“I felt a huge shift in Trek Relief’s direction here,” shared Candice Young, our Founder and Executive Director, after attending the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Scotland.

Originally a disaster response movement, Trek Relief is evolving to address one of the most significant drivers of natural disasters: climate change. Candice’s experience at the conference underscored the urgency of global action, especially after attending a powerful panel discussion featuring Nepalese climate advocates.

Climate Responsibility: A Global Challenge

During the panel, Nepalese speakers called for reparations to address the losses and damages their country will face due to climate change. Their message was clear:

• Those in developed nations—the largest contributors to climate change—often have safety nets such as government aid and insurance to recover from disasters.

• Meanwhile, developing nations, like Nepal, face the harshest impacts without comparable support systems.

They challenged the concept of “donation,” advocating instead for the term “contribution” to emphasize a shared global responsibility for addressing climate change.

Building Partnerships for Action

Inspired by the panelists’ call for solidarity, Candice exchanged contacts with them and later traveled to Nepal for follow-up meetings. These conversations laid the groundwork for a meaningful partnership aimed at supporting climate-focused projects in Nepal.

Trek Relief is now working closely with these leaders to develop initiatives that will bring resources and technical assistance to communities most vulnerable to climate change.

What’s Next? Stay Tuned

This pivotal moment at COP26 is steering Trek Relief toward deeper involvement in climate action. We’re excited to announce that our next projects will take us into Nepal’s iconic and remote regions, where we’ll continue to empower communities while addressing the urgent challenges of climate change.

Thank you for supporting this journey—together, we’re creating a more equitable and sustainable future.

Photo Credit: Weston Boyles, Candice Young