Nepal has demanded climate compensation from India, China and the United States following devastating flash floods that reportedly killed more than 1,000 people and left thousands missing.
Nepal’s Foreign Affairs Minister Shisir Khanal said countries that have historically contributed significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions have a responsibility to compensate climate-vulnerable nations such as Nepal.
Khanal stressed that Nepal’s demand was not a request for charity, but one based on what he described as “legal and moral liability.” He said nations that have contributed heavily to climate change should bear responsibility for the growing losses and damage faced by countries with much lower emissions.
The latest disaster struck Rasuwa district on August 26, near Nepal’s border with China. According to reports, a glacial collapse triggered a massive surge of water and debris, causing widespread destruction downstream and leaving a trail of deaths and missing persons.
Nepal contributes only around 0.04 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet the Himalayan nation remains highly vulnerable to the consequences of climate change. Rapid glacier melt, landslides, flash floods and other climate-related disasters pose increasing threats to communities across the country.
Khanal said Nepal was now seeking to shift its approach to climate diplomacy—from relying primarily on traditional international aid to demanding “justice and compensation” for climate-related losses and damage.
The government is expected to raise the issue at international forums, putting greater emphasis on the principle that countries historically responsible for a large share of global emissions should contribute towards addressing the impact of climate disasters in vulnerable nations.
The demand comes as Nepal continues to struggle with the aftermath of one of its deadliest recent natural disasters. The tragedy has once again brought the issue of historical emissions, climate responsibility and compensation for vulnerable countries to the forefront of the global climate debate.