You’ve asked you MP to take action for the loss and damage campaign. They've replied with some questions or thrown some facts at you, and now you’re wondering how to reply. We've got you covered!

Our ‘What do I say next’ page is here to help you respond to some of the common replies MPs are giving about loss and damage.

Use the answers below to respond to your MP and keep up the pressure for climate justice.

We'll be keeping this page updated - if you have an MP response that's not covered here you can email us at campaigns@christian-aid.org 

MP doesn't respond to your ask

MP said:

You’ve given your MP a direct ask – e.g. to write a letter to a government minister on your behalf and they’ve made no commitment to do so and just sent you some facts about what the government is doing

What to say next:

Acknowledge what they have told you is already happening.

Point out that they’ve not given an answer to your question or request and restate it for them.

MP says the UK are already giving climate finance

MP said:

Your MP says that the government are already contributing to climate finance for developing countries which supports the same objectives the loss and damage fund.

What to say next:

Acknowledge that the UK government have contributed to International Climate Finance (ICF) and (if they have mentioned it) pledged  £11.6 billion by 2026 – this is welcome and important.

But...

ICF is intended to support countries to transition to low carbon economies and adapt to climate impacts. The call for Loss and Damage financing is related to the irreversible costs of climate impacts, beyond what can be adapted to. These are different aspects of the response to the climate crisis, and loss and damage finance needs additional resources. You can also find more detail in the MP briefing on this.

 

MP said:

Your MP in Scotland cites examples of how the Scottish government has provided loss and damage funding to countries such as Malawi through the Climate Justice Fund.

What to say next:

Acknowledge and celebrate the good work that has been done in Scotland on loss and damage.

But...

Remind them that substantially more funding is needed. Ask them to help make the UK Government pledge funds towards the Loss and Damage fund agreed at COP27 using suggestions of actions they can take from the MP briefing (e.g., writing to a minister or asking a parliamentary question).

MP only talks about current Government climate activity

MP said:

Your MP says the UK Government are participating in UN processes (like the Santiago Network/Transitional Committee) set up to facilitate action on loss and damage.

What to say next:

Acknowledge the work that is being done (b y individual MPs, UK Government and contributions to UNFCCC agreements) and that this is progress.

But...

Also tell them this is not enough. The agreement for a Loss and Damage Fund at COP27 was an historic breakthrough, but the UK must now work to ensure that funding is actually provided. Financial commitments by richer nations on loss and damage will now be essential to securing cooperation and trust among climate vulnerable nations at COP28 and beyond.

You can follow this up with one of the concrete asks from the MP briefing (e.g. writing to a minister or asking a parliamentary question)

 

MP said:

Your MP gives you lots of great examples of where the UK has been a world leader on climate e.g. first to commit to net zero by 2050, our rankings on decarbonisation, and where else the UK is spending money on the environment.

What to say next:

Acknowledge and celebrate these achievements – it’s all important work. We’ve proved we can be a trend setting nation.

However, current UK climate commitments do not address the irreversible costs of climate impacts beyond what can be adapted to. Loss and damage finance needs additional resources.

We can now lead the way and set an example for loss and damage financing.

 

MP wants to prioritise UK domestic poverty

MP Said:

Your MP says that we are in a cost-of-living crisis and UK citizens must be prioritised.

What to say next:

Acknowledge that poverty and inequality in the UK are serious problem, and the UK government must do much more to tackle UK poverty. However, the UK has a responsibility to protect and support the world’s poorest communities on the frontlines of climate change.

MP disagrees with how funding is provided

MP said:

Your MP disagrees with the idea of grants for loss and damage finance rather than loans or other means of financing loss and damage because:

  • There is no guarantee that grants will be spent in a legitimate way
  • There is no guarantee of the stability of the government being financed
  • There is no value for the British tax-player in terms of return on investment
What to say next:

Transparency and effective spending of public resources (which we also have in this country) cannot be held up as a reason to avoid fulfilling our obligations towards countries from whom we have extracted resources for centuries.

 

The nature of loss and damage caused by climate change means that increasing the debt burden on impacted nations through loans will only hit the poorest communities harder. Grants will better serve the poorest communities and contribute towards economic justice.

 

Christian Aid is calling for the new Loss & Damage fund to be run by and governed through the UN. This will help ensure that the money will be distributed and spent appropriately and transparently and reach the communities in most need.

MP says the UK can't afford to pay

MP said:

Your MP questions whether the UK can afford to pay for Loss & Damage; where would the money come from?

What to say next:

Christian Aid proposes that the UK’s fair share of Loss & Damage contributions would be approximately £12.5bn. This is based on the UK’s income and share of historic emissions. The Government has several options for raising this money by taxing the highest polluting companies and individuals:

  • Raising tax on excess profits from fossil fuel production to 95%. This could raise approx. £12.5bn.
  • A Net Wealth Tax at 0.5% levied on people with wealth above £1m. This could raise approx. £15bn.
  • A combination of smaller targeted taxes, including on air travel, a financial transaction tax, and the Emissions Trading Scheme.

For more details see Christian Aid’s The Loss & Damage Fund: Where does the money come from?