Nepal's politicians have stated that the country is experiencing significant impacts from climate change attributed to other nations. In response to recent devastating floods in Nepal and China's Tibet region, which resulted in thousands of deaths and disappearances, Nepal is demanding $20 million in compensation. The floods, which occurred on August 26, were triggered by the collapse of a mountain glacier, leading to torrents of water and mud affecting the Rasuwa and Nuwakot regions in Nepal and parts of Tibet. As of now, over 1,300 people have been confirmed dead, with more than 5,000 still missing.
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal emphasized the need for climate justice, stating, "We are paying the ultimate price for a global crisis we did not create." President Ramchandra Paudel echoed this sentiment, urging the international community to take concrete steps towards climate justice for ecologically vulnerable nations like Nepal.
Nepal's Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Environment have submitted a joint request to the United Nations for $20 million in damages, referencing the UN's Loss and Damage Fund established under the 2015 Paris Agreement. However, this fund currently faces a $2.8 billion funding gap as it prepares to launch its first climate recovery projects.
Despite contributing less than 0.1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and generating most of its electricity from renewable sources, Nepal is particularly vulnerable to climate-related disasters due to its geographical location in the Himalayas. Recent studies indicate that glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalaya mountain range are losing ice at an accelerated rate, with Nepal's glaciers having lost nearly one-third of their ice volume in the past three decades due to global warming.
Climate activist Tanuja Pandey highlighted the collective frustration in Nepal regarding the international community's response to climate disasters, stating that attention often comes only after significant loss of life. Activist Shreya KC noted the anger and sadness among Nepalese citizens, emphasizing that they should not continue to bear the impacts of climate change caused by other countries.
Preliminary estimates from Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority indicate that losses from the floods amount to approximately $2.56 billion. However, experts like Joyeeta Gupta from the University of Amsterdam caution that claiming compensation for climate justice is complex. The term "compensation" has largely disappeared from international climate discussions, which have shifted towards providing assistance to developing countries.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) recently stated that all nations have legal duties to prevent significant climate harm, and while its advisory opinion is not legally binding, it could support Nepal's appeal for climate justice and compensation.
Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, where climate justice is expected to be a key topic. Activists like Shreya KC stress the urgent need for financial support from countries contributing to emissions, advocating for funds to be allocated to vulnerable communities as compensation rather than loans.
On September 9, Nepal declared a national day of mourning for the victims of the floods, with President Paudel calling for national unity and solidarity during this time of recovery. Gupta noted that establishing a precedent for compensation for climate-related disasters is crucial, as many developing countries face similar challenges. She argued that the issues faced by countries like Nepal underline the need for accelerated action to combat climate change.