Nepal is demanding $20 million in climate compensation following devastating floods that have claimed over 1,300 lives and left thousands missing. The floods, exacerbated by climate change, were triggered by a melting glacier, highlighting the urgent need for accountability from major polluters like India and China, which contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has stressed that Nepal, contributing less than 0.1% of global emissions, should not bear the brunt of climate disasters. He described the floods as unprecedented, likening them to a tsunami, and warned that such extreme weather events could become more frequent due to climate change.
The request for compensation is not just about immediate relief but aims to prompt a global response to climate justice. Khanal noted that the UN’s loss and damage fund is already facing a significant financing gap, with only a fraction of requested funds received so far.
This situation serves as a wake-up call for the international community to establish robust mechanisms for supporting vulnerable nations like Nepal. As climate impacts escalate, the need for collective action and responsibility becomes increasingly critical, not only for Nepal but for all nations facing similar threats.
Source: The Guardian
