Ecological Loss and Damage

The negative effects of climate change on natural ecosystems can be referred to as ‘ecological loss and damage’. The term ecological loss and damage has been used to include impacts, such as species extinction or damage to ecosystem functions that impact human livelihoods through the services that they provide, i.e. the material and non-material benefits humans obtain from nature. However, disentangling the role of climate change on the biodiversity crisis from other human influences such as habitat destruction is inherently challenging. When it comes to ‘ecological loss and damage’, what should we be measuring exactly and how should we do it?  If we can attribute loss and damage to climate change then what should we allocate Loss and Damage funds for and to whom? Answers to these questions are needed for both a successful and just social-ecological transition.

The researchers within the Theme examine the fundamental science through perspectives on human vulnerability, disaster risk, biodiversity and land use change, climate change science, ethics and psychology. The aim is to contribute to the relevant policy debate on ecological loss and damage, and to the knowledge base that can support the crafting of the principles of the new United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Loss and Damage fund.

Emily Boyd is coordinator for this Pufendorf Theme.  She is a social scientist who participated in COP28 in December 2023.

Article on Emily Boyd’s research in relation to the COP28 decision on the Loss and Damage fund for developing countries on LUCSUS’ website