There are some climate change threats that are beyond the pace and scope of mitigation or adaptation, resulting in immediate and long-term permanent loss and damage to communities and the systems and ecosystems that underpin them. The less climate action that is taken, the more loss and damage will need to be addressed. Bracing for these unavoidable, adverse impacts requires tailored strategy and support and a long-term view. Under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), there is significant room to expand planning, assessment, and technical support to strengthen the approach to, and coordination for, minimizing and coping with immediate and long-term non-economic losses to health and well-being through the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) on Loss and Damage.
