The first meeting of the Board of the new Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) will take place from 30 April to 2 May 2024 at Abu Dhabi Energy Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Ahead of that meeting, over 340 organizations around the world have addressed the Board to urge that it establish procedures for meaningful participation of right holders and civil society concerned with the impacts associated with climate change. For its part, HIC-HLRN also has urged the interim Transitional Committee recommend a path toward such meaningful participation and community-led determination of the values at stake as the subject of remedy and reparations within the framework of the relevant international law norms. Follow is the text of the collective letter to the LDF Board.
To: Members of the Board of the Fund for Loss and Damage
Cc: UNFCCC Secretariat
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
UN Campus | Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1
53113 Bonn | Germany
29 April 2024
Dear Members of the Loss and Damage Fund Board,
We would like to express deep concern regarding limits to the participation of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the upcoming first Board Meeting of the Fund for Loss and Damage under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). We believe these restrictions not only set a harmful precedent, but also run in conflict with the commitment to promote and safeguard meaningful public and stakeholder participation and access to information. These principles are reiterated in several international legal frameworks and reaffirmed in both the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
Civil society organizations play a vital role in representing the voices and interests of marginalized communities who are disproportionately suffering from massive losses and damages. The Fund for Loss and Damage Board should be enhancing the participation of civil society in these critical discussions, instead the allocation of seats for CSOs at the first Board Meeting of the Fund for Loss and Damage is significantly more restricted than the space currently afforded at the Green Climate Fund Board meetings.
Two representatives per UNFCCC constituency to attend and observe is severely limited and does not ensure meaningful and active participation. It excludes groups, such as climate refugees or people living with disabilities, who lack formal representation in the UNFCCC process but are among those worst affected by losses and damages. This arrangement is particularly challenging for the ENGO observer constituency, which comprises two extensive networks (DCJ and CAN) with thousands of member organizations worldwide. Limiting them to one representative each not only undermines the principles of inclusivity and democratic participation but also disregards the complexity and diversity of voices these networks represent.
In light of this, we urge the Members of the Board and the interim Secretariat to take immediate steps to ensure that the Fund for Loss and Damage include the following:
We cannot emphasize enough how CSO participation in this space is essential to ensure that the outcomes are equitable and responsive to the needs of those most impacted. We implore you to take immediate actions and ensure that the first Board meetings are conducted in a transparent, inclusive, and accountable manner. The urgency of addressing climate change demands no less.
Signed and endorsed by 342 national, regional and international organizations worldwide:
International Organizations
Accountability Counsel
ActionAid
Amnesty International
Anti-Slavery International
CARE International
Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR)
Center for International Environmental Law
Climate Action Network International
Climate Refugees
Franciscans International
Global Afrodescendant Climate Justice Collaborative
Global North and South Movement
Global Witness
GreenFaith
Habitat International Coalition
Hivos
International Accountability Project
International Trade Union Confederation
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
International Transport Workers Federation
LDC Watch
Oil Change International
Oxfam
Passionists International
Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary NGO
Third World Network
Transparency International
Women`s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO)
World`s Youth for Climate Justice
WWF International
Friends of the Earth International
Regional Organizations
African Coalition on Green Growth (ACGG)
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development
Asian Peoples` Movement on Debt and Development
ATHENA Network
Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI)
Centre for Climatology and Applied Research
Climate Action Network Europe
Climate Action Network Latin America
Climate Action Network South Asia
Corporación Sihyta
East African Budget Network
Emmaus International
Eurodad - European Network on Debt and Development
Focus on the Global South
Greenpeace Southeast Asia
Habitat Defenders Africa
Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA)
Mhakwe Heritage Foundation Trust
Migrant Forum in Asia
Natural Justice
NGO Forum on ADB
Regional Advocacy for Women’s Sustainable Advancement
Rejoice Africa Foundation
South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE)
Sustainable Development Institute
Sustainable Development Institute (SDI)
National Organizations
Afghanistan
Sanayee Development Organization
Argentina
Frente Sindicalnde Acción Climática
Armenia
Armenian Forests Environmental NGO
Australia
ActionAid Australia
Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC)
Climate Action Network Australia
Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education
Austria
Coordination Office of the Austrian Bishops` Conference for International Development and Mission (KOO)
Bangladesh
Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association
Bangladesh Krishok Federation
Campaign For Good Governance
Global Law Thinkers Society (GLTS)
International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) - Independent University (IUB)
Voices for Interactive Choice and Empowerment
Centre for Environment, Human Rights & Development Forum (CEHRDF)
International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD)
Voices for Interactive Choice and Empowerment
Waterkeepers Bangladesh
Belgium
11.11.11
CNCDCoopération Internationale pour le Développement et la Solidarité (CIDSE)
Benin
Amis de l`Afrique Francophone- Benin (AMAF-BENIN)
Bolivia
Reaccion Climatica
Botswana
Botswana Khwedom Council
Southern Africa Climate Change Coalition
Southern Africa Region Climate Action Network
Brazil
Gender and Economics Research Center NPGE
Climate Observatory
Burundi
Dukingire Isi Yacu (DIY)
Solidarite Des Femmes Pour Le Bien Etre Social Et Le Progress Au Burundi
Cameroon
Cadire Cameroon Association (CCA)
Planet One -Mboa Hub
Pathways for Women`s Empowerment and Development/Integrated Agricultural Training Center (PaWED-IATC)
Women for a Change
Canada
Peace Track Initiative
Chad
International helping for the young
Chile
Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (GI-ESCR)
Colombia
ASOMI
Barranquilla+20 Foundation
Enda Colombia
Fundación victimas vulnerables mujeres Afro independientes (FUNVIMUFROIN)
Warmillak Ay
Comoros
Maison des Organisations de la Société Civile (MOSC) Anjouan - Comores
Costa Rica
Asociación La Ruta del Clima
MARBE SA
Côte d`Ivoire
Association Jeunes Agriculteurs (AJA)
Democratic Republic of Congo
Action Jeunesse pour le Développement
Actions Communautaires Pour Le Development Integral
Agir Pour La Seurite Et La Souverainte Alimentaire (ASSA)
Alternative des Jeunes pour la préservation et la conservation des Ecosystèmes, de la Biodiversité et l’Environnement pour le Développement Durable Aube Nouvelle pour la Femme et le Développement ANFD non-profit NGO
Coalition Climat pour la Biodiversité et le Développement
Innovation pour le Développement et la Protection de l`Environnement
Innovation pour le Développement et la Protection de l`Environnement
Julienne Lusenge
Ligue Pour La Solidarite Congolaise
Organisation Paysanne Pour le Développement Durable
Reseau sur le Changement Climatique RDC
Solidarité des Femmes sur le Fleuve Congo
Solidarité Féminine pour la Paix et le Développement Intégral (SOFEPADI)
Denmark
ActionAid Denmark
Danish 92 Group
Danish Family Planning Association
Forests of the World
Global Focus
Økologisk Landsforening/Organic Denmark
Oxfam Denmark
Egypt
Elseidi law firm
Housing and Land Rights Network-Habitat International Coalition
El Carbe
Fundación Etnica Integral
Ethiopia
Union of Ethiopian Women and Children Associations (UEWCA)
FijiDiverse Voices and Action (DIVA) for Equality
House of Colors Labasa
Pacific Conference of Churches
Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN)
France
Secours catholique Caritas France
The Gambia
Kaiaraba Conservation and Leadership Organization
Germany
Brot für die Welt
Germanwatch
Office against Discrimination, Racism and Intolerance (ODRI)
Ghana
Africa Women Leaders Network, Ghana (AWLN)
AbibiNsroma Foundation
Guiné-Bissau
UNTG-CS
Organisation pour la Protection de l`Environnement Guinéen OPEG
Carbone Guinée
Haiti
Groupe de Réflexion et d`Initiative pour l`Avancement de la Grand`Anse (GRIAG)
Vwa Fanm Ayisyen (VFA)
India
All India women`s hawker federation
Indian National Trade Union Congress-INTUC
Lok Shakti Abhiyan
Mineral Inheritors Rights Association
Mines mineral and people
Nadi Ghati Morcha - India
National Hawker Federation
People for Himalayan Development
Self Employed Women`s Association (SEWA)
Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Centre
Indonesia
Aksi! for gender, social and ecological justice
Gema Alam NTB
Ireland
Christian Aid Ireland
Italy
Italian Climate Network
Rinascimento Green
Jordan
International Organization for the Oneness of the Arab Peoples
Kenya
Africa Nature Solutions Trust (ANASOT)
Africa Climate and Health Alliance
Climate Action Network Africa
Emonyo Yefwe International
Endorois Indigenous Women Empowerment Network
Endorois Welfare Council (EWC)
Gender Links Kenya
Global River Protection Coalition Africa
Jumuiya Women Fund
Keiyo Women Trust
Kisumu Social Rights Association (KISORA)
OilWatch Africa
Ruth Rotich & Company Advocates
Wagai Environmental Science and Development Programme
Liberia
Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia
Luxembourg
Action Solidarité Tiers Monde (ASTM)
Madagascar
GREEN
Malaysia
SAVE Rivers
Mali
Association de Solidarte d’Aide et Action Enfance Mali
Marshall Islands
Kora Fund Marshall Islands
Women United Together Marshall Islands
Mauritanie
Association du Développement et de la Promotion de Droits de l`Homme
Mexico
Asamblea Ecologista Popular
Equidad de Género: Ciudadanía, Trabajo y Familia
Mongolia
Oyu Tolgoi Watch
Rivers without Boundaries Coalition
Mozambique
Group for Development of Women and Girls
Myanmar
ALTSEAN-Burma
Nepal
All Nepal Peasants` Federation (ANPFa)
Digo Bikas Institute (DBI)
Food Sovereignty and Climate Justice Forum
General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions
Nepal Development Initiative
Rural Reconstruction Nepal (RRN)
The Institute for Study and Development Worldwide (IFSD)
Women Empowerment Against Poverty of Nepal (WEAPoN)
The Netherlands
Both ENDS
Niger
Association Kandili
Association Nigerienne des Scouts de l’Environnement ANSEN
Nigeria
Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice(ANEEJ)
Centre for 21st Century Issues
Centre for Renewable Energy and Action on Climate Change
Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)
Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative (GERI)
Green leaf Advocacy and Empowerment Center
Nigeria Labour Congress
Village Farmers Initiative (VFI)
North Macedonia
Journalists for Human Rights
Norway
Changemaker (Norway)
Debt Justice Norway
New Women Connectors
Norwegian Church Aid
The Norwegian Forum for Development and Environment
Pakistan
Alternative Law Collective
Bedari
Hisaar Foundation
Pakaid
Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum
Policy Research Institute for Equitable Development (PRIED)
Sukaar Welfare Organization
Papua New Guinea
Tulele Peisa Inc.
Peru
Central Autónoma de Trabajadores del Perú
Karen Casallo
Movimiento ciudadano frente al cambio climático
Philippines
Aksyon Klima Pilipinas
Centre for Sustainability PH
Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC)
National Food Coalition
Oriang Philippines
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
SANLAKAS Philippines
Tebtebba Foundation
The Climate Reality Project Philippines
Scotland
Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund
Senegal
Carbone Guinee
Reseau De Communication Et De Developpement Des Femmes Senegalaises
Réseau De Communication Et D’Information Du Senegal
Sierra Leone
Budget Advocacy Network
Reachout Salone
South Africa
Solar for Climate Justice
South African Youth Climate Change Coalition
South Korea
Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC)
Transparency International Korea Chapter
South Sudan
National Women Empowerment and Rehabilitation organisation
Human Rights and Legal Aid
Sri Lanka
Centre for Environmental Justice
Swaziland
Swaziland Transport, Communication and Allied Workers Union (SWATCAWU)
Switzerland
Quaker United Nations Office
Tanzania
CSYM -MBUENET MTANDAO CoalitionsGreener Tanzania Livelihood Organisation
Manyara Region Network ECD
MBUGONET
Thailand
Climate Watch Thailand
Sustainable Development Foundation
Togo
Misère Option Zéro (MOZ)
Uganda
Akina Mama Wa Afrika
Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union
Bio Vision Africa (BiVA)
Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment & Management (CECIC)
Disability Peoples Forum Uganda
Migrant Workers Voice
National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE)
Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information Negotiations Institute
United Kingdom
ActionAid UK
Debt Justice UK
Equal Rights
Gender and Development Network (GADN)
Global Justice Now
International Transport Workers` Federation
National Education Union
Stamp Out Poverty
Trades Union Congress
War on Want
United States
Accelerate Neighborhood Climate Action
Bank Information Center
Businesses for a Livable Climate
Call to Action Colorado
Casa Generalizia della Societa del Sacro Cuore
CatholicNetwork US
Climate and Community Project
Climate Generation
Climate Rights International
Colorado Businesses for a Livable Climate
Community for Sustainable Energy
Company of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Pault de Paul
Dominican Leadership Conference
Friends of the Earth US
Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance
Green House Connection Center
Hawaii Institute for Human Rights
Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington, DC
Indivisible Ambassadors
Interstate 70 Citizens Advisory Group
Justice Is Global
Larimer Alliance for Health, Safety, & Environment
Littleton Business AllianceLoretto Community (Sisters of Loretto)
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Mayfair Park Neighborhood Association
Mental Health & Inclusion Ministries
Mind`s Eye Productions
Montbello Neighborhood Improvement Association
North Range Concerned Citizens
Our Sacred Earth
RapidShift Network
Save the Environmental Protection Agency
Small Business Alliance
Southwest Organization for Sustainability
Spirit of the Sun
System Change Not Climate Change
Texas Campaign for the Environment
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
Unite North Metro Denver
Wall of Women
Western Slope Businesses for a Livable Climate
Womxn from the Mountain
Working for Racial Equity
Vietnam
ActionAid Vietnam
Yemen
The Center of Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Zambia
Civil Society SDGs Campaign GCAP Zambia
Climate Action Network Zambia
The Abel Musumali Foundation
Zambia Social Forum
Zimbabwe
Climate Action Network Zimbabwe
Emmaus International
Zimbabwe Climate Change Coalition
Zimbabwe People’s Land Rights Movement
