KATHMANDU, JULY 5

Recognizing the growing impact of climate change on humanity, BYN BLACKYAK officially announced the 'Himalayan Climate Charter 2025' during a special ceremony held in Kathmandu, calling for urgent global attention and collective action to safeguard the future of the Himalayas.

In collaboration with the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, and the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), the 'Summit for Earth' was organized to bring together experts, policymakers, media representatives, and the mountaineering community.

At the Summit for Earth today, participating organizations expressed deep concern over the escalating climate crisis in the Himalayas and jointly signed the 'Himalayan Climate Charter 2025'-a declaration outlining core principles and strategic actions to promote climate justice.

The declaration emphasizes both global carbon reduction efforts and the local wisdom of Himalayan communities. It calls for amplifying the voices of Sherpas and Icefall Doctors while integrating modern tools-like drones and satellite technology-to bridge tradition and innovation.

BLACKYAK, along with the three co-hosting organizations, committed to immediate climate action, ongoing clean-up campaigns in the Himalayas, technological and community-based collaboration, transparent disclosure of environmental data, amplification of voices from climate frontlines, and the strengthening of global partnerships and solidarity.

Opening the session, BLACKYAK Chairperson Kang Tae Sun reflected on the environmental changes witnessed globally. He recounted how the sight of motionless turtles on the shores of Jeju Island, his hometown in South Korea, deeply moved him and underscored the urgent need to address the consequences of climate change on humanity.

Kang Tae Sun stated, 'Just as the silent warning from the Himalayas tells us that changes starting at the highest point will inevitably reach the lowest, the climate crisis here has become a shared concern for all of humanity. This declaration is not merely a document of promises but a unified call to action for climate justice. We hope this message will resonate globally and inspire meaningful change. BLACKYAK, with its deep-rooted connection to the Himalayas, will continue to stand in solidarity throughout this journey.

Highlighting the impacts of climate change in Nepal, Ang Tshering Sherpa-Chief Advisor of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and a member of the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA)-shared the devastating consequences, including glacial melting, floods, biodiversity loss, and other disasters.

Meanwhile, Migma Sherpa, Chairperson of Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, emphasized that instead of relying solely on government funding for Himalayan clean-up campaigns, a fixed portion of the royalties collected from mountaineers should be earmarked specifically for such initiatives.

During the panel discussion themed 'Climate Change in the Himalayas,' moderator Tshering Sherpa, CEO of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), opened the session by asking Dr. Maheshwor Dhakal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Environment, whether the voices of Himalayan communities were reflected at the policy level during the recently concluded Sagarmatha Sambad.

In response, Dr. Dhakal emphasized, 'Glacier melt is the gateway to all cascading effects downstream. If we want to save the planet, we must start by saving the mountains.' He added that 25-point declaration on the Sagarmatha Call for Action remains focused on the Himalayas, their people, and the rapidly melting glaciers.

'I have been lobbying for climate change to be addressed alongside biodiversity loss,' Dr. Dhakal added, underscoring the interconnectedness of environmental challenges in the Himalayan region. He also assured that the at least 80 per cent of the Green Climate Fund and other climate-related financial resources will reach the grassroots communities most affected by climate change and emphasized on the circular economy.

Likewise, Dr. Pasang Yanji Sherpa, Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia, Canada, expressed optimism regarding the full implementation of the Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPA) framework, which was introduced in 2012 and 2013 to help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change.

'As a member of the scientific advisory community of the IPCC, I would advise the IPCC Chair on how to engage with multiple knowledge systems, including indigenous and scientific perspectives,' she added.

'It is the smaller glacial lakes-not the larger ones-that are having the most detrimental impact. Yak herders are on the frontlines, bearing the brunt of climate change,' Sherpa noted. 'I am deeply concerned about the increasing frequency of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). The real question is: are we adequately prepared to face them?

Similarly, Dr. Ghana Shyam Gurung, Country Representative of WWF Nepal, emphasized, 'We must be concerned not only about food security but also about spiritual well-being in the context of our rapidly changing climate.'

He highlighted the need to closely monitor the development of permafrost in the glacier regions, given its critical role in the Himalayan ecosystem.

Speaking on the importance of citizen science, Dr. Dhiraj Pradhananga, Head of the Department of Meteorology at Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, stressed the lack of localized monitoring and public awareness. 'There is an urgent need for proper data science integration, community engagement, and education among local populations,' he said.

He further called on the younger generation to pursue research in glacier studies, socio-economic impacts, and food security, which are vital to building resilience in the face of climate change.

Likewise, Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Director General of ICIMOD, emphasized the importance of evidence-based policymaking. Referring to ICIMOD's research efforts, he said, 'We work in close collaboration with stakeholders to collect scientific data, which we present at international conferences to influence policy and translate knowledge into action.' He further stressed that 'climate change is not a challenge any single country can address alone-it requires transboundary collaboration across the Hindu Kush Himalayan region.'

Dr. Gyamtsho underscored the need for joint mitigation efforts, particularly emphasizing the upstream–downstream linkages between countries. 'Regional cooperation is essential to tackle the transboundary nature of climate impacts,' he added.

Expressing deep concern over the escalating climate crisis, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey underscored the need for unified action to conserve the Himalayas, describing them as the 'Heart of the Earth' and vital to human survival.

Minister Pandey further announced that the government's Clean Mountain Strategy 2082 is in its final stages, with a focus on waste management, environmental conservation, and the promotion of responsible tourism.