Decades of rampant extraction and burning of fossil fuels by the world’s wealthiest countries, as well as failure to take the action necessary to reduce emissions, have driven increasingly frequent and catastrophic climate impacts.

The poorest, who have done the least to cause the problem, are paying the price. Poverty and a deepening debt crisis mean poor countries struggle to respond.

We need rich countries and big polluters to fund global climate action now!

At the last UN climate conference (COP27) in Egypt there was a historic agreement to finally establish a new Loss and Damage Fund to support countries on the frontlines of the climate crisis to recover and rebuild in the immediate and long-term aftermath of climate disasters.

However, there is a lot of work to be done at this years climate conference (COP28 in UAE) taking place in late November and early December. Although the decision to establish the Loss and Damage fund was a historic first step, it remains an empty bucket.

Latest estimates suggest that loss and damage financing needs in developing countries could reach US$290-580 billion by 2030.

The Irish and UK governments urgently need to play their part by:

- Setting up a new Loss and Damage Fund based on climate justice principles.

- Fill the fund with new, additional, predictable, adequate and grant based finance consistent with our fair share of the global effort needed:

              o Christian Aid estimates Ireland’s fair share to be at least €1.5 billion by 2030*

              o Christian Aid estimates the UK’s fair share to be $10-20 billion by 2030**

- Supporting a Loss and Damage Fund that will respect, protect and promote human rights, and be gender-transformative to ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable are prioritised.

 

*For more details on the Irish estimated fair share read our Loss and Damage report .

**For more details on the UK estimated fair share read our MP briefing.

To truly love our neighbours, we must prophetically call for bold climate action. Please take action today. Copy and paste our template letter and email it to your TD if you live in the Republic of Ireland or your MP if you live in Northern Ireland.

You can find your TD’s contact details here.

You can find your MP’s contact details here.

Download our TD template letter here.

Download our MP template letter here.

If you are in Northern Ireland, please join us on Saturday 9th December in Belfast for a demonstration in support of climate justice. We’ll be joining with other local organisations as well as thousands in different locations across the world to call for action at the COP28. It would be great to see you there.

Saturday 9 December, 1pm - Writers Square, Cathedral Quarter