Paying for the mess we made

Denmark is the first country in UN history to pledge compensation for the consequences of emissions to support vulnerable countries that suffer from the loss and damage of climate change.

The Danish development minister, Flemming Møller Mortensen, said this decision was prompted by a visit to the areas of Bangladesh that were devastated by flooding in June.

“It is grossly unfair that the world's poorest should suffer the most from the consequences of climate change, to which they have contributed the least.” — Flemming Møller Mortensen — Denmark’s development minister

If someone you know had destroyed your house, you would expect them to pay for the damages they caused. Right?

A climate loss and damage mechanism (L&DM) would help redistribute resources from wealthy countries to those hit hardest by climate impacts they did not cause.

So far, only Scotland and the Belgian region of Wallonia have pledged money for loss and damage. Denmark is the first federal government and UN member to break the taboo among rich countries over giving money to address the unavoidable losses and damages caused by the climate crisis.

Although the amount is just a drop in the ocean, it is a step in the right direction. This first compensation pledge hopefully helps the issue of loss and damage gain traction and inspires other countries to follow the lead.

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