Loss and damage in COP25

The 25th Conference of the Parties (COP25) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was held from 2 to 13 December 2019. No agreement could be reached on the rules governing international carbon markets and, as a result, the negotiations on this matter were postponed. With regard to two of the remaining negotiating issues – future emission-reduction commitments by parties, and climate finance for developing countries –, the agreements reached at COP25 fell far short of the expectations.

Although disappointed about the stalemate, many among the smallest and most vulnerable countries committed to upping the level of ambition of their national plans, calling on all UNFCCC parties to follow suit. Further, these countries requested that existing commitments related to climate finance are followed through, and progress on loss and damage is made.

This note outlines the agreements reached during COP25 in the area of loss and damage. The description is based on the text of the various decision drafts, accessed from the UNFCCC website in the week of 16 December 2019. Further, the description draws on both informal exchanges in which the authors were involved and the exchanges between negotiators during COP25.