Tanzania’s Strong Stance on Loss and Damage Financing Ahead of COP30
As the world prepares for the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Tanzania has made its position clear on the critical issue of Loss and Damage Financing. The country is advocating for a robust and effective mechanism that ensures timely, adequate, and predictable financial support for vulnerable nations, particularly those in Africa.
Tanzania emphasizes that developed countries must take responsibility for their historical emissions and contribute significantly to the Loss and Damage Fund. In its national position document, the government highlights the urgency of operationalizing the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), citing irreversible climate impacts that are already affecting communities.
The document stresses that the fund must be sufficiently capitalized and structured to address both immediate climate-related disasters and long-term recovery needs. It also proposes that Tanzania host the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage (SNLD) Secretariat, which would provide a cost-effective base for supporting African countries.
Key Demands from Tanzania
Tanzania calls for clarity on the scale of contributions, timeliness of disbursements, and transparent reporting on financial pledges. The country is pushing for simplified and fast-tracked access to funds for the most vulnerable nations, including Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and African countries facing mounting climate-induced losses.
The national position paper emphasizes the need for direct access modalities, as complex requirements have historically delayed access to climate finance for developing nations. Moreover, Tanzania insists that the FRLD must cover both economic and non-economic losses, such as displacement, cultural loss, and biodiversity impacts.
Insurance and Bureaucracy Concerns
Tanzania takes a firm stance against insurance-based approaches, arguing that such mechanisms shift the burden to vulnerable countries rather than supporting communities suffering from climate change. The government believes that insurance should not be part of the loss and damage framework, as it benefits profit-making institutions instead of those in need.
The document also stresses that the Santiago Network must be efficient and free of unnecessary administrative bottlenecks. It emphasizes the importance of cost-effectiveness for sustainable operations and collaboration with national institutions.
Focus on Vulnerability Reduction
Dr Richard Muyungi, chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), highlighted the need for systems that reduce vulnerability across the continent. He emphasized the importance of effective indicators that align with finance, technology, and capacity-building needs to strengthen resilience.
Muyungi also underscored Africa’s priority to implement National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), which remain largely unfunded. He stressed that the structure of climate finance must shift towards funding implementation rather than planning alone.
Historical Context and Challenges
The debate on Loss and Damage financing has been a central theme in UNFCCC negotiations for over a decade. It began formally at COP19 in Warsaw in 2013 with the establishment of the Warsaw International Mechanism. Momentum grew through COP26 in Glasgow, COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, where the historic decision to establish a Loss and Damage Fund was reached, and COP28 in Dubai, where the fund was operationalized with the World Bank as interim host.
However, initial pledges around $700 million (Sh1.75 trillion) remain far below estimated needs. Subsequent discussions at COP29 and the SB62 sessions in Bonn raised concerns about slow accessibility and low funding levels, especially for countries with urgent recovery needs.