African cities are key to dealing with climate loss and damage

Without direct representation in negotiations, cities must leverage multiple opportunities to influence loss and damage decisions and funding. Cities host most of Africa’s population, economic assets, infrastructure and utilities and will continue to grow throughout the century. Loss and damage instruments and funding help the world’s most vulnerable countries to cope with climate harms. African cities should be at the forefront of these efforts, yet they lack direct representation in negotiations. To influence loss and damage decisions, cities must adopt creative strategies and leverage the multiple opportunities available to act.