Developing nations await resolution as COP28 addresses unfinished business on climate compensation
A significant agenda item from last year's United Nations-led climate talks in Egypt, a fund to compensate developing nations for climate change impacts, still needs to be solved as COP28 convenes in Dubai. Reports from various regions highlight the urgent need for compensation, emphasising the disproportionate impact on vulnerable nations.
The aftermath of this year's devastating monsoon season in India serves as a poignant example. Sunil Kumar, a waste collector in Himachal Pradesh, saw his home and 14 others washed away, leaving communities in despair. The severity of the monsoons resulted in 428 deaths and over $1.42 billion in property damage in the region, underscoring the urgent need for support.
Beyond India, climate-related disasters have affected nations such as Libya and several African countries, exemplifying the vulnerability of developing nations to extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. Activists stress that these disasters emphasise the disproportionate burden nations with historically lower greenhouse gas emissions face.
As COP28 unfolds, the unresolved issue of compensating developing nations for climate change impacts takes centre stage, highlighting the pressing need for international collaboration and financial support to address the challenges faced by the most vulnerable countries.