CURATING TRANSFORMATION CAN STRENGTHEN ADAPTATION AND MINIMIZE LOSSES AND DAMAGES

Heritage conservation recognizes that losses and damages cannot be entirely prevented, that decisions about what to keep and what to let go are fundamental to maintaining values for future generations; even when what is valued is gone. The heritage principle of curating transformation can advance climate action through pragmatic and participatory management of losses and damages, offering lessons for climate change adaptation and giving people agency over what is lost.

The upcoming update of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by February 2025 is crucial for global climate action, as countries increasingly recognise the need to integrate 'loss and damage' into their climate plans. Including loss and damage in NDCs is essential for a comprehensive climate response, enhancing accountability, and ensuring that vulnerable communities receive needed support. As many countries begin to acknowledge these factors, the commitment to accounting for both economic and non-economic losses in NDCs can drive climate justice and accountability, emphasising the responsibilities of major polluters while highlighting the urgent need for increased climate finance to address these growing challenges. This brief advocates for the integration of loss and damage in revised NDCs and provides recommendations to facilitate this integration. Recommendations suggest detailing the types and magnitudes of damage, identifying vulnerable populations, and establishing policies to systematically address losses, ensuring a more equitable approach to future climate strategies.