Ali Faqeeh: Liabilities for contributions to fund for loss and damage should be distributed fairly

The COP-created fund for loss and damage is an impactful initiative, as it recognizes the need for financial aid in countries severely affected by climate change, Ali Faqeeh, non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C., told Report.

“Many developed countries in the West have contributed more to the current level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to their earlier and longer periods of industrialization.

Therefore, it would be unjust to require countries like China to contribute the most to the fund based solely on their current emissions levels,” he said.

Developed nations have been industrialized for around 200 years, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change during this time, he noted.

“However, if we look at the historical emissions, many developed countries in the West have contributed more to the current level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to their earlier and longer periods of industrialization,” he added. “Instead, a more equitable approach would be to consider both historical and current emissions in determining a country's financial responsibility.”