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Why the Fate of the New COP27 “Loss and Damage” Climate Fund Depends on China

by Eric Olander
Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri leads the closing session of the COP27 climate conference at the Sharm el-Sheikh International Convention Centre on November 20, 2022. JOSEPH EID / AFP

Negotiators from 200 countries at the COP27 climate conference in Egypt worked overtime this weekend to finalize a controversial funding proposal that would facilitate wealthy countries to compensate developing states for “loss and damages” wrought by climate change.

While the new proposal is being hailed by environmentalists and stakeholders from developing countries as a major breakthrough in achieving some measure of climate justice, questions over China’s role in the plan could potentially derail the entire process.

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