The Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage guides the implementation of the functions of the Mechanism through the workplan of the Committee. The Executive Committee currently has four thematic expert groups which serve in an advisory role to the work of the Committee. Through these expert groups, the Executive Committee engages a large number of experts, as well as implementing agencies, organizations, and networks with relevant expertise. The focus of the current four thematic expert groups are: slow onset events, non-economic losses, displacement related to the adverse impacts of climate change, and comprehensive risk management and transformational approaches

New elements and dimensions of loss and damage under the Paris Agreement (Article 8)

The Paris Agreement reaffirmed the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage as the main vehicle under the UNFCCC process to avert, minimize and address loss and damage associated with climate change impacts, including extreme weather events and slow onset events.

Establishing a Clearing House for Risk Transfer

The Paris Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP 21, December 2015) requested the Executive Committee to establish a clearing house for risk transfer that serves as a repository for information on insurance and risk transfer, in order to facilitate the efforts of Parties to develop and implement comprehensive risk management strategies (see decision 1/CP.21, paragraph 48).

The clearing house was launched at COP 23 and is named the Fiji Clearing House for Risk Transfer. It catalyzes action and support by non-state actors, especially from the insurance industry, including the private sector, by directly connecting those seeking assistance with those providing solutions, and by enhancing knowledge and understanding on risk transfer solutions in the context of climate risk management.

Creating a Task Force on Displacement

Climate change can threaten the resilience and safety of people, sometimes causing them to become displaced from their homes and communities. Recognizing the needs of countries on displacement related to the adverse effects of climate change, the COP created a Task Force to develop recommendations for integrated approaches to avert, minimize and address displacement related to the adverse impacts of climate change (see decision 1/CP.21, paragraph 49).

The Task Force complements, draws upon the work of and involves, as appropriate, existing bodies and expert groups under the UNFCCC process as well as relevant organizations and expert bodies outside the Convention.

The Executive Committee is entrusted by the COP to operationalize this Task Force on Displacement.