By Amie Marie Flora DUSHIMUMUKIZA
The realities of climate change continue to escalate, posing unprecedented challenges to communities around the globe. The impacts of the climate crisis are no longer a distant threat but a pressing global issue that demands urgent attention and action. From rising sea levels and extreme weather events to biodiversity loss and food insecurity, the effects of climate change are being felt in every corner of the world. This year was reported as the hottest year ever, demonstrating the temperature increase which was revealed to be fuelled by the greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere – curbing those emissions is among the discussions on the negotiation table to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. People and communities in the Global South have been experiencing devastating effects of climate change, escalating daily in terms of economic and non-economic loss and damage from climate change. Due to the inadequacy of mitigation and adaptation approaches, developing countries on the frontlines of climate change are experiencing loss and damage, thus there is an urgent need to address it. While addressing loss and damage from climate change and meeting the needs of communities on the ground facing its impacts, numerous crucial aspects demand attention. They include new, additional, adequate, predictable and grant-based finance dedicated to addressing loss and damage, capacity building, and technical assistance among many others. This blog is primarily focused on shedding light on the technical assistance provided through the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage (SNLD). It also explores the involvement of youth in benefiting and delivering such technical assistance.
Understanding the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage
In the 2019 review of the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM), developing countries demanded to enhance and strengthen the action and support of vulnerable communities during and after the climate crisis. In this regard, Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), at its 25th Conference of Parties (COP 25) in 2019 in Madrid decided to establish the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage as part of the WIM for averting, minimising and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change with a mandate to catalyse the technical assistance of relevant organisations, bodies, networks and experts (OBNEs) for the implementation of relevant approaches at the local, national and regional level in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. The SNLD will link vulnerable developing nations with providers of technical assistance, expertise, and resources needed to tackle climate risks effectively, focusing on averting, minimising, and addressing loss and damage through its functions which were agreed upon in Glasgow in 2021 such as catalysing demand-driven technical assistance including of relevant OBNEs for the implementation of relevant approaches and facilitating, through catalysing technical assistance, of member OBNEs, access to action and support (finance, technology and capacity building) among others. At COP 27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, Parties established the network’s institutional arrangements, including a hosted secretariat, an Advisory Board (AB), and a network of member OBNEs.
Milestones in the operationalisation of the Santiago Network
The journey towards full operationalisation of the network was undertaken in the three meetings of the AB. The first meeting of AB (SNAB1) held in Geneva marked a significant step in operationalising the network including the selection of two Co-Chairs to serve for one year, the work plan and annual budget for 2024 were adopted and also Geneva, Switzerland was selected as the location of the head office of the Santiago network secretariat. Updates regarding the selection of the secretariat’s director, the progress of the draft guidelines documents such as those on preventing potential conflicts of interest, and rules of procedure were provided at the SNAB2. Additionally, during the meeting, AB adopted the guidelines for the designation of OBNEs to participate in providing technical assistance. The SNAB3 marked a milestone in the fully operational network with key outcomes such as the approval of essential guidelines for handling requests for technical support, managing funding, and addressing potential conflicts of interest just to name a few. Furthermore, Carolina Fuentes was appointed as the director of the Santiago Network, set to begin her role in November 2024. SNLD plays a crucial role in addressing loss and damage associated with climate change by focusing on catalysing the needed technical assistance. Adequate funding is essential for effective technical assistance and the implementation of all related operations. Currently, the amount pledged for the operationalisation of SNLD’s work is US$40.7 million, with US7.8 million received as contributions. It is important to convert the remaining pledges into contributions as soon as possible to further the work of the network.
Factors to consider in providing technical assistance
Technical assistance needed by vulnerable developing countries refers to the technical support and services provided to communities that are disproportionately affected by climate change. Technical assistance will be provided in response to specific demands through a country-led process, focusing on the needs and priorities of vulnerable and Indigenous communities. For this to be effective, it is crucial to consider the involvement of local stakeholders, capacity-building efforts, cost-effectiveness, collaboration with the local government and respect for cultural practices of the vulnerability to improve resilience. The type of technical assistance will vary depending on the project, the nature of impacts, and available risk assessment tools. Needs will differ between Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). SIDS, in particular, face unique challenges due to their low-lying coastlines, resource limitations, and reliance on the ocean, making them especially vulnerable to climate change.
Youth’s involvement in providing technical assistance
Technical assistance will be facilitated by various organisations, bodies, networks, and experts who are members of SNLD. Youth involvement in providing technical assistance to communities on the climate crisis’s frontline is crucial and transformative. Like other network members, young people are energetic and bring fresh perspectives, innovative and creative solutions, and a sense of urgency to climate action. Youth-led organizations are already playing a role in advocating for prioritising climate justice, often collaborating with local and international agencies in awareness raising within the frontline communities about climate risks and adaptation approaches. The influential efforts of these young climate advocates inspire governments, communities, and civil societies to take immediate action. Furthermore, empowering youth to participate in providing technical assistance not only benefits developing countries in addressing loss and damage but also fosters a sense of global responsibility and collaboration among the younger generation in developing leadership skills and a deep understanding of climate policy, gaining real-world experience by developing problem-solving skills and so on. In addition, their engagement contributes to building a more inclusive and effective response to the climate challenges faced by developing nations.
Next steps
In the ever-changing landscape of Loss and Damage discussions, including the Santiago network which will catalyse technical assistance, the youth have demonstrated their unique approach to climate activities at all levels including on the ground and working with local communities in vulnerable countries and actively engaging in creating awareness through innovative and creative processes. Addressing loss and damage associated with climate change through the SNLD is vital for vulnerable developing nations. The provision of technical assistance, adequate funding, and the involvement of youth are crucial elements in effectively tackling the adverse effects of climate change. As we look forward to the 29th Conference of Parties (COP 29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, it is imperative to prioritise discussions and actions aimed at furthering the work of SNLD and addressing the urgent needs of communities facing climate impacts. Furthermore, it’s crucial to foster global collaboration and youth involvement in providing technical assistance, promoting innovative and transformative solutions to address climate risks as well as encouraging discussions and commitments to convert remaining pledges into contributions for the operationalisation of SNLD, ensuring effective implementation of its functions.
About The Author
Amie Marie Flora DUSHIMUMUKIZA is a water and environmental engineer. She is a member of the Loss and Damage Youth Coalition, an advocacy working group. Her passion for addressing climate change has led her to collaborate with fellow youth in advocating for climate justice, driven by her vision of creating a world with thriving and resilient communities