The COP29 climate summit held in Baku, Azerbaijan, concluded with an agreement to mobilize $300 billion annually in climate finance by 2035. However, the outcome has been met with mixed reactions, especially from least-developed countries (LDCs) like Nepal, which continue to bear the brunt of climate change. While some delegates gave the agreement a standing ovation, others were deeply disappointed, labeling it a hollow promise. On social media, frustrated participants and observers called it Hatti Aayo Hatti Aayo Fussa, a Nepali proverb meaning “a great commotion for nothing.”
India’s delegate, Chadani Raina, criticized the deal, stating, “I regret to say that this document is nothing more than an optical illusion... it will not address the enormity of the challenge we all face. Therefore, we oppose the adoption of this document.” Similarly, Nigeria’s Nkiruka Maduekwe, CEO of the National Council on Climate Change, called the commitment of $300 billion “a joke.” These voices reflect the widening gulf between promises made at international summits and the lived realities of vulnerable nations.
The glaring absence of major greenhouse gas emitters, including China and the United States among others, further undermined the credibility of COP29. Together, these nations account for over 70% of global emissions, yet they failed to participate in discussions about global accountability. Their absence underscores the proverb, “the business of all is the business of none,” illustrating how shared responsibilities can be neglected without binding commitments. This absence also reflects a lack of respect for the Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) principle under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which recognizes the historic responsibility of developed nations to lead in addressing climate change.
Nepal’s Unequal Climate Burden
Nepal, despite contributing negligibly to global emissions, faces some of the most severe consequences of climate change. Nestled in the fragile Himalayas, Nepal is uniquely vulnerable to climate-induced disasters. One of the most pressing threats is Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). The nation has identified 47 glacial lakes as high-risk, with catastrophic potential for downstream communities. For instance, in August 2023, a GLOF in Thame village displaced more than 35 households, transforming a once-thriving area into a barren wasteland.
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Erratic monsoons and prolonged rainfall further exacerbate Nepal’s vulnerability. In September 2023, three days of incessant rain caused severe flooding across the Kathmandu Valley, resulting in 250 deaths, 178 injuries, and the destruction of more than 6,000 homes. The economic toll of these disasters is equally devastating, with agricultural losses alone exceeding Rs 8 billion, particularly affecting paddy crops ready for harvest.
The rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers, which serve as critical water sources for billions across South Asia, threatens the region’s water security and biodiversity. Research by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) reveals that glacier melting in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region increased by 65% between 2011 and 2020. These alarming trends underscore the proverb, “we borrow the Earth from our children,” emphasizing the intergenerational urgency of addressing climate change.
Resilience through Community-Based Solutions
Nepal has demonstrated remarkable leadership in community-based adaptation to climate change. The country’s globally renowned community forestry program has empowered local communities to manage over 25% of its forests. These initiatives have transformed degraded landscapes into thriving carbon sinks, absorbing significant amounts of carbon dioxide. Notably, these programs emphasize inclusivity, ensuring the participation of women and marginalized groups in decision-making processes. This approach aligns with the principle of Environmental Justice, which advocates for the fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens.
Nepal’s climate policies align with international frameworks, including the Paris Agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The country has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045 and has already met its goal of maintaining 45% forest cover. However, achieving these targets requires substantial resources. Nepal estimates it will need $33 billion by 2030 to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and $47 billion by 2050 to implement its National Adaptation Plan (NAP).
The Global Failure of Climate Finance
Despite repeated pledges, wealthy nations have failed to deliver on their $100 billion annual climate finance commitment, first made under the Paris Agreement. This failure highlights the inequities in the global climate response. The Polluter Pays Principle (PPP), which asserts that those responsible for pollution must bear the costs of its consequences, has not been effectively implemented.
Nepal’s call for climate justice is firmly rooted in the legal Doctrine of Unjust Enrichment, which argues that no one should unfairly benefit at the expense of others. Wealthy nations have historically profited from industrialization and fossil fuel use, leaving vulnerable countries like Nepal to shoulder the disproportionate costs of climate change. The lack of meaningful global action can also be framed as a crime against humanity, emphasizing the need for binding international agreements to ensure accountability.
Conclusion
While COP29 resulted in a commitment to mobilize $300 billion annually by 2035, the fundamental question remains whether this meager fund will be implemented with bona fide intentions or if it will become yet another strategy to avoid responsibility. The summit failed to hold wealthy nations accountable for addressing climate change through demand-side approaches, such as promoting behavioral change to curb overconsumption and reliance on fossil fuels. Instead, the proceedings have taken on the appearance of a geo-political strategy, reinforcing the narrative of wealthy nations as donors and poor nations as recipients, rather than advancing climate justice.
It must be emphasized that this is not about what wealthy nations are "giving," but about the rights of poor and vulnerable nations to receive reparations for climate damages. From this perspective, COP29 can be seen as a failure to deliver climate justice for vulnerable populations. The lack of accountability raises doubts about whether even the pledged funds will be implemented with sincerity at the grassroots level. This remains to be seen in the coming days, as actions, not words, will ultimately determine the credibility of the commitments made.
As the proverb warns, “a stitch in time saves nine,” and yet, without decisive and transformative measures, HattiaayoHattiayoFussa may become the defining phrase for COP29, symbolizing empty promises that fail to address the pressing needs of vulnerable nations and the planet as a whole.
