Climate Change: Why Kenya might not benefit from Loss and Damage Fund

The upcoming 28th Conference of Parties (COP 28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Dubai is looking forward to the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) to support African continent in combating the effects of Climate Change caused by the Global North.

It now emerges that Kenya might not be among countries in Africa likely to benefit from Loss and damage kitty. This is because the World Bank has classified Kenya as a middle-income country after its Gross National Income per capita showed improved economic performance.

Dr. George Wamukoya, Team leader of, the Africa Group of Negotiators Experts Strategy (AGNES) explains that the loss and damage transitional committee formed last year to make recommendations on how to operationalize the new funding arrangements at COP28 now wants to focus on Least developed countries (LDC’s) and small Island developing states, and not middle-income countries like Kenya.

“This means, countries like Kenya and its people who suffer losses and damages from the brutal effects of Climate Change will not access support from Loss and Damage fund. The government will have to find its money to support them and pay for its own Climate Change interventions as opposed to receiving support to address climate change damages,” Dr. Wamukoya said during a three-day Expert Strategy meeting of AGNES.

He explained that the transitional committee formed at Cop 27 in Sharm El Sheik comprises of representatives from 24 countries (14 from developing countries and 10 from developed countries) working together in 2023 to decide what form the fund should take, its funding sources, look for ways to expand sources, how it would work with climate finance agreements existing and how the money should be distributed.

According to Dr. Wamukoya, “the current discussion doesn’t seem to be looking at those slow changes that happen over the years which then blow up then people lose their livelihood. They want tragedies like cyclones that happens once then people lose their needs, then it is when they can help you to recover which is not sustainable. We want a systemic approach to that issue that is the purpose of Loss and damage.”

Such decisions could brew conflict in the context where middle developing countries suffer the same Climate challenges like the classified least developing countries.

It divides Africa into two, those that are middle income; Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ghana amongst others.

Wamukoya added that middle income countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ghana amongst others, suffer negative impacts of Climate change yet they cannot get international support. They have to rely on humanitarian support. 

Whereas in the same context; Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, which experience same effects can easily get support from the international community and that can lead to conflicts. 

Wamukoya added that the situation can be salvaged during the COP28 talks in Dubai.

“It is one thing to have a well-structured fund but will only be fully operational if it is actually funded. COP28 in Dubai at the end of the year is the place to deliver and operationalize the fund and funding arrangements for loss and damage,” said the President of the COP28, H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber.

Speaking on behalf of Africa Group and Kenya at the 27th Conference of Parties (COP 27) Kenya’s president William Ruto reiterated that, “COP26 established the Glasgow Dialogue to formulate funding arrangements for measures to prevent, mitigate and remedy loss and damage associated with the adverse impacts of climate change. Loss and damage must therefore be addressed with a level of seriousness which demonstrates fairness, urgency and consideration.”

He added,” Africa contributes less than 3% of the pollution responsible for climate change, but is most severely impacted by the ensuing crisis and it was only fair and proper that this conference takes necessary measures to recognise Africa’s special needs and circumstances under the Paris Agreement, in line with the convention and relevant decisions adopted by previous COPs.”

However, there are areas of contention that Transitional Committee 5 in charge of the Loss and Damage fund should attempt to resolve.

Disagreements between Developed countries and the nations in G77 and China over how to manage a new fund to tackle the ‘loss and damage’ caused by wilder weather and rising seas could throw the COP28 in Dubai at a disarray.

Developed countries, led by the United States, are pushing for the fund to be based at the World Bank, while developing nations argue this would tip the balance of power towards wealthy governments and make it hard for them to tap into the funding. 

The other burning issue that should be resolved is how to allocate and provide access to the Fund so that there is balance between extreme weather events, slow onset events, and economic and non-economic L&D, with a geographical balance.