Credit: UN Climate Change

Publication date: June 2016.

Access the summary note here.

Link to the event here.

Abstract

This note summarizes key challenges, risks and lessons learned for addressing non-economic losses, highlighted at a side event organized by the WIM ExCom during SB 44 in May 2016.

Key challenges identified by participants included difficulties in monetizing non-economic losses (NELs) for integration into decision-making, the lack of standardized measurements, and the context-dependent valuation of losses across cultures and communities. Burden-sharing poses additional complexities, with vulnerable populations disproportionately affected due to governance and funding gaps. The interplay of multiple climate drivers, uncertainty about future impacts, and the inevitability of some losses further complicate efforts to respond to NELs.

Lessons learned emphasized the importance of multi-criteria decision analysis tools, inclusive and context-specific approaches, and capacity-building to manage long-term impacts. The role of education, particularly in protecting indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage, was highlighted as essential. Suggestions to the WIM ExCom for advancing the work on NELs included catalyzing action at national and international levels, improving data collection and research, and synthesizing and communicating knowledge related to NELs.

The aim of the  event was to:

• Raise awareness and understanding of the nature and extent of NELs;
• Put a spotlight on some of the challenges and risks that NELs pose to developing countries;
• Highlight some of the lessons learned associated with addressing NELs, including how to integrate measures to reduce the risk of NELs in comprehensive approaches to address loss and damage.