Submit your Article

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UN Climate Change released urgent reports on the escalating levels of greenhouse gasses and the inadequacy of current emissions targets. Both reports underscore the dire need for rapid and aggressive climate policies ahead of COP29, which is set to take place in Baku from Nov 11 to 22.

The WMO reported on Monday that greenhouse gas concentrations reached unprecedented levels in 2023, driving global temperatures higher and committing the planet to years of warming. The UN agency’s annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin highlighted that carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and nitrous oxide concentrations are all at record highs, with CO2 levels climbing at an alarming rate—up more than 10 percent in just two decades.

CO2 concentrations rose by 11.4 percent in the past 20 years, reaching 420 ppm in 2023. Methane and nitrous oxide levels were also significantly elevated, reaching 1,934 ppb and 336.9 ppb, respectively. These values represent 151 percent, 265 percent, and 125 percent increases from pre-industrial levels, according to the WMO’s Global Atmosphere Watch network of monitoring stations.

“These aren’t just statistics; every part per million and every fraction of a degree of temperature increase brings real impacts on our lives and ecosystems,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. The 2023 CO2 increase was 2.3 ppm—the 12th consecutive year with an increase above two ppm—driven by persistent fossil fuel emissions and aggravated by large-scale vegetation fires and the effects of El Niño.

The report underscores the difficulty in meeting the Paris Agreement goals to limit warming below 2°C, with an aspirational target of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. “We are clearly off track,” said Saulo. She stressed that warming feedbacks—where rising temperatures reduce the ability of ecosystems to absorb CO2—pose an even greater risk.

Due to the long atmospheric lifespan of CO2, the current levels of global warming will likely persist for decades, even with rapid emission cuts. “The warming effects of CO2 will not dissipate quickly, locking in temperature increases for generations,” noted Saulo. Radiative forcing—or the warming impact from greenhouse gasses—has increased by 51.5 percent since 1990, with CO2 accounting for 81 percent of this rise.

The WMO report highlighted concerns over the durability of natural carbon sinks. Currently, oceans and land ecosystems absorb nearly half of CO2 emissions, with oceans accounting for a quarter and land ecosystems nearly 30 percent. However, as Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett noted, climate change could reduce these natural carbon sinks’ efficiency. “Warming oceans may absorb less CO2, while wildfires could release more carbon into the atmosphere,” Barrett warned, adding that climate feedback could intensify warming further.

The WMO pointed out that current CO2 levels mirror those of 3m-5m years ago, a period when global temperatures were 2-3°C higher and sea levels were 10-20 meters above today’s levels. With the WMO warning that ecosystems themselves might soon become net emitters of greenhouse gasses, Barrett stressed the urgency of addressing these “vicious cycles” that could exacerbate the crisis and have profound impacts on human society.

These findings align with the UN Environment Program’s recent Emissions Gap Report, which assesses the growing disparity between current emissions and levels needed to meet climate targets.

On Monday, UN Climate Change released its 2024 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Synthesis Report. The report evaluates the collective impact of current national climate plans on anticipated global emissions by 2030, underscoring the critical changes required to avert severe climate impacts. 

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell emphasizes that this report “must mark a turning point, ending the era of inadequacy and sparking a new age of acceleration” with much bolder climate plans needed from all nations in the coming year. 

The report finds that combined global NDCs would lead to a mere 2.6 percent reduction in emissions by 2030 from 2019 levels, only marginally improving on last year’s two percent projection. This falls far short of the 43 percent reduction by 2030 needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C, as advised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Stiell states, “Current national climate plans fall miles short of what’s needed to stop global heating from crippling every economy and wrecking billions of lives and livelihoods across every country.” He emphasizes that “much bolder new national climate plans can not only avert climate chaos—done well, they can be transformational for people and prosperity in every nation.”

The report serves as a wake-up call, highlighting that “emissions of 51.5 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2030—only 2.6 percent lower than in 2019—will guarantee a human and economic train wreck for every country.” 

Stiell urges nations to adopt “ambitious new emissions targets that are economy-wide” and ensure they are backed by “substantive regulations, laws, and funding to ensure goals are met and plans implemented.” He also emphasizes the need for new NDCs to detail adaptation priorities and investments to protect vulnerable sectors and populations.

With COP29 in Baku on the horizon, Stiell stresses the importance of converting commitments from COP28, such as transitioning from fossil fuels and tripling renewables, into concrete policies. He concludes that new NDCs will be among “the most important policy documents” of the century, setting a clear path for renewable energy scaling, strengthened adaptation, and accelerated low-carbon transitions globally.

Both reports aim to inform COP29 discussions, where decision-makers are urged to treat the surging greenhouse gas levels as a “wakeup call” and to adopt more aggressive climate policies.

The Supreme Court has issued a short-term interim order to the CPN-UML not to proceed with the construction of the party office building on land received on donation.

 A single bench of Justice Sunil Kumar Pokharel today issued a short-term interim order not to construct the party office building on the land donated by businessperson Min Bahadur Gurung.

The order states that the construction of the party office building on the 10 ropani 14 anna of land said to have been donated should be stopped until the interim order is discussed and resolved.

The order quotes the provisions of Sections 38 (3) and 38 (6) of the Political Party Act, 2073 BS as well as the provision of financial aid in Section 38(5) of the same Act, which talk about the conditions that need to be met for a political party to receive voluntary donation.

 The order was issued today after a preliminary hearing on the writ petition filed by advocate Dr Gyan Bahadur Basnet demanding annulment of the decision to donate land to UML. The court summoned both sides for a discussion on November 11.

It may be noted the owner of Bhatbhateni Department Company Pvt. Ltd. Min Bahadur Gurung had donated the land located in Kirtipur Municipality-2 of Kathmandu.

CPN-UML Chairperson and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Gurung had jointly laid the foundation stone for the UML headquarters building to be built on the land.

Around 200,000 garlands of makhamali flowers are to be exported for Tihar festival this year.

According to the Floriculture Association of Nepal, 150,000 garlands of makhamali flower were exported last year.

Association Chairperson Dilip Bade said there is a demand for garlands of makhamali flowers especially in the US, Japan, Australia, Korea and some countries in Europe as well as in the gulf. 

Demand for such garlands has been increasing in other countries with an increasing number of Nepalis residing.

Floriculture has expanded in 52 districts including Kathmandu Valley, Kaski, Chitwan, Makawanpur, Kavrepalanchowk, Gulmi, Palpa, Dhading and Morang. However, the country has not become self-dependent on Sayapatri or marigold flowers used during Tihar festival.

Around four million garlands of marigold have been estimated for this year's Tihar festival. However, only 2.5 million garlands are produced in the country. The insufficient number of marigold flower garlands have to be imported from India, added the Association.

Chair Bade mentioned that demand for marigold flowers is increasing by 15 to 20 percent every year. There is a demand of 700,000 more garlands this year as compared to previous year.  Around 3.3 million garlands were demanded in Tihar last year.

The floriculture sector suffered a loss of Rs 150 million this year due to incessant rainfall that occurred in the last week of September.

A total of 450 species of flowers are being produced commercially in Nepal and more than 44,000 people have benefitted from this business, according to the Association.  Floriculture is carried out on 221 hectares of land in Nepal.

The Nepal Calendar Determination Development Committee has announced the auspicious hour for this year's Bhaitika.

Executive Director of the Committee Surya Prasad Dhungel said that the auspicious time for Bhai Tika is 11:37 am, Sunday.

The committee said that the Kija Puja observed by the Newar community will also be celebrated on the same day.

This year's Tihar, the second biggest festival of Nepali Hindus, is starting from Tuesday.

Dhantrayodashi (Dhanteras) festival is celebrated on Tuesday while Yamdeepdan falls on Wednesday. Kag Tihar will also be celebrated on Wednesday itself.

Kukur Tihar and Lakshmi Puja will be celebrated on Thursday.

Gai Puja, Govardhan Puja, Bali Puja, Halitihar, Mhapuja and Nepal Sambat 1145 fall on Saturday.

Similarly, the committee also informed that the Chhath festival falls on Thursday.