Defining Loss and Damage

This briefing note from the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the concept of loss and damage in climate change policy, distinguishing between scientific grounding and political interpretations within the UNFCCC framework.

• Loss and damage is conceptualized as the 'residual impacts' that occur when climate change impacts exceed the limits of what human or natural systems can adapt to, such as the inability of humans to live underwater or crops to grow in salty soil.
• The concept of loss and damage emerged from the recognition by Small Island Developing States that certain severe impacts, such as sea-level rise submerging territory, would be unavoidable even with adaptation efforts.
• While the Paris Agreement acknowledges the importance of addressing loss and damage and encourages cooperation to enhance support and understanding, many issues regarding the concept remain unresolved within the UNFCCC.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (2016). Defining Loss and Damage. https://www.sei.org/publications/defining-loss-and-damage/

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. Defining Loss and Damage. 2016. https://www.sei.org/publications/defining-loss-and-damage/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=Defining Loss and Damage |date=19 September 2016 |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/defining-loss-and-damage/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitute2016defining, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{Defining Loss and Damage}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2016}, month = sep, url = {https://www.sei.org/publications/defining-loss-and-damage/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }