Nepali Youth raise Climate Justice demands at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye

ANTALYA, TÜRKİYE –Nepali youth and civil society representatives joined thousands of activists, young people, and civil society members from across the world in a major climate justice march during the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), taking place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9–20. Representing Nepal’s youth and civil society movement, Yogesh Kaphle of Youth Initiative, Pawan Gautam of Social Impact, Prayas Adhikari of People’s Movement for Climate Justice, Bhagawati Adhikari of Mahila Ekata Samaj, and Arjun Bhattrai, President of NGO Federation of Nepal, participated in the global mobilization, bringing the concerns of Nepal’s climate-vulnerable communities to the international platform and standing in solidarity with communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

Under the message “Nepal: From Sagarmatha to the Sea,” the Nepali delegation highlighted the urgent need to recognize mountain-specific climate challenges in global climate negotiations. Drawing attention to melting glaciers, increasing climate-induced disasters, and the growing vulnerability of mountain communities, the delegation emphasized the interconnected impacts of climate change on mountain, downstream, and coastal populations. They also brought international attention to the devastating impacts of the Bhote Koshi disaster, highlighting the struggles of affected families who have lost homes, livelihoods, and security. Through collective participation, advocacy, and solidarity with thousands of climate activists, Nepali youth called for greater international recognition of Nepal’s climate realities and meaningful support for affected communities.

The delegation raised key demands for climate justice, accessible climate finance, and accountability, calling on developed and high-emitting countries to fulfil their climate commitments and take ambitious action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Their demands included adequate, predictable, and accessible finance for loss and damage; direct grant-based support rather than loans that deepen the debt burden of vulnerable countries; protection of Indigenous Peoples and frontline communities; dedicated international action for mountain regions; and economic justice for countries that have contributed the least to the climate crisis but are experiencing its greatest impacts. Raising slogans such as “Justice for Bhote Koshi, Justice for Nepal,” “What We Didn’t Cause, We Should Not Pay For,” “Fund the Recovery, Protect the Community,” and “Climate Finance Must Be Grants, Not Loans,” the Nepali youth made a collective call to ensure that the voices, rights, and demands of disaster-affected communities are not overlooked in global climate decision-making.

The participation of Nepali youth alongside civil society leadership at COP31 demonstrated the importance of youth-led advocacy, international solidarity, and collective action in connecting grassroots realities with global climate negotiations. By joining the international climate justice march and mobilizing around Nepal’s climate concerns, the delegation sought to amplify the voices of mountain communities and disaster-affected families, particularly those impacted by the Bhote Koshi disaster, while strengthening calls for climate accountability. As negotiations continue in Antalya, the Nepali delegation reaffirmed that climate justice must move beyond political commitments and translate into concrete action, fair financial support, and protection for vulnerable communities. Their message to the international community remains clear: Those who contributed least to the climate crisis should not bear its greatest cost. Nepal needs climate justice, not empty promises.