Nepal contributes negligibly to global greenhouse gas emissions yet faces some of the world’s most severe climate risks, including accelerated glacier retreat, erratic rainfall, floods, and landslides. These hazards threaten lives, livelihoods, and vital sectors such as agriculture, hydropower, biodiversity, water resources, infrastructure, and tourism. This paradox lies at the heart of climate justice: countries least responsible for the crisis are the most affected, while receiving inadequate international support. For Nepal, the challenge is further compounded by a significant financing gap, as climate finance remains scarce, unevenly distributed, and heavily skewed toward mitigation rather than urgently needed adaptation.

Despite its high vulnerability to climate change, Nepal has actively advanced its climate and mountain agenda on the international stage. Milestones such as the 2009 Kala Patthar cabinet meeting, the 2024 International Experts Dialogue on Mountains, Climate, and People, the 2025    Sagarmatha Sambaad, and sustained advocacy at COP28 have elevated the mountain agenda globally. Complementing these diplomatic efforts, domestic achievements in forest conservation, renewable energy expansion, and electric mobility have strengthened Nepal’s moral authority, while engagement with the International Court of Justice on state obligations adds legal weight to its position. Collectively, these initiatives underscore Nepal’s dual role as a nation both highly exposed to climate risks and a proactive advocate for climate justice.

Despite notable progress, gaps remain both domestically and internationally in advancing Nepal’s climate justice agenda. At the international level, challenges include limited negotiation capacity, the absence of a permanent expert negotiation team, and a lack of a clear strategy to coordinate with like-minded nations. Domestically, while climate justice has gained political traction, it is not yet systematically embedded in Nepal’s laws and policies. Key frameworks such as the National Climate Change Policy, the National Adaptation Plan, and the Environment Protection Act only partially reflect justice considerations. This dual shortfall underscores the urgency of developing a dedicated Climate Justice Framework and Roadmap to guide national action and enhance Nepal’s effectiveness on the global stage.

Looking ahead, Nepal must align policies, institutions, and financing mechanisms with climate justice principles, ensuring that vulnerable groups—particularly women, children, and indigenous communities—are at the center of planning and implementation. Embedding justice into development and disaster risk reduction strategies, establishing a permanent multi-sectoral negotiation team, and articulating a clear stance on climate finance will be essential steps. By advancing these priorities, Nepal can transform its vulnerabilities into a platform for global leadership, ensuring that justice, equity, and inclusion remain central to both domestic climate action and international advocacy.