Loss and Damage: Samoa Pathway and the 2030 Agenda

UN-OHRLLS intends on continuing its engagement with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and all stakeholders on the issue of Loss and Damage at COP24, building on the High-level Event titled: LOSS & DAMAGE & the 2030 Agenda “BUILDING STRONG LINKAGES” it co-organised with UNDESA at COP23 in Bonn, Germany.

To sustain the political emphasis on Loss and Damage at this important moment in the climate negotiations, the event at COP24 will focus on conveying clear strong messages on the evidence base of loss and damage, including in the context of the findings of the IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C. This would include a presentation drawing from the IPCC´s Special Report on 1.5°C and latest peer-reviewed science, on observed extreme events (e.g. hurricanes, droughts) and risk of future loss and damage as well as their impacts on the achievement of the SDGs in SIDS.

To ensure relevance to the negotiations process, the event will stress the importance, in particular for SIDS, of the reflection of loss and damage, including in the context of the findings of the IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C, in the main expected outcomes of COP24, including the Paris Agreement rulebook.

The event, through a moderated high-level discussion, will also continue to build on the linkages between the climate negotiations process and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, while taking account of the preparations for the Mid-Term Review of the SAMOA Pathway and the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Summit, which is to take place in September 2019.

Expected outcomes

This High-Level Event is expected to:

• Provide an update and deepen understanding on latest science on current and projected loss and damage;
• Establish the linkages between the 1.5°C temperature limit, the achievement of the SDGs and loss and damage;
• Highlight possible ways of reflecting advancing science into the negotiations; and
• Strengthen the linkages between the implementation of Paris Agreement, the SAMOA Pathway and the 2030 Agenda.

Collaborating partners

Building on the momentum from COP23, the following Governments and Organisations are proposed to be the collaborating partners for this High-level Event:

• UN-OHRLLS
• UN-DESA
• Fiji
• Poland
• AOSIS
• Climate Analytics