‘Bangladesh's lead crucial for LDCs' position to develop framework for LDFF’

Civil society organisations (CSOs) recommended the government lead the LDC’s position to develop the framework on Loss & Damage Financing Facility [LDFF] in the climate discourse leading up to CoP 28.

Saving the interests of LDCs [Least Developed Countries] and MVCs [Most Vulnerable Countries] are crucial in LDFF where Bangladesh can play an effective role using the leadership experience of CVF [Climate Vulnerable Forum] and V-20 [Vulnerable 20 group] they opined.

A press conference titled "CoP 27 Outcome: Bangladesh's lead is crucial framing the Loss & Damage Financing Facility" was held at the national press club on Monday, where representatives from CSOs participated in the CoP 27 global climate conference.

The conference was attended by Md Ziaul Hoque Mukta, CSRL (Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihood), Md Shamsuddoha, CPRD (Centre for Participatory Research and Development), and Mrs. Rabeya Begum (CANSA-BD).

The press conference was moderated by M. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of the COAST Foundation and the keynote was presented by Aminul Hoque from EquityBD.

Aminul Hoque said that the declaration of the LDFF is a significant victory, but there is a limited scope for self-complacence for LDCs until an effective framework is developed, followed by pro-poor and justice based.

He chastised developed countries and the CoP presidency for delivering a complicated and tricky text on LDFF and failing to mention the names of LDCs and SIDCs in the final declaration of those who have long contributed to and fought for losses and financing.

He demanded:

• Bangladesh should have a lead role for LDCs positioning in the upcoming discourse and negotiations for developing the framework of LDFF
• The LDFF framework must be developed, followed by rich countries' historical responsibility for global warming, which has resulted in massive loss and damage for LDCs and MVCs.
• Bangladesh should pressure developed countries to revise their NDC [National Determined Contribution] targeting 50 per cent emission reduction by 2030
• LDCs Representation must be included in the ad-hoc committee on NCQG [New Collective & Quantified Goal] process that will serve pro-poor interest on future climate financing.

Shamsuddoha opines that declaration of Loss and Damage Financing is somehow very tricky and linked conditions on mitigation actions.

The decision text emphasises keeping the global average temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius meaning that the countries need to increase their emission reduction targets in the future to get LDFF support. This is very controversial and political divergence may arise between developing countries and LDCs focusing on the issues of definition of vulnerabilities, set priority financing to LDCs, etc. to develop the LDFF.

"Developed countries can take the opportunities and delay the process with the inclusion of conditionalities. So our government should be cautious and steps accordingly."

Ziaul Hoque Mukta chastised CoP 27 for failing to produce meaningful results in meeting the 1.5-degree target.He said the current discourse on reducing global temperature is 40 years behind the science suggested.

"Achieving a 1.5-degree goal is very important and big polluters did nothing. In the case of the so-called "Phase Down" concept, many European countries have resumed carbon emissions and coal-fired power plants.This trend is unaccepted and must be stopped creating pressure from UNFCCC."

Mrs. Rabeya Begum put emphasis on more initiatives on climate change issues at the national and international level in the context of obscure solutions to MVC's issues and collaborative efforts from CSOs and the government can strengthen our voice indeed.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury emphasised a new LDC, MVC, and Climate Vulnerable Forum negotiation stream in the next CoPs [Conference of the Parties] to strengthen the unified voice, particularly on LDFF issues.