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Loss and Damage from Climate Change: Knowledge Gaps and Interdisciplinary Approaches

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  • Heiko Balzter

    (School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, Space Park Leicester, 92 Corporation Road, Leicester LE4 5SP, UK
    National Centre for Earth Observation, University of Leicester, Space Park Leicester, 92 Corporation Road, Leicester LE4 5SP, UK)

  • Mateus Macul

    (School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, Space Park Leicester, 92 Corporation Road, Leicester LE4 5SP, UK)

  • Beth Delaney

    (School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, Space Park Leicester, 92 Corporation Road, Leicester LE4 5SP, UK)

  • Kevin Tansey

    (School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, Space Park Leicester, 92 Corporation Road, Leicester LE4 5SP, UK)

  • Fernando Espirito-Santo

    (School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, Space Park Leicester, 92 Corporation Road, Leicester LE4 5SP, UK)

  • Chidiebere Ofoegbu

    (School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, Space Park Leicester, 92 Corporation Road, Leicester LE4 5SP, UK)

  • Sergei Petrovskii

    (School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK)

  • Bernhard Forchtner

    (School of Media Communication and Sociology, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK)

  • Nicholes Nicholes

    (School of Media Communication and Sociology, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK)

  • Emilio Payo

    (Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, Space Park Leicester, 92 Corporation Road, Leicester LE4 5SP, UK)

  • Pat Heslop-Harrison

    (Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK)

  • Moya Burns

    (School of Biological Sciences, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK)

  • Laura Basell

    (School of Archaeology and Ancient History, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK)

  • Ella Egberts

    (School of Archaeology and Ancient History, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK)

  • Emma Stockley

    (School of Archaeology and Ancient History, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK)

  • Molly Desorgher

    (School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK)

  • Caroline Upton

    (School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK)

  • Mick Whelan

    (School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK)

  • Ayse Yildiz

    (School of Business, Institute for Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, Brookfield, London Road, Leicester LE2 7RH, UK)

Abstract

Loss and damage from climate change have risen to a prominent position on the international agenda. At COP27 in 2022, the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) ratified a decision to establish a loss and damage fund to compensate low- and middle-income countries that are suffering negative impacts from climate change. The fund is meant to address the Global Adaptation Gap, which describes the rising cost of adaptation needed to cope with climate change impacts due to delayed action to curb greenhouse gas emissions and remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. This essay highlights issues around loss and damage from climate change from a variety of natural and social science perspectives. From three months of discussions, an interdisciplinary perspective and research agenda on this topic have crystallised, which is outlined here. Given that the implementation of the loss and damage fund still needs negotiation and commitment from signatories to the UNFCCC, it is timely now to address some important knowledge gaps on how loss and damage can be measured, quantified, valued, understood, communicated, and adapted to. Hence, it is necessary to understand the complex interactions between people, politics, nature, and climate in this interdisciplinary context.

Suggested Citation

  • Heiko Balzter & Mateus Macul & Beth Delaney & Kevin Tansey & Fernando Espirito-Santo & Chidiebere Ofoegbu & Sergei Petrovskii & Bernhard Forchtner & Nicholes Nicholes & Emilio Payo & Pat Heslop-Harris, 2023. "Loss and Damage from Climate Change: Knowledge Gaps and Interdisciplinary Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:15:p:11864-:d:1208684
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    References listed on IDEAS

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