COP29 and Climate Justice: Vanuatu’s Fight for Progress in the Loss and Damage Debate

Unveiling Colonial Legacies in the Struggle for Climate Equity

COP29, held in Azerbaijan in November 2024, saw advancements in the global climate agenda and marked a pivotal moment in global climate governance. A central focus was the full operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund, a financial mechanism established to support vulnerable nations in the face of climate-induced disasters. Last year’s conference saw significant headway, yet the journey from COP28 to COP29 reveals both progress and persisting challenges. Centred around the Loss and Damage Fund, in this article I explore how the narrative of Vanuatu’s vulnerability to climate change opens a broader discussion on climate justice, colonial legacies and the West’s historical responsibility in the climate crisis.

Vanuatu: A Nation on the Frontlines 

Vanuatu, a small island developing state in the Pacific, is one of the world’s most geophysically vulnerable regions. The nation faces frequent and intense weather events exacerbated by climate change, including cyclones, storm surges and rising sea levels. In 2015, Cyclone Pam devastated Vanuatu, displacing thousands and causing damages equivalent to 64% of the nation’s GDP. Such events underscore the urgent need for financial mechanisms like the Loss and Damage Fund to aid recovery and support resilience.

Vanuatu’s vulnerability cannot be attributed solely to its physical geography: its history of colonial exploitation, land dispossession and systemic underdevelopment has had lasting impact on the country. Colonised by the UK and France, the legacy of colonialism in Vanuatu persists today in the form of weakened institutions and increased economic dependency, significantly diminishing its capacity to adapt to climate change. These historical injustices highlight the need for the West to take greater responsibility in the global climate response.

‍

‍

From COP28 to COP29: Progression the Loss and Damage Fund 

The Loss and Damage Fund was formally established at COP28 in Dubai 2023. This addressed long-standing demands from climatically vulnerable nations for financial assistance to cope with climate-induced losses. Critically, this milestone acknowledged the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing countries and therefore was a significant step towards climate justice.

COP29 saw the full operationalisation of the Fund, with steps such as the appointment of a Fund Director and the announcement of the Philippines as the Fund’s host. Critically, financial pledges for the Fund exceed US $730 million. However, these contributions fall short of the estimated US$ 200-400 billion required annually by 2030. The Fund’s reliance on voluntary contributions, without binding commitments from donating nations, reflects a resistance to fully acknowledge and address the responsibility of historical and contemporary emissions.

Climate Justice and Historical Responsibility: A Demand for Accountability 

The Loss and Damage Fund embodies the struggle for climate justice, which demands that historical emitters – primarily Western nations – acknowledge their role in the climate crisis. Nations like Vanuatu, which contribute little to global greenhouse gas emissions, suffer disproportionately from climate change impacts: Vanuatu’s call for loss and damage mechanisms is a call for justice, seeking reparation for centuries of environmental and economic exploitation.

The Fund’s implementation brings to light the complexities of climate justice, where the West’s responsibility extends beyond financial contributions. It demands a reckoning with the colonial histories that have shaped current global inequalities. The narrative of vulnerability, often imposed on nations like Vanuatu, risks perpetuating a view of these countries as passive victims. Rather, their agency in climate negotiations and resilience in facing climate challenges must be recognised and empowered.

‍

‍

Towards an Inclusive Transition to Net Zero

Ensuring an inclusive and just transition to Net Zero by 2050 is paramount. The global community must support nations like Vanuatu in effectively adapting to the impacts of climate change. While addressing the colonial roots of vulnerability, the Loss and Damage Fund must be part of a broader effort to decolonise climate action. Further, it is essential that affected nations have a voice in how funds are allocated and used. The West’s responsibility is not limited to financial reparations but includes supporting capacity-building and strengthening institutions of vulnerable nations. The approach going forward must be one of partnership, recognising the sovereignty and agency of nations like Vanuatu.

‍

‍

Concluding thoughts: A Call for Structural Change

The journey from COP28 to COP29 highlights significant progress in addressing the loss and damage associated with climate change. However, the path forward demands more than operationalisation: it requires a fundamental shift in how the global community understands and addresses the root causes of climate vulnerability. The Fund must not become a token gesture, but a catalyst for structural changes in international climate policy. This includes actively acknowledging the colonial histories that have played a role in shaping how nations like Vanuatu experience the impacts of climate change, as well as ensuring that climate action is guided by principles of resilience, equity, justice and historical accountability. Vanuatu’s experience is a reminder of the ongoing struggle for climate justice: the West must confront its colonial history and take meaningful action to support a just and inclusive global response to climate change.