The world has witnessed multiple countries, including the United States and Canada, collectively committing more than $400 million USD to a global climate damage fund. This fund is focused specifically on loss and damage to vulnerable countries hit hardest by climate disaster. These events have already brought devastation and despair at unparalleled levels, making this newly synchronized global effort a vital necessity.  

But it doesn’t end and shouldn’t end there.  

There is an urgent need to deepen our understanding of the impact that climate events are having, and will continue to have, on local communities, particularly vulnerable populations. This issue was brought into sharp focus at the same time Canada signed its $11.8 million USD commitment to the new loss and damage fund. On that day, First Nations across Ontario announced that they are seeking a judicial review of the federal-government’s carbon-pricing system. The communities argue that the pollution policy unjustly and disproportionately burdens them, exacerbating existing hardships caused by climate change and poverty.  

In the US, paralleling these developments, the Biden administration has earmarked up to $2 billion for Community Change Grants, aimed at assisting low-income communities adversely impacted by environmental issues. This commitment places the United States in a challenging position of ensuring the equitable distribution of EPA grants, further underscoring the complex nature of addressing internal environmental policies.  

This situation highlights a common theme across both nations: the necessity of crafting climate policies that justly address the needs of vulnerable communities. 

Supporting Local Communities 

Communities, like the First Nations in Ontario and underserved communities in the US, require specific attention to ensure they are not unduly burdened by broad environmental policies. This calls for: 

• Inclusive Policymaking: Engaging with local communities, particularly Indigenous and marginalized groups, to understand their unique challenges and perspectives. 

• Tailored Solutions: Developing policies and programs that specifically address the needs of these communities, recognizing their distinct environmental and socio-economic landscapes. 

• Balancing Global and Local Needs: Ensuring that international climate commitments are complemented by strong domestic policies that mitigate adverse impacts on vulnerable populations. 

• Enhancing Access to Resources: Facilitating access to the benefits of global climate funds and domestic support mechanisms for these communities. 

When COP28 fades away, the enduring challenge for nations will be to strike a balance between their international commitments and domestic obligations. Once achieved, then they can take to the stage to celebrate a commitment that is both globally ambitious and locally sensitive.