Climate Damage Has a Price. Nepal Can Claim It

Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s visit to the United States to attend and address the UN General Assembly comes at a time when Nepal has suffered an unimaginable catastrophe linked to environmental degradation and carbon emissions. Climate justice advocates around the world are calling for compensation for Nepal. These voices could strengthen the prime minister’s position as he makes a strong and legitimate claim for compensation from the international community for the recent flood damage caused, in part, by carbon emissions from major contributors. He may urge the contributors to provide justifiable compensation, cautioning that failure to address such foreseeable losses and damages could invite mass tort actions, while also calling on the international community to take stronger measures to prevent similar disasters.