St. Lucia is moving ahead with the loss and damage strategy.

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – The St Lucia government, Monday, said it is moving forward on the Loss and Damage Strategy, strengthening readiness for international climate finance.

The Phillip J Pierre administration said that the validation marks a significant step forward, positioning the island to develop and submit at least one priority project concept note to the Fund for Loss and Damage.

Loss and Damage funding is a United Nations-backed financial mechanism designed to help vulnerable developing countries cope with the unavoidable, irreversible impacts of climate change. It was agreed upon at COP27 and operationalized at COP28 and provides grants for rehabilitation, recovery, and rebuilding infrastructure when adaptation measures fail.

The Department of Sustainable Development said that late last month, it convened a national validation session on St. Lucia’s Loss and Damage Strategy and Action Plan, building upon findings from the Limits to Adaptation Needs Assessment with recent consultations.

It said that the session brought together key stakeholders to refine proposed measures, recommendations, and project briefs designed to address the island’s priority climate-related loss and damage risks.

“The validation marks an important step forward, positioning St. Lucia to develop and submit at least one priority project concept note to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) during its December–June 2026 application window, and more in subsequent windows,” the ministry said.

It said loss and damage refer to the negative impacts of climate change that occur despite efforts to reduce emissions (mitigation) and adapt to climate risks. It includes economic losses, such as damage to infrastructure, homes, and livelihoods, for example, in agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, as well as non-economic losses.

It said non-economic losses include loss of life, health, ecosystems, cultural heritage, and community well-being, often caused by rapid-onset events, such as very extreme weather, and slow-onset events, like sea-level rise and rising temperatures.

“This milestone was achieved through the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Project, with the Delivery Partner, International Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD), and the Consultancy Firm, Adapt40, in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development, as National Designated Authority to the GCF.”

The Department of Sustainable Development said that work on the NAP GCF Readiness Project continues, with efforts to build the island’s climate resilience.

“This Loss and Damage Strategy and Action Plan moves loss and damage from a concept into coordinated national action, positioning St. Lucia to respond proactively to escalating climate risks, while safeguarding people, cultural heritage, developmental gains, and future generations.”