Loss and Damage is a framework addressing the impacts of climate change that cannot be mitigated or adapted to. It encompasses the economic and non-economic losses experienced by communities, particularly in vulnerable regions, due to climate-induced events like extreme weather and sea-level rise. This concept is integral to international climate negotiations, highlighting the need for financial and technical support to affected countries. By recognising the limitations of current adaptation strategies, Loss and Damage seeks to ensure equitable solutions for those disproportionately affected by climate change.

Loss and Damage matters because it addresses the gaps left by mitigation and adaptation strategies in combating climate change. It highlights the urgent need for international cooperation to support vulnerable nations facing irreversible climate impacts. By focusing on this framework, global policymakers can work towards more comprehensive climate justice, ensuring that affected communities receive necessary resources and support.

Academic consensus suggests that Loss and Damage is a critical component of climate justice, as it addresses the inequities faced by developing nations in the face of climate change. Scholars of international relations argue that this framework is essential for fostering global solidarity and accountability, as it compels industrialised nations to acknowledge their historical emissions and provide reparations to those disproportionately affected. This concept is increasingly gaining traction in international climate policy discussions.