Why Nepal is Demanding Climate Justice and Compensation After Deadly Floods

The recent devastating floods in Nepal and China’s Tibet region have left thousands dead or missing, and the country is demanding “climate justice” and $20 million in compensation from the international community. Nepalis feel their suffering is ignored until it becomes impossible to ignore.

Nepal contributes less than 0.1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions but bears the brunt of severe climate and weather events due to its geographical location in the Himalayas. The country has been actively fighting climate change through projects like clean hydropower generation, forestry, and advocacy programs. Climate activist Shreya KC notes, “Because of other countries, today Nepalis are the ones most impacted by climate change. So people want justice.”

The concept of “climate justice” was introduced decades ago but remains elusive in practice. According to Joyeeta Gupta, a professor of Environment and Development in the Global South at the University of Amsterdam, it involves taking others’ perspectives into account and causing no harm to others. Nepal’s low emissions and vulnerability make them eligible for compensation.

However, claiming climate justice is complex. The term disappeared from international climate treaties after 1990 in favor of providing assistance to developing countries tackling climate change. The International Court of Justice’s 2025 advisory opinion on climate change highlights the complexities and limitations of holding nations accountable for their carbon footprint.

Nepal’s demand for $20 million is a fraction of the estimated $2.56 billion property, housing, and infrastructure losses from the floods. The UN’s Loss and Damage Fund faces a $2.8 billion funding gap as it prepares to approve its first climate recovery projects, raising questions about whether “climate justice” can be claimed or if it is merely a euphemism for aid.

The Nepali government’s appeal echoes a familiar narrative: collective action in addressing global problems. However, history suggests that such appeals often fall on deaf ears until disaster strikes. The 2015 Paris Agreement acknowledged the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities and future generations but has seen slow implementation.

As Nepal’s leaders make their plea for climate justice, they are not just asking for compensation; they are also demanding recognition of the right to be heard by the world’s most vulnerable countries. This is about acknowledging the disproportionate burden borne by these nations due to global inaction on climate change, not aid or charity.

The UN’s framework for the Loss and Damage Fund aims to address the consequences of climate change but remains uncertain in its effectiveness. Will this fund provide the much-needed support to countries like Nepal, or will it become just another bureaucratic hurdle? The Nepali government’s demand for $20 million is a desperate cry in the wilderness, echoing the frustrations of countless climate activists around the world.

The question remains: can “climate justice” be claimed, or is it merely a distant dream? As the world grapples with the consequences of its inaction on climate change, Nepal’s plea serves as a stark reminder that time is running out. The fate of millions hangs in the balance, and it is time for collective action to address this global crisis.

As Tanuja Pandey, a Nepal-based climate activist and lawyer, notes, “People here feel the world often pays attention to Nepal only when a climate disaster becomes impossible to ignore.” It’s high time for the international community to listen.