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AAP
AAP
National
Nick Wilson

Nepal floods a climate 'wake-up call' for Australia

The glacier collapse triggered devastating floods, wreaking widespread havoc. (Suryams Upreti/AAP PHOTOS)

Australia is being urged to do more to help countries on the brink of climate disaster following the catastrophic floods along the Nepal-Tibet border.

A coalition of 57 climate, human rights and community groups travelled to Canberra on Wednesday to demand the Australian government stop approving new fossil fuel projects, increase climate financing and end fossil fuel subsidies.

It comes three weeks after a glacier collapse triggered devastating floods in the Himalayas, leaving almost 1400 people dead and more than 5100 missing.

damaged buildings near the Nepal-China border
The disaster exposed the humanitarian costs of climate inaction, climate groups say. (Suryams Upreti/AAP PHOTOS)

Among the missing are 35 Australians, added to separate losses on the Tibetan side of the border.

In an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday, the groups said the disaster exposed the humanitarian cost of climate inaction.

"The climate catastrophe facing communities in Nepal and Tibet provides a glimpse into the future for communities across Australia and the world," it reads.

"We urge you to act with the urgency that this crisis demands."

Signatories include groups such as Greenpeace and Amnesty International and representatives of Australia's Nepali, Tibetan and South Asian communities.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Anthony Albanese is being urged to take strong action on climate change. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi, who joined the announcement at Parliament House on Wednesday, said Australia carried responsibility for global climate disasters.

"As one of the largest exporters of fossil fuels, Australia has a responsibility to take strong action on climate and support those bearing the worst consequences," she said.

The letter argues Nepal, which contributes 0.1 per cent of glocal greenhouse gas emissions, should not be left to shoulder billions in recovery costs.

"It's hugely unjust," Michelle Higelin, executive director at signatory ActionAid Australia told AAP.

"They're expected to pick up the pieces and plunge into debt as a result of high polluting countries like Australia not stepping up."

Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi
Mehreen Faruqi says Australia should support those bearing the worst consequences of climate change. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

The Albanese government has committed $11 million in humanitarian funding in the wake of the floods, an amount the signatories likened to a "drop in the ocean".

The Nepali government estimates rebuilding from the disaster will cost as much as $US5 billion, about one-tenth of the nation's GDP.

Ms Higelin said the floods should be a "wake-up call" to the federal government, adding that the Australian people had picked up the slack through private donations.

She called on Australia to use its position as president of negotiations at the upcoming COP31 conference to take a leadership role in climate financing.

"That's an opportunity to ensure there is a high level of ambition ... particularly when we see countries like the US pulling back from global climate commitments," she said.

The federal government delivered $3.9 billion in climate finance from 2020 to 2025.

The open letter says Australia should commit $11 billion over the next five years, while ending fossil fuel subsidies and new fossil fuel projects.

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