In the aftermath of catastrophic floods that have ravaged Nepal and regions of China’s Tibet, the Himalayan nation is seeking “climate justice” by requesting $20 million in compensation. The disaster has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives, with over 1,300 confirmed dead and more than 5,000 missing.
The calamity, attributed by scientists to climate change, occurred when a segment of a mountain glacier collapsed, unleashing torrents of water and mud into Nepal’s Rasuwa and Nuwakot regions and China’s Tibet on August 26. Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “We are paying the ultimate price for a global crisis we did not create.” He stressed that support should be viewed through the lens of climate justice rather than aid.
President Ramchandra Paudel echoed these sentiments, urging global action to secure climate justice for ecologically vulnerable nations like Nepal. In a joint letter, Nepal’s Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Environment formally requested $20 million from the United Nations’ Loss and Damage Fund, established in 2022 under the Paris Agreement to address climate change impacts. However, the fund faces a $2.8 billion shortfall as it prepares to initiate its first projects.
‘Collective frustration’
Nepal, contributing less than 0.1% to global greenhouse emissions and relying on renewable energy, is disproportionately affected due to its Himalayan location. Glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalaya, spanning several countries, lost ice 65% faster from 2011 to 2020 compared to the previous decade. Nepal’s glaciers have suffered significant ice volume loss over three decades, as reported by the United Nations in 2023.
Climate activist Tanuja Pandey notes the collective frustration in Nepal over the global focus that intensifies only after disasters become unavoidable. “People here feel the world often pays attention to Nepal only when a climate disaster becomes impossible to ignore,” she told Al Jazeera.
Nepali climate activist Shreya KC expressed the urgency for justice, emphasizing that the impact of climate change is acutely felt by those not responsible for it. She highlighted her hometown in Solukhumbu, known for Mount Everest, as vulnerable to similar events due to rapid glacial melting.
Is there such a thing as ‘climate justice’?
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority estimates flood damages at $2.56 billion. Yet, obtaining compensation under “climate justice” is complex. Joyeeta Gupta, a professor at the University of Amsterdam, underscores the moral obligation to address climate change’s uneven impact. She defines climate justice as a system that considers diverse perspectives without causing harm.
Historically, discussions about compensating affected countries diminished, shifting toward assistance for climate change mitigation. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a 2025 advisory opinion, stating that nations have legal duties to prevent significant climate harm and may owe reparations for breaches. Although non-binding, this opinion could bolster Nepal’s claims.
‘No climate justice without internal justice’
Prime Minister Balendra Shah is set to address the UN General Assembly, with climate justice as a focal point. Activist Shreya KC stresses the need for immediate financial support, as funds for essential services are redirected to combating climate change. She urges higher commitments from major emitters to the UN’s Loss and Damage Fund, emphasizing compensation for at-risk communities.
Pandey points out that internal development models must also prioritize climate resilience. She remarks, “Investing in Nepal without investing in sustainability is simply a bad investment.” On a national day of mourning, President Paudel called for unity and reconstruction, while Gupta highlighted the challenge of setting a compensation precedent for climate-related disasters.
Gupta notes that future climate challenges, including changing monsoon patterns and rising sea levels, may deter wealthier nations from compensating affected countries, fearing precedent. However, she argues that Nepal’s situation is a compelling reason to accelerate global efforts to phase out fossil fuels and combat climate change.
Original Story at www.aljazeera.com