Nepal is advocating for climate compensation from China, India, and the United States in light of the catastrophic floods that recently affected its Bagmati province. The floods, triggered by a significant rock-and-ice avalanche near the Nepal-China border, have resulted in the deaths of at least 1,127 individuals, with around 3,900 people still reported missing. The magnitude of this disaster has led Nepal to assert its rights for reparations from nations that contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

In a strategic move, Prime Minister Balendra ‘Balen’ Shah may attend the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to push for financial support and climate justice. Nepalese Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has stated that the nations in question have a liability to compensate vulnerable countries, which are experiencing the adverse effects of climate change despite minimal contributions to global emissions.

Following the floods, which surged through the Bhotekoshi river basin on August 26, significant infrastructure damage has occurred across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts. Homes, roads, and hydropower facilities have been severely compromised, displacing thousands of people in what Nepal has termed a “Himalayan Tsunami.” Estimates suggest that rebuilding efforts could require between $4-5 billion, representing nearly 10 per cent of the nation’s economy, as per the statements from Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle.

International Advocacy for Climate Justice

To reinforce its position, Prime Minister Shah’s potential attendance at the 81st UNGA is under consideration. Reports indicate this initiative aims to spotlight the flooding crisis and the urgent need for reparations. Initially, Foreign Minister Khanal was slated to attend the UNGA, set to commence on September 8, with the general debate scheduled for later in the month.

As of September 1, more than 1,100 fatalities had been reported, with authorities still working to ascertain the origins of the floods. While it is largely believed that the disaster was initiated in the high-altitude region, comprehensive scientific evaluations will be necessary to accurately identify the triggers and the associated climate-change link. Experts are particularly concerned about the implications for Chinese infrastructure projects situated in the geologically sensitive Himalayan area.

Nepal’s stance highlights its minimal share in global emissions, arguing that it is unjustly vulnerable to impacts such as glacial melting and unstable mountain slopes, which are exacerbated by climate change.

Compensation Framed as Responsibility, Not Charity

Foreign Minister Khanal stressed that the fallout from the Rasuwa floods should not merely be treated as a humanitarian crisis requiring donations. Instead, he asserts that it is essential to frame compensation as a responsibility of major industrialised nations due to their substantial emissions. Khanal has pointed out that the three leading emitters, China, India, and the US, must bear accountability for the repercussions faced by countries like Nepal.

Data from the European Commission’s EDGAR estimates for 2024 confirm that China, the US, and India are the top three emitters in absolute terms. Despite this, India’s per capita emissions—around three tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent—are significantly lower than China’s eleven tonnes and the US’s more than seventeen tonnes. This underscores the complexity surrounding climate accountability, as India advocates for considerations of historical emissions and the differing stages of industrial development among countries.

Nepal’s government has formally reached out to the UN-backed Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, aiming for urgent assistance without being classified as separate claims against the three nations. The letter, co-signed by Finance Minister Wagle and Minister for Forests and Agriculture Geeta Chaudhary, defines the floods as a disaster that has led to widespread death, destruction, and disruption, urging immediate international support.

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