The “unacceptable” exclusion of civil society campaigners from a critical climate loss and damage meeting has sparked outrage from climate experts.
Negotiators from around the world are meeting in the Dominican Republic this week to discuss how the loss and damage fund — which provides money to help countries recover from disastrous climate impacts — will be designed. A working and financed fund is seen by campaigners as critical to the success of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, or COP 28, to be hosted by the United Arab Emirates in late November.
But as it entered a contentious political phase, the meeting, known as the Transitional Committee, was closed to observers, with webcasts ending after the opening session on Tuesday and civil society attendees forced into the lobby of the El Embajador Royal Hideaway Hotel in Santo Domingo. A short session on Wednesday afternoon saw three civil society representatives allowed back in at short notice to discuss technical matters, though it was unclear how much further participation would be allowed.
About the author
William Worley@willrworley
Will Worley is the Climate Correspondent for Devex, covering the intersection of development and climate change. He previously worked as UK Correspondent, reporting on the FCDO and British aid policy during a time of seismic reforms. Will’s extensive reporting on the UK aid cuts saw him shortlisted for ‘Specialist Journalist of the Year’ in 2021 by the British Journalism Awards. He can be reached at william.worley@devex.com.
