Nepal says big polluters must ‘wake up’ as it calls for climate compensation over flood disaster — SkimNews
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- Nepal formally requested $20m from the UN’s loss and damage fund, citing its minimal contribution to global emissions and the disproportionate impact of climate-driven disasters
- Shisir Khanal, Nepal’s foreign minister, described the flood as a 'tsunami from the Himalayas' with waves up to 70 feet moving at 180km/h, wiping out towns and infrastructure
- Scientists believe the climate crisis contributed to the disaster, triggered by a melting glacier collapse in late August that caused landslides and flash flooding across Tibet and Nepal
- The UN admitted its loss and damage fund faces a significant financing gap, having received $2.8bn in requests but only $400m in contributions, including $17m from the U.S.
- Khanal emphasized the need for long-term preparedness funding, noting that while $20m is far below estimated $5bn+ in damages, the request aims to establish stronger support mechanisms for vulnerable nations
Why it matters: Nepal’s formal claim highlights a growing material divide: countries responsible for the vast majority of emissions face little obligation to pay, while low-emission nations like Nepal confront recovery costs exceeding $5bn. The $20m request—less than 0.4% of needed funds—underscores the inadequacy of current global mechanisms despite established UN frameworks.
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