The most effective way to avert or minimise further climate-induced loss and damage is to reach net-zero anthropogenic emissions as quickly as possible. The second most effective way is through actions to prepare for and adjust to the impacts of climate change. Thus, climate change mitigation and adaptation can be understood as strategies to avert and minimise potential or avoidable loss and damage.

To this end, ODI has produced three reports analysing how the impacts of climate change lead to the loss and damage of non-economic aspects of vulnerable communities: culture and heritage, life and health, and biodiversity and ecosystem services. The series, produced in partnership with IrishAid, also explores how to quantify these losses – as well as the potential for avoiding or minimising them.