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Tensions are mounting ahead of this year’s U.N. climate summit as vulnerable countries ramp up demands for rich countries to pay compensation for losses inflicted on the world’s poorest people by climate change.

When diplomats from nearly 200 countries meet on 7 November in the beachside resort town of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, negotiations will tackle how to cut the CO2 emissions causing climate change and cope with existing climate impacts, including deadly heatwaves, wildfires, rising seas and drought.

But another issue is likely to dominate the talks: “loss and damage,” or climate-related destruction to homes, infrastructure and livelihoods in the poorest countries that have contributed least to global warming.

The world’s 46 least developed countries, home to 14% of the global population, produce just 1% of the world’s annual CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels, according to the UN.

As COP27 approaches, climate losses are surging – in rich and developing countries alike. In recent weeks, wildfires have swallowed vast swathes of land in Morocco, Greece and Canada, drought has ravaged Italy’s vineyards, and fatal floods hit Gambia and China.

“That’s been the critical juncture. We’ve been affected and talked about it for a long time. But now rich countries are being affected as well,” said Saleemul Huq, an adviser to the Climate Vulnerable Forum group of 55 countries.

Wealthy countries also failed to deliver a promise of $100 billion a year by 2020 to help developing countries lower emissions and prepare for climate change. Loss and damage payments would be in addition to that $100 billion.

“It’s not ambiguous. Finance means money. It means to put your hand in your pocket and bring out a dollar, a euro, a yen and put it on the table for the victims of climate change,” Huq said.