KATHMANDU, JANUARY 12
Inaugurating the third annual conference on 'Climate Change and Sustainability of Trade in South Asia' organised jointly by the World Trade Organisation and the Kathmandu University in Kathmandu on Saturday, Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel reminded representatives from nine countries, including Nepal, India, Bangladesh, China, Turkey, and Indonesia, that Nepal is at the forefront of climate change vulnerability, resulting in adverse socioeconomic impacts.
"Efforts made by Nepal despite its negligible role in climate change need to be made visible. Climate actions like mitigation and adaptation should be prioritised," he said.
Dr Achyut Wagle, Registrar of Kathmandu University, stated at the same programme that continuous action is required to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Speaking at a program organised by the Department of Environment and Climate Change of the Nepali Congress (NC) on Friday, NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba said the use of diesel and petrol should be reduced and efforts should be concentrated to maximise the use of electric vehicles.
"Nepal is vulnerable to climate change impacts. Thus, we should not just reduce its effects, but we should echo messages to the world from our actions," he said.
"The sea level has risen. The mountains are turning bare. It all indicates we must pay attention to climate change impacts."
Minister for Forest and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi also stated, "while Nepal's contribution to carbon emissions is negligible, we are paying the price. But Nepal is playing a pivotal role in addressing the climate crisis," he said.
Meanwhile, speaking at a blanket distribution program organised by the Safe Motherhood Network Federation on Thursday, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba emphasised the devastating impact of climate change on Nepal's environment and livelihoods. "Unseasonal rainfall due to climate change in late September, after the monsoon had already retreated, caused flash floods and landslides. It has posed a significant risk of losing lives and property due to these unprecedented disasters," she said.
Stating that despite contributing minimally to global climate change, Nepal has been disproportionately affected by its consequences, she said, "The inundation and landslides that struck Nepal last September were caused by climate change, driven primarily by developed countries' actions. Nepal has endured substantial losses, yet it bears no responsibility for these disasters."
Minister Rana also expressed concern about accountability at the global level. "Who will compensate Nepal for the damage caused by unseasonal disasters? Nepalis are suffering for actions they did not commit, and we need answers to this injustice," she asserted.
Highlighting the dire implications for future generations, she said, "With water sources drying up due to climate change, the next generation will face severe challenges."
Prior to this, minister Rana drew the attention of the International Court of Justice in December during her oral presentation on the 'Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change.' She shared that climate change is a threat to people's human rights and that responsible countries must take action.
Nepal has a climate change policy, a national adaptation plan, and a long-term strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. Nepal is a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement.
According to reports, Nepal requires significant financial assistance to meet its climate change targets. The National Adaptation Plan estimates that effective mitigation and adaptation will cost $ 47 billion by 2050.
"Developed countries bear a responsibility to provide financial and technical assistance to vulnerable countries such as Nepal," Minister Rana stated.