9 March, 2016

Non-economic loss and damage in the context of climate change: understanding the challenges

Authors

Olivia Serdeczny (Climate Analytics), Eleanor Waters (Munich Climate Insurance Initiative/ United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security), Dr. Sander Chan (German Development Institute)

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The concept of non-economic loss and damage (NELD) captures the impacts of climate change that are hard to quantify and often go unnoticed by the outside world, such as the loss of traditional ways of living, cultural heritage and biodiversity. It also encapsulates losses whose valuation raises ethical concerns – loss of life and human health. This discussion paper offers a clarification of the concept and analyses the challenges in addressing NELD.

Loss and damage

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