From Global Promise to Local Impact: Evaluating Climate Funding at the Local Level

Overview

This is an opportunity to conduct fully funded interdisciplinary research under the Sustainable Transitions Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme at the University of Essex.

The project will focus on the exploration of solutions to aspects of ‘loss and damage’ climate funding at the local level. Supervision for this project will be led by Essex Business School with secondary supervision from Essex Law School.

The efforts to establish 'loss and damage’ climate funding to aid countries impacted by climate disasters underscore the need for collective approaches to transform financial institutions and governmental practices to ensure that support meets local needs. Structural challenges such as resource distribution, access to finance, corruption, multilevel governance systems and participation in decision-making can all complicate 'loss and damage’ implementation for disadvantaged or vulnerable communities at the local level.

More specifically the study is required to consider the component factors that contribute to the facilitation of ‘loss and damage’ support for local communities in developing countries. This can include the sources of finance and support and their adequacy, the governance systems that facilitate the distribution of that finance and support, the governance mechanisms associated with that distribution process, and the accountability of actors at all levels. The study is required of the extent to which existing systems are effective and how they can be improved or redesigned.

Interdisciplinary focus

This interdisciplinary project combines governance, accountability, and legal frameworks to ensure effective local outcomes for 'loss and damage' climate funding. By integrating social sciences and law, it comprehensively assesses economic, environmental, and social impacts. Direct community engagement provides critical insights, while methods such as stakeholder analysis, case studies, and policy reviews enable the design of resilient strategies, making climate funding more responsive to the needs of impacted communities

Training and support

You will be supported through the Sustainable Transitions training programme which provides initial training in interdisciplinary research methods, training in the secondary discipline within the project area, and ongoing training throughout the duration of the programme. All doctoral scholars benefit from the support of Proficio, which entitles you to £2,500 that can be used to purchase training courses either within or external to the University.

Additionally, all scholars are entitled to an additional £10,000 that can be used to cover research costs and further training. Doctoral scholars are encouraged to audit/attend University masters and degree level courses where appropriate. You will also have the support of the Sustainable Transitions management team as well as your own supervisory team. All Sustainable Transitions scholars will become part of the University of Essex Centre for Environment and Society through which ongoing events and networking opportunities are available.

Person specification

This opportunity would suit a candidate with a masters level education that incorporated governance and/or development and/or accountability. The candidate should have an interest in law although a prior legal education is not a requirement as training will be provided. The successful candidate will be interested in developing solutions to the barriers in achieving ‘loss and damage’ finance at the local levels.

Research proposal

The project area is broadly defined, leaving scope for the applicant to develop their own specific research proposal as part of the application. The successful candidate will further develop their proposal in close consultation with the supervisory team.

Supervision

The primary discipline supervisor takes the lead responsibility for supervising the project. For further detail relating to supervision see the Guidance for Applicants (.docx) document.

Additional background information

The recent COP decisions to establish 'loss and damage' climate funding for nations severely impacted by climate disasters represent a global commitment to climate justice. This initiative aims to support the most vulnerable communities facing the harshest consequences of climate change by closing gaps in resources and resilience. However, as global commitments expand, there is an urgent need to bridge the gap between high-level policy decisions and local implementation. To ensure that these frameworks are effective at the ground level, this project proposes an in-depth assessment, beginning with a policy review of national and international contexts, followed by a region-specific study to understand the practical applications, challenges, and potential local adaptations of these policies.

This project’s approach is twofold. First, it analyzes the resource allocation policy frameworks and institutional structures at the local, national and international levels to evaluate how they translate into actionable support for local communities. Second, it conducts an in-depth region-specific study that highlights practical applications, gaps, and necessary adaptations to ensure the funding mechanisms are effective and accessible at the local level. This dual approach is designed to offer insights and strategies that make climate funding more responsive to local needs and challenges.

In addition to external financing, structural issues within local governance frameworks significantly affect the implementation of climate governance. These include challenges in resource allocation, mobilization of domestic resources, policy coherence, and the equitable distribution of resources at the local level. Governments at all levels face limitations in both resources and authority when addressing climate change, which emphasizes the importance of analyzing bottom-up approaches and exploring opportunities for enhanced resource access. Strengthening these elements is critical to ensuring that ‘loss and damage’ funding can be utilized effectively, promoting resilience and adaptive capacity.

To achieve a sustainable and impactful approach, greater attention must be directed toward understanding how global funding mechanisms can be effectively translated to enable local authorities to respond to their unique challenges. Investing in and empowering actors across governance levels—global, national, and local—is crucial. A layered approach that enables collaboration and capacity building at each level can ensure that funding for climate adaptation and ‘loss and damage’ reaches those who need it most, fostering a more sustainable and equitable climate response.

Within these challenges, legal and quasi-legal elements play a significant role in shaping how governance structures respond to ‘loss and damage.’ Legal frameworks influence how funds are allocated, monitored, and held accountable, which ultimately impacts their success at the local level. A robust legal structure can clarify roles, ensure transparency, and streamline access to funds, all of which are essential to the effective use of climate finance.

Local perspectives offer a critical understanding of the specific economic, social, and environmental losses that communities face—often in ways that broader, global frameworks may not fully capture. Engaging local stakeholders in the climate funding dialogue helps clarify how these mechanisms translate into practical, on-the-ground support and identifies gaps where funding and policy may fall short. This engagement is essential not only for accountability but also for generating adaptive strategies that are customized to local needs. When local authorities and community members have a voice in the process, they can help shape interventions that build resilience and empower communities to manage climate risks.

By fostering collaboration among governments, NGOs, local communities, and other stakeholders, this project aims to build comprehensive, adaptive responses to climate loss and damage. Knowledge-sharing across these sectors enhances the effectiveness of policies and promotes sustainable adaptation practices. Through this interdisciplinary approach, the project will yield actionable insights that can strengthen governance, inform policy, and ultimately support communities in building resilience against the adverse impacts of climate change.

How to Apply

Full details available at Sustainable Transitions Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme.

Supervisory team references

1. N. Kurian and T.Arun (2024) Can Kerala access funds from the Loss and Damage Fund? | Explained,  https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/can-kerala-access-funds-from-the-loss-and-damage-fund-explained/article68611070.ece
2. T. Arun (2016) Handbook of Research on Green Economic Development Initiatives and Strategies - Practice, Progress, and Proficiency in Sustainability, IGI Global (co-
   edited with M.Erdodu and I.H.Ahmad)
3. B. Upadhyaya, C. Wijethilake and P. Adhikari, K. Jayasinghe and Thankom Arun (2022) "Integrating Climate Change and livelihood within Public Investment Policies: A Cross Country Assessment in South Asia (India, Sri Lanka and Nepal)”, https://www.pefa.org/news/pefa-research-series-integrating-climate-change-and-livelihood-within-public-investment, PEFA, World Bank.
4. Stephen J. Turner (2017), ‘The Use of Macro Legal Analysis in the Understanding and Development of Global Environmental Governance’ 6 (2) Transnational Environmental Law 237-257.
5. Stephen J. Turner (2014), ‘A Global Environmental Right’ (Earthscan by Routledge) 2014.