Climate change is an escalating threat to humanity and the planet, disproportionately affecting nations and populations that have contributed least to the problem. These disadvantaged groups often lack the resources and agency to influence decisions impacting their lives. Climate justice emphasises that responsibilities for addressing climate change should align with contributions to the problem, considering systemic socio-economic and intergenerational inequalities.

The crisis exacerbates economic disparities between countries, hindering poorer nations’ ability to provide basic services and invest in sustainable development goals (SDGs). It intensifies competition for scarce resources like food, water, arable land and forests, restricting access for the poor and heightening socio-economic inequalities. Reports show that from 2010 to 2020, areas highly vulnerable to floods, droughts and storms experienced a mortality rate 15 times greater than regions with very low vulnerability. However, those most affected have the least influence on climate-related decisions, and policies often overlook their concerns and priorities.

The Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement, established during COP21, marked a significant milestone in recognising climate injustice. Its aims include limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, building resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate impacts, and securing finance and support for low-carbon and climate-resilient development.

Despite these goals, the global stocktake of the Paris Agreement at COP28 revealed slow progress in all areas of climate action, highlighting the urgent need for rapid greenhouse gas emission reductions. According to the Climate Policy Initiative (2023), less than 3 percent of the global total of adaptation finance went to or within least developed countries, and the 10 countries most affected by climate change, including Nepal, only received less than 2 percent of total climate finance between 2000 and 2019.

Nepal in climate justice

As a least-developed, mountainous nation contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, Nepal is uniquely positioned to advocate for global climate justice. The country faces disproportionate warming rates and erratic precipitation; its Himalayan glaciers at risk of significant volume loss by 2100. Nepal's economy, heavily reliant on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, tourism and hydropower, is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts.

Nepal is a party to key international climate agreements, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. The country has developed a comprehensive climate change policy, a national adaptation plan (NAP) and a long-term strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. Notably, Nepal has achieved its target of maintaining 45 percent forest cover by 2030 and is progressing well in clean energy generation and electric vehicle use. However, the country requires substantial financial support of $33 billion to achieve its 2030 NDC targets and $47 billion to implement NAP priority programmes by 2050.

Recent leadership and milestones

Nepal has prioritised mountain and climate change issues since preparing its National Adaptation Programme of Actions (NAPA) in 2010. Building on previous initiatives, the Government of Nepal began to systematically advocate for the mountain agenda in national and global forums last year. In 2023, Nepal initiated a systematic approach to climate justice. At the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Climate Ambition Summit (2023), COP28 and the Non-Aligned Movement, former PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal highlighted critical issues: Keeping global temperature increases below 1.5 degrees Celcius, delivering $100 billion per year to developing countries by 2025, doubling adaptation finance, ensuring climate finance is adequate and transparent, and addressing the concerns of vulnerable groups in climate action.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s visit to Nepal further bolstered this advocacy, as he witnessed the devastating effects of climate change on the mountains and interacted with local communities. Guterres’s subsequent addresses called for committed international financial support for climate action, resonating with the urgency of Nepal’s situation.

At COP28, Nepal hosted high-level sessions, including a “Call of the Mountains” roundtable, emphasising the need for expert dialogue on “Mountains and Climate.” The COP28 decision to hold an expert dialogue on mountains and climate change at the 60th session of the SBSTA in Bonn in June 2024 was a significant achievement. Nepal further hosted the “Mountains, People, and Climate” international dialogue in May 2024 in Kathmandu, strengthening solidarity and prioritising mountain-based actions for climate justice.

Immediate priorities and next steps

Nepal must review and enhance its policies, institutions and capacities to address global and national climate needs. The second Environment Protection and Climate Change Management National Council meeting established a high-level task force to review and analyse existing policies, institutional capacities and coordination mechanisms, including learning from international practices. The task force’s recommendations must be reviewed and adopted for effective implementation.

Nepal’s capacity in international climate negotiations is inadequate due to the absence of a permanent negotiation team. A plan to form a permanent multi-sector negotiation team and enhance its capacity is underway, aiming to strengthen Nepal’s negotiation abilities at COP29 and beyond.

Provisions related to climate actions in key government plans and programmes, such as the 16th Plan and the policies for the next fiscal year, must be implemented. This includes adopting risk-informed development practices, promoting climate-resilient infrastructure, applying an integrated approach to harmonise climate change and disaster risk planning and implementation, promoting international dialogue on climate change impacts on mountains and people and enhancing Nepal’s access to international climate finance. These include loss and damage funds as principles of climate justice and a rights-based approach.

Moreover, the Government of Nepal (GoN) should prepare a strategic roadmap to define and support its journey to climate justice. This roadmap will reaffirm the government’s position and provide a pathway for advocacy. The GoN has already submitted a written statement to the International Court of Justice regarding state obligations concerning climate change and should actively participate in subsequent phases.

Ensuring the participation and mobilisation of government, parliamentarians, civil society and the private sector is also crucial for a unified voice and commitment to climate justice. Nepal must clarify its position on accepting international climate finance and its conditionalities, emphasising that loans for resilient livelihoods or compensating loss and damage contradict social and environmental justice principles.

Equally vital is continuing unified efforts among government, private sector and civil society, including marginalised and indigenous groups. By maintaining this momentum, Nepal can lead the global agenda on climate justice, advocating for the rights of vulnerable populations and contributing to the sustainable future of humanity and the planet.