At COP27.. The most vulnerable countries are seeking “loss and damage” compensation from the biggest polluters

More than 100 world leaders are about to discuss a worsening problem that scientists’ call Earth’s biggest challenge.

On Monday, nearly 50 heads of states or governments, take the stage in the first day of “high-level” international climate talks in Egypt.

Host leader, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will kick off the leaders’ speeches.

Egypt, which is leading the event, says the focus should be on implementing earlier promises.

Monday will be heavily dominated by leaders of nations victimized by climate change, not those that have created the problem of heat-trapping gases warming up the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuel.

World leaders will debate whether countries hit by floods, drought, hurricanes and other events caused by climate change should be given compensation.

Poorer countries say the loss and damage they are already experiencing as a result of climate change should be paid for by rich nations who have historically polluted the most.

The issue has formally been confirmed as part of the agenda for the Cop27 conference in Egypt despite resistance from wealthier countries. The EU and the US have previously led opposition to the calls.

The UK government has welcomed the discussion about the issue but has not formally said whether it would be willing to support compensating poorer countries.

Climate funding has largely focused on cutting carbon dioxide emissions to curb climate change alongside projects to help communities adapt.

Funding for loss and damage would differ as it would compensate countries that were unable to adapt to the impact of climate change. However, there is no agreement as to what should count as loss or damage caused by climate change.

Environmental activists at COP27, are calling for a “fossil fuel nonproliferation treaty” asking governments to promise an end to all new oil, gas and coal projects.

Activists argued on Monday that the solution lies in promoting the development of wind, solar and other renewable power rather than relying on gas and oil.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Macron and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are among the biggest names expected at the start of the two-week event. US President Joe Biden and Brazil’s President-elect Luis Inacio Lula da Silva are due to appear later on.