Page - 56 - in Loss and Damage from Climate Change - Concepts, Methods and Policy Options

56 I.Wallimann-Helmeret al. probably facing themost severe climate impacts (Huggel et al. 2016). This is not onlythecasebecauseintheseregionsof theworldmeasurementstationsare lacking butalsobecausethereismissingcapacitytoestablishandanalysethenecessarydata for effective riskmanagement. According to theseconsiderations forassigningremedial responsibilities in rela- tion to the four categories ofL&Dmeasures,webelieve that replaceableL&Dcan mostprobablybemoderatedbyappropriateschemesofriskmanagementanddetec- tionincombinationwithmechanismsofriskfinancinglikeinsurance(seeTable2.4). This is especially the case if thatL&D is of an economic nature andoccurs due to expected sudden-onset extreme events. Countries under the greatest duties in this case are those able tofinancially contribute to these schemes and/or possessing the know-how to assist in implementing them.However, responsibilitiesmight befall other countrieswhen slow-onset processes are at issue since theseprocessesmight contributetonon-replaceableandnon-insurableL&D.Althoughinsuchcasesfinan- cialpaymentsmighthavegreat importance in thesenseofprovidingrecognitionfor undeservedharms, transferofknow-howbetweencommunitieswithsimilarcultural experiences andunder similar threatsofL&Dseems tobecentral to efficiently and effectivelyhelpingevenout theundeservedharmsdue toclimatechange. Incaseof non-replaceableL&D,ends-displacingbecomesnecessary,acompetencemostprob- ablypossessedbythosecommunitiesalreadyhavinggonethroughsimilarprocesses of transformation. Decidingwhether or not non-economic L&Dcan be deemed replaceable is an issue that is not easily determined without involving those facing these impacts (Wallimann-Helmer2015).This is so, becausebydefinitionnon-economicL&Dis not traded in themarketandcannotbeweightupwithanyestablishedmarketprice. This alsomakes it difficult to decidewhether or not non-economic but replaceable L&Dcanbeinsuredsinceforinsuranceassessmentofthefinancialvalueineconomic terms becomes key.And even if non-economicL&Dcan be deemed insurable, its value to be insured cannot objectively be decidedwithout involving those whose assets are potentially damagedor lost due to sudden-onset extremeevents or slow- onset processes. For these reasons, for differentiating remedial responsibilitieswe believe it to be crucial to also consider the differentiated competences to foster appropriate decision-structures and capacity buildingwithin potentially threatened communities. Indeed, thismay apply either relying on outcome responsibilities or reasons independentof responsibilities for theoccurrenceofL&D. Onceappropriatedecision-makingstructuresandcapacityareestablishedwithin communities and countries potentially threatened by climate L&Dand in need of assistance,theyacquireremedialresponsibilitiestootherthreatenedcountriesaswell (Wallimann-Helmer2016).Appropriatefinanceand technologyprovided, develop- ing countries not only acquire responsibilities for implementing andmaintaining L&Dmeasures in theirownregions.Sincetheyalsogainspecificknow-howonhow tomost efficiently and effectively respond to the specificL&Dthey face, they also becomemore responsible to assist those facing the same or similar L&D.Conse- quently, themore developed the decision-structures and capacities in communities initiallyinneedofassistancebecome, themoretheyacquireresponsibilities toassist