Dhangadhi Climate Justice Event Raises Eight-Point Demands for Finance and Loss-and-Damage Support

Dhangadhi: Youth and civil society groups in Dhangadhi have organized an advocacy event demanding fair redress for communities affected by climate change and adequate, easily accessible climate finance.

The event, held on Friday at Park Mod (Jenji Marga) in Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City, saw the participation of youth, children, women, individuals of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, persons with disabilities, civil society members, and representatives from various social sectors.

Participants drew the attention of the government and the international community to the cause of climate justice through slogan-shouting, poster displays, street-corner meetings, and discussions.

Speaking at the event, climate justice activist Padam Bahadur Saud stated that the climate crisis is not merely an environmental issue but one directly linked to human life, livelihoods, food security, health, the economy, infrastructure, and social justice. He emphasized the need for adequate, accessible, transparent, and predictable climate finance for developing and vulnerable communities that have contributed minimally to climate change yet bear the brunt of its impacts.

Participants called upon the government and the international community with slogans such as “Commitments made—now implement them,” “Promises made—now ensure the finance,” and “Losses incurred—now ensure fair redress for loss and damage.”

The participants asserted that climate finance should prioritize grant-based support rooted in need and justice rather than creating an additional debt burden. They also emphasized that countries with high greenhouse gas emissions and abundant resources must take immediate and effective steps to reduce emissions in accordance with their responsibilities.

Participants observed that despite various international commitments to address climate-induced loss and damage, the direct benefits have not adequately reached affected communities. They demanded the establishment of transparent, effective, and accountable mechanisms to ensure that climate finance reaches these communities.

Furthermore, they called for meaningful participation of youth, women, children, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, individuals of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, and other vulnerable communities in climate-related decision-making processes.

Through an eight-point agenda, the organizers presented demands to the government and the international community in pursuit of climate justice. They urged the assurance of adequate and easily accessible climate finance, the rapid delivery of funds for climate-induced loss and damage to affected communities, and the prioritization of grant-based support.

Additionally, they demanded the acceleration of greenhouse gas emission reduction programs, the strengthening of protection and adaptation measures for vulnerable communities, and meaningful participation of these communities in climate decision-making.

The organizers also called upon the leadership of the Government of Nepal to effectively raise issues regarding climate justice, climate finance, and loss and damage before the international community.

They emphasized that climate justice is not merely a matter of charity or aid but is fundamentally linked to responsibility, equity, and human rights. They maintained that sustained pressure from civil society is essential to ensure that the voices of communities most affected by the climate crisis are heard in national and international decision-making processes.

They have called upon the United Nations, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, developed and high-emitting nations, international financial institutions, and the global community to translate climate justice commitments into concrete actions, adequate financing, and results that are directly experienced by affected communities.