Loss and Damage

Loss and damage as a concept, refers to the harm caused by anthropogenic climate change that cannot be prevented through mitigation or adaptation. It also designates an emergent field of climate policy addressing these negative impacts. Loss and damage can result from sudden climate related disasters as from more slowly unfolding consequences of global warming. The field of climate policy distinguishes between economic loss and damage and non-economic loss and damage. The debates over how to address loss and damage remain contentious, reflecting tensions between climate justice approaches and technocratic market-based approaches.