COP27 Loss and Damage Finance Facility a down payment on climate justice


Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt – WEBWIRE



Greenpeace welcomes the COP27 agreement to establish a Loss and Damage Finance Fund as an important foundation in building towards climate justice. But, warns against politics as usual.



Yeb Saño, Executive Director, Greenpeace Southeast Asia and Head of the Greenpeace delegation attending the COP said


“The agreement for a Loss and Damage Finance Fund marks a new dawn for climate justice. Governments have laid the cornerstone of a long overdue new fund to deliver vital support to vulnerable countries and communities who are already being devastated by the accelerating climate crisis.”



“Well into overtime these negotiations have been marred by attempts to trade adaptation and mitigation against loss and damage. In the end they were pulled back from the precipice by the concerted effort of developing countries standing firm and by climate activists’ demands for the blockers to step up.”


“The inspiration we can draw from the successful establishment of the loss and damage fund in Sharm El-Sheikh is that if we have a long enough lever, we can move the world, and today that lever is the solidarity among civil society, frontline communities, and developing countries most impacted by the climate crisis.”



“Moving forward into discussion of the details of the Fund, we need to ensure that the countries and corporations most responsible for the climate crisis make the biggest contribution. That means new and additional finance for developing countries and climate vulnerable communities not just for loss and damage, but for adaptation and mitigation too. Developed countries must make good on the existing US $100bn per year pledge to support low income countries to deliver carbon-cutting policies and increase resilience to climate impacts. They must also implement their commitment to at least double funding for adaptation.”


“Encouragingly, a large number of countries from north and south voiced their strong support for phasing out all fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas – which is what implementing the Paris Agreement will take. But they were ignored by the Egyptian COP Presidency. Petro-states and a small army of fossil fuel lobbyists were out in force in Sharm el-Sheikh to make sure that it did not happen. In the end, if all fossil fuels are not rapidly phased out no amount of money will be able to cover the cost of the resulting loss and damage. It is that simple. When your bathtub is overflowing you turn off the taps, you don’t wait a while and then go out and buy a bigger mop!”


“Tackling climate change and promoting climate justice is not a zero sum game. It’s not about winners and losers. Either we make progress on all fronts or we all lose. It must be remembered that nature does not negotiate, nature does not compromise.”



“Today’s victory for people power on loss and damage must be translated into renewed action to expose climate action blockers, push for bolder policies to end our dependence on fossil fuels, boost renewables, and support a just transition. Only then can greater strides towards climate justice be taken.”


Images from COP27 can be found in the Greenpeace Media Library.

Hong Kong – Sewage pipe damage in Tin Shui Wai

Sewage pipe damage in Tin Shui Wai

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     ​The Drainage Services Department (DSD) today (July 24) said that at Tin Shing Road near Tin Lung Road, Tin Shui Wai, a sewer of about 4 meters below ground and about 30 centimetres in diameter, was damaged.



     As the DSD is carrying out emergency rectification works, the concerned road section needs to be cordoned off. To prevent sewage from overflowing to the road at the upstream locations of the damaged pipe, the DSD has carried out urgent sewage diversion measures, including the arrangement of pumps to transfer the sewage to the nearest sewage treatment facilities by tankers. In the case sewage flow exceeds the capacity of the tankers during peak flow, small amount of sewage might require to temporary divert to the nearby public stormwater drains. The temporary measures will cease upon completion of works. Since the Hong Kong Wetland Park is located downstream of the public stormwater drains, the DSD has immediately notified both the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). 



     The EPD has immediately conducted on-site investigation of the downstream stormwater drains. During the investigation, no more sewage was found discharging to the public stormwater drains, indicating the emergency repair works of the DSD has effectively prevented sewage from flowing into the public stormwater drains. The AFCD has yet to find that the Hong Kong Wetland Park has been affected by the incident.

PM reviews damage due to cyclone Yaas

On Friday, 28th May 2021, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Odisha & West Bengal to review the situation arising out of Cyclone Yaas. He undertook an aerial survey of the cyclone affected areas in Bhadrak and Baleswar districts of Odisha, and Purba Medinipur in West Bengal.

In Bhubaneswar, the Prime Minister chaired a meeting to review the relief and rehabilitation measures being undertaken.

The Prime Minister was briefed that maximum damage due to Cyclone Yaas happened in Odisha, and some parts of West Bengal and Jharkhand have also been affected.

Shri Modi announced a financial assistance of Rs 1000 crore for immediate relief activities. Rs 500 crore would be immediately given to Odisha. Another Rs 500 crores has been announced for West Bengal and Jharkhand, which will be released on the basis of the damage. The Union Government will deploy an Inter-Ministerial Team to visit the states to assess the extent of damage, based on which further assistance will be given.

Prime Minister assured the people of Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand that the Union Government would closely work with the State Governments at this difficult time, extend all possible assistance for restoration and rebuilding of the infrastructure in the affected areas.

Prime Minister expressed his complete solidarity with all those who suffered due to the cyclone and expressed deep sorrow to the families who have lost their kin during the calamity.

He announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 to the seriously injured in the cyclone.

PM said that we have to continue the focus towards more scientific management of disasters. As the frequency and impact of cyclonic systems are increasing in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, communication systems, mitigation efforts and preparedness have to undergo a major change. He also spoke about the importance of building trust among people for better cooperation in relief efforts.

PM Modi appreciated the preparedness and disaster management activities by the Government of Odisha which has resulted in minimal loss of lives. He also noted that the state has embarked on long term mitigation efforts for dealing with such natural disasters.

He also mentioned that Disaster Mitigation has been given emphasis by the Finance Commission too by provisioning for mitigation funds to the tune of Rs. 30,000 crore.

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DS/SH

(Release ID: 1722467)
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