Dr. Ejaz Ahmed (Environmentalist): The establishment of the Loss and Damage fund was sort of an appeal from the developing countries who are not contributors to the carbon emission yet more vulnerable to climate change. Basically, the developed countries are responsible for the carbon emission so it is their responsibility to support the developing countries in this regard. The damages and losses in the developing countries in context of devastating floods and change in weather patterns need compensation from the developed countries. In COP-27 held in Egypt last year, there were discussions and few countries agreed to pledge but unfortunately the commitments were never fulfilled. During the ongoing climate summit COP28 the adoption of loss and damage fund by int’l community is very welcoming and a proper mechanism needs to be developed for pledges in Loss and Damage Fund in COP-28. Pakistan always remains very vocal in highlighting the climate issues and operationalization of this fund is a great diplomatic success of Pakistan. The United States and European countries were not considering climate change as a global issue but in the past few years, the cyclones and fire eruption in different parts of the world have made these countries realize that it is becoming a global issue.

Hamid Sarfraz (Environmentalist): Climate change is a very serious issue and COP28 is great opportunity for world leaders to assemble and devise some joint strategy to tackle this grave issue. Initially the developed countries did not agree to contribute to the compensation of the developing countries affected by climate change. Pakistan remained vocal that developing countries are paying the price due to the climate change in terms of devastating floods and changing weather patterns. The operationalization of loss and damage fund and commitments of pledges by developed countries is a positive sign and we may expect that a well-managed mechanism for its effective utilization will also be carved soon. The need of the hour is that the developed countries must take responsibility and contribute in minimizing the sufferings of the developing countries.

Experts applaud swift operationalization of Loss & Damage Fund at COP28