Others were less optimistic.
“It is a dark day for climate justice as rich countries turn their backs on vulnerable communities,” said Harjeet Singh, head of global political strategy at the nonprofit Climate Action Network International.
“Rich countries (…) have not only coerced developing nations into accepting the World Bank as host of the Loss and Damage Fund, but have also shirked their duty to lead the provision of financial assistance to those communities.” and countries”
The committee also recommended that developed countries be urged to continue supporting the fund, but did not resolve whether rich nations would be under a strict financial obligation to do so.
“We regret that the text does not reflect consensus on the need to clarify the voluntary nature of the contributions,” a US State Department official told Reuters.
The United States attempted to include a footnote clarifying that any contributions to the fund would be voluntary, but the committee chair would not allow it. The United States opposed that refusal.
Sultan al-Jaber, who will chair the COP28 talks, said he welcomed the committee’s recommendations and that they would pave the way for reaching an agreement at COP28.