Identification of non-economic loss and damage (NELD) indicators and practices in the context of climatic events

Loss and damages (L&D) caused by climate change have become important in international and national discussions. However, the least understood and addressed aspect of L&D is non-economic loss and damages (NELDs). This paper highlights the importance of identifying appropriate NELD indicators and practices to help mitigate them. The findings suggest that community members and officials have different levels of understanding of NELDs, and practices like insurance may not be effective compared to preparedness planning. We suggest the localization of NELD indicators and identifying practices that can mitigate NELDs in a participatory manner. We suggest integrating NELD indicators into local post-disaster L&D assessment formats for quick assessment and use in recovery and long-term risk reduction planning. We emphasize the need for more information on the nature and extent of NELDs caused by climatic events to facilitate better mitigation. The study also identifies the need for addressing related institutional and technical challenges.