The comments marked the first time the two nations have been lumped into the list of major emitters that island states say should be held to account for damage already being wrought by global warming.Prime Minister Gaston Browne, speaking on behalf of the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS) negotiating bloc, told reporters the world's first- and third-biggest greenhouse gas emitters - though still emerging economies - have a responsibility to pay into a fund.In U.N. climate talks, the phrase "loss and damage" refers to costs already being incurred from climate-fuelled weather extremes or impacts, like rising sea levels."Now we have a starting point, so it is more streamlined and more focused and hopefully by the end of the two weeks we'll have something that would identify the road map, the milestones to deliver," he said.For daily comprehensive coverage on COP27 in your inbox, sign up for the Reuters Sustainable Switch newsletter hereOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles."