19 November 2012: The UNFCCC has released a report on the regional expert meetings on a range of approaches to address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, including impacts related to extreme weather events and slow onset events (FCCC/SBI/2012/29). The report summarizes regional level meetings in Ethiopia, Mexico and Thailand and one meeting on small island developing States (SIDS) in Barbados.

The report highlights similarities in approaches used to address damage and loss across regions, with most information coming from lessons learned from extreme events.

The report provides an overview of key issues addressed at the meetings, including gaps, needs and challenges. Participants identified limited readiness to address the impacts of slow onset events, particularly in terms of capacities and institutions. The report also discusses region-specific issues on climate change impacts. Participants identified several areas for further action, inter alia: improving knowledge on impacts related to slow onset climate change, including on linkages with extreme weather events; enhancing the understanding of linkages between mitigation and adaptation; and promoting and supporting pilot actions on innovative approaches to address loss and damage.

The report features sections on key issues identified at the expert meetings: framing loss and damage and understanding different linkages; addressing slow onset events; comprehensive risk management toolkits; capacity; data and information from current practices; increasing synergies; enhancing regional and international cooperation; and other relevant issues. Two annexes describe the proceedings of the expert meetings and provide examples of measures and tools for addressing loss and damage that are grouped under categories such as risk reduction, risk retention and risk transfer. [Report on Regional Expert Meetings on Loss and Damage]