As global leaders prepare for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, in Azerbaijan, the world faces an escalating climate crisis. This year alone, the Global South has borne the brunt of catastrophic heatwaves, floods, hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires, despite contributing the least to the climate emergency.
In the lead-up to COP29, Scotland, which hosted COP26 in 2021, is emphasizing the importance of climate justice as an essential foundation for effective climate finance. At COP26, Scotland became the first country from the Global North to pledge funding specifically aimed at addressing loss and damage — the unavoidable consequences of climate change that affect the most vulnerable communities. These include destroyed homes, lost agricultural land, and disappearing coastline due to rising sea levels.
A Key Commitment: Loss and Damage Funding
Scotland’s commitment to climate justice took root at COP26, where the Scottish government pledged £2 million to help address the financial costs of loss and damage. This act of solidarity was a response to calls from the Global South for recognition and action on this critical issue. Scotland’s pledge has been a catalyst, contributing to the creation of the Loss and Damage Fund under the UNFCCC framework. At COP28, this fund was officially operationalized and has now raised over US$600 million, with additional commitments pushing the total past US$750 million.
However, while the existence of the fund marks progress, much work remains to ensure that funding reaches those who need it most. As Gillian Martin, Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy in Scotland, points out, climate justice goes beyond financial pledges. It is about making sure that the most vulnerable communities have direct, accessible, and equitable access to funds, and that financial aid is delivered in a way that supports long-term recovery, not just short-term relief.
Learning from Scotland’s Climate Justice Fund
Scotland’s pioneering Climate Justice Fund, launched in 2012, offers vital lessons on how to design and implement climate finance mechanisms that prioritize equity, human rights, and urgency. Scotland’s fund has been used to support projects like GiveDirectly, which distributed £1 million in unconditional cash transfers to 1,800 households in Malawi displaced by Cyclone Freddy. These funds were used to rebuild homes, restore agriculture, and cover medical expenses, showing that providing direct financial support can be an effective and transformative solution for those most affected by climate change.
Building on these lessons, Scotland is advocating for a shift in how climate finance is delivered, particularly in relation to the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF). Martin highlights the need for a rapid-response mechanism that allows funds to be quickly accessed and distributed as grants, not loans. Vulnerable countries, already struggling with economic challenges, should not be burdened with more debt while they recover from climate impacts.
Prioritizing Gender and Disability Inclusion
At COP29, Scotland will also push for gender-responsive and disability-inclusive climate finance. The country’s Climate Just Communities programmes, implemented in Zambia, Malawi, and Rwanda, provide concrete examples of how inclusive finance can help vulnerable communities become more resilient to climate impacts. These programs prioritize the inclusion of women, girls, and persons with disabilities, empowering them to actively shape their climate response strategies.
Research has shown that investments in women and girls, particularly in the context of climate change, lead to stronger, more resilient communities. Scotland’s commitment to ensuring that climate finance addresses gender inequalities will be central to its advocacy at COP29. This approach aligns with the need for transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in climate finance mechanisms, ensuring that all people — especially those most marginalized — have the opportunity to thrive in a changing climate.
The Road to COP29: Scaling Up Action
While Scotland’s contributions may seem modest in the face of global climate challenges, its actions demonstrate the significant impact that small nations can have in driving meaningful change. At COP29, Scotland’s government aims to scale up climate justice efforts and encourage other nations to follow its lead. Martin urges that the new New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) must include loss and damage as a distinct subgoal alongside mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Scotland’s vision for COP29 is one of collaboration and shared responsibility in addressing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities. The country’s experience shows that delivering financial support quickly, transparently, and equitably can be a powerful tool in building resilience and fostering long-term recovery.
In summary, Scotland’s call for climate justice is not just about financial pledges — it’s about ensuring that funds are accessible, inclusive, and directed where they are needed most. By combining lessons from its own Climate Justice Fund with an advocacy for a more equitable climate finance system, Scotland is leading the charge for effective and inclusive climate action at COP29.
