Climate Action and Justice Network

Introduction

The Climate Action and Justice Network is a voluntary, non-registered coalition of organizations, groups, and individuals committed to advancing climate action, environmental protection, clean air, environmental human rights, and climate justice in Nepal. Spearheaded by CLEAN UP NEPAL, the network responds to Nepal’s growing environmental crises, air pollution, water pollution, land pollution, deforestation, unsustainable waste management, and climate change impacts by uniting stakeholders across sectors for coordinated advocacy, policy dialogue, and grassroots mobilization. This guideline outline the vision, structure, membership, governance, and operational framework of the Network, ensuring clarity, inclusivity, and effectiveness in its mission.

Objective

The main objective of Climate Action and Justice Network is to establish a clear, flexible, and actionable governance and operational framework for the Climate Action and Justice Network, enabling it to function effectively as a cohesive, multi-level advocacy coalition under the convening leadership of CLEAN UP NEPAL, without requiring formal legal registration.

Guiding Principles:

Open membership to all organizations and groups committed to environmental and climate justice.
Prioritize voices and needs of marginalized communities (Dalits, indigenous peoples, women, youth, sexual and gender minorities, people with disability and so on).
Foster cooperation and collaboration over competition among members.
Evidence-Based Advocacy based on ground actions in research, data, and community experiences.
Ensure open decision-making and resource management to ensure transparency and accountability.
Remain independent of political affiliations.

Membership Provision in Climate Action and Justice Network

Primary Members:
NGOs, CBOs, non-profits, and civil society organizations working in climate, environment, waste management, clean air, human rights, or social justice. Preference given to environmental and climate-focused organizations.
Associate Members:
Youth groups, academic institutions, media, experts, activists, and community volunteers aligned with the network’s vision.

Membership Process

Governance Structure

The Climate Action and Justice Network operates at three interconnected levels:

Province Level Climate Action and Justice Network
The Province Level Network serves as the primary coordinating and executive body of the Network within the province of Nepal. The Provincial network shall consist of 11 members: one (1) Coordinator and ten (10) Member Representatives, all elected from among the member organizations and institutions of the Province Level Climate Action and Justice Network. The Coordinator is responsible for providing leadership, convening meetings, representing the province at the national level, and ensuring the implementation of the network’s action plans. The members are responsible for actively participating in network meetings, leading or supporting assigned activities, mobilizing their respective networks, contributing to planning and reporting, and ensuring accountability. The entire network serves a fixed term of two (2) years. At the end of the term, the network shall be reformed through a new election process. Should any position become vacant during the term, the network may appoint an interim member to serve for the remaining period.
National Level Climate Action and Justice Network
The National Level Climate Action and Justice Network serves as the central coordinating and executive body of the Network. It shall be composed of 21 members: one (1) National Coordinator and twenty (20) Member Representatives. From each Provincial Climate Action and Justice Network, at least three members will be selected from all seven provinces. Each provincial network will decide its three representatives, who will then represent the province at the national level. The National Coordinator will be elected through a decision or voting process among the 21 members of the National Network. The National Coordinator provides strategic leadership, represents the network externally, and ensures alignment with national advocacy goals. Members support coordination, lead national-level Network (policy, campaigns, research), facilitate provincial linkages, and participate in decision-making. Together, they oversee implementation, resource mobilization, and reporting, ensuring cohesive and effective nationwide action for climate and environmental justice.

Core Actions & Activities of the Network

The network will execute a multi-faceted approach centered on advocacy, mobilization, and capacity building. Core activities include:

Engaging with all government tiers to draft, amend, and influence laws, policies on climate, environment, waste, clean air and other relevant.
Launching nationwide campaigns and mobilizing communities through petitions, demonstrations, and local actions.
Conducting workshops, media campaigns, and community programs to educate on climate justice and environmental rights.
Researching and highlighting impacts on marginalized groups, advocating for equitable policy interventions and redress for environmental injustices.
Providing skill development for members and communities in advocacy, waste management, climate action, environmental human rights, climate adaptation, and leadership.
Establishing and operationalizing chapters in all provinces to drive localized advocacy and action.
Conducting collaborative studies, maintaining an online resource hub, and sharing findings to inform public discourse and advocacy.
Building alliances with CSOs, academia, media, private sector, and international bodies to amplify impact.
Tracking implementation of environmental policies, using community monitoring tools and public scorecards to hold stakeholders accountable.
Training journalists and developing toolkits to improve reporting on climate and environmental issues.
Provide a memorandum of delegation addressed to political parties, government bodies, and relevant stakeholders outlining our position and demands on critical environmental issues, budget allocations, and policy manifestos.

To ensure accountability and operational integrity, the Network will leverage the established governance systems of its host, CLEAN UP NEPAL:

Any financial transactions, reporting, or logistical support facilitated for the network will be governed by CLEAN UP NEPAL’s internal policies.
CLEAN UP NEPAL will provide oversight to ensure legal compliance and will support the development of standardized decision-making processes to maintain consistency and unity across the national and provincial levels of the network.