Cop27: The polluter pays? Globally, not really

The poorest countries in the world are paying the price for the carbon emissions of the wealthiest, who have repeatedly stalled efforts to pay up

One-third of the Pakistani population has been made homeless by the recent floods, yet the UN humanitarian appeal for the floods is set at only $472.3m (just over 1% of what is needed). Picture: AP/Pervez Masih

The defining issue of Cop27, ongoing in Egypt, is loss and damage.

The phrase is unfamiliar, but the following example should explain what’s at stake and why it’s so important to address.