In a compelling address at the ‘Mountains, Human and Climate Change: International Dialogue of Experts,’ Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ called for increased economic and technical aid to countries grappling with the harsh impacts of climate change.
Speaking to an assembly of international experts and stakeholders, PM Prachanda highlighted the severe effects of climate change on mountainous regions and urged for immediate and equitable action.
“Due to the terrible injustice committed to us, the mountain ecosystems along with the citizens of the country have been seriously affected by the climate-induced disaster. We strongly demand justice for us,” PM Prachanda stated.
His remarks underscore the pressing need for a robust response to the climate crisis that disproportionately affects countries like Nepal, where the impacts are felt acutely in its mountainous regions.
PM Prachanda emphasized the necessity for adequate, forecastable, and accessible funding and technology, managed under local leadership. He advocated for the operationalization of a loss and damage fund, stressing its importance for providing immediate support in a transparent and equitable manner.
This fund is crucial for the most vulnerable populations, including women, youth, children, people with disabilities, indigenous tribes, and local communities living in the mountains.
“Nepal is fully committed to reducing climate change, with a goal to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, five years ahead of the global target,” PM Prachanda declared. He highlighted Nepal’s dedication to leveraging hydropower to secure clean energy and noted that 45 percent of the country’s land area is already under forest cover, a significant contribution to global carbon sequestration efforts.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, echoed PM Prachanda’s concerns, emphasizing the unique vulnerabilities of the Himalayan region.
He pointed out that the Himalayas are experiencing accelerated snowmelt due to rising temperatures, which poses serious threats to local communities and ecosystems. “The problems caused by climate change will continue to increase.
As this is affecting the Himalayan region more, it seems that people’s life there will become more difficult and complicated,” he noted.
Minister Shrestha called for global cooperation to limit temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius, underscoring that failure to mitigate and adapt to climate change will exacerbate the adverse impacts on the Himalayan region.
He urged the international community to raise its voice for climate justice and to take urgent action to protect these vulnerable areas.
Stakeholders at the dialogue highlighted the multifaceted impacts of climate change on the Himalayas.
Baikuntha Aryal, the Chief Secretary of the Government of Nepal, pointed out the alarming rate at which glaciers are melting, turning once snow-capped mountains into bare rocks.
He stressed the importance of preserving these critical water sources, which provide clean drinking water to 80 percent of the local population.
Dr. Govinda Prasad Sharma, Secretary of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, discussed the increased risks of forest fires, glacial lake outburst floods, and rising sea levels. He urged timely attention to save the mountainous regions from these escalating threats.
International representatives also voiced their concerns and commitments. Karen Welch, director of USAID in Nepal, reaffirmed their partnership in biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.
Rosalaura Romeo from the Mountain Partnership Secretariat of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) emphasized the importance of such dialogues for sharing experiences and addressing the challenges faced by mountain countries.
Dinara Kemelova, the special representative of Kyrgyzstan, highlighted that mountains shelter 30 percent of the world’s population and are vital for providing clean drinking water and hydroelectric power. She called for a global commitment to protecting these indispensable resources.
Hanna Singer Hamdy, the UN resident coordinator in Nepal, stressed the adverse impacts of climate change on the Himalayas and called for increased cooperation to protect these regions. Similarly, Harry Vireau, Chair of the UN Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), emphasized the need for collective solutions to climate-induced disasters such as floods and landslides.
The dialogue in Kathmandu marks a significant step towards raising awareness and fostering international cooperation to mitigate the effects of climate change on the Himalayas. As PM Prachanda and other leaders have highlighted, the time for action is now, and the world must come together to ensure climate justice for the most vulnerable.
