Nepal gears up to host international dialogue on climate change

The government is set to host the International Expert Dialogue on Mountain, People and Climate Change starting May 22. 

The Ministry of Forest and Environment (MoFE) announced that the two-day event will convene experts from relevant sectors in Kathmandu with the aim of fostering consensus among mountain nations, stakeholders, and partners on shared challenges, particularly focusing on mountain-based solutions for addressing climate change concerns.

“This dialogue aims to facilitate a deeper understanding of mountain-climate issues and solutions among governments and stakeholders in mountainous regions and their allies. It seeks to foster the exchange of expertise and experiences, as well as to promote synergies,” said MoFE. 

The areas of collaboration include initiatives such as those outlined in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) mountain work programs and mandates. The dialogue also intends to generate concrete roadmaps and strategies for mountain regions ahead of the 60th session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and beyond. The SBSTA meeting is due to take place in June. 

According to Buddi Sagar Poudel, Joint-secretary and chief of Climate Change Management Division at the MoFE, around 10 participants including Harry Vreuls, chair of the SBSTA, have already confirmed their presence in the dialogue. “We have invited delegates from four fronts—ministers from neighboring and regional countries, officials from UNFCCC and mountain partnership focal point which include 63 countries, officials from 15 organizations including Climate Investment Fund and researchers, scientists and university professors,” he said.

Deepak Kumar Kharal, secretary of MoFE, expressed gratitude for the support extended by various development partners, civil society groups, and Nepali experts in the run up to the dialogue. He also urged all stakeholders, including the media, to contribute significantly to ensure the success of the event.

Mountains are invaluable natural resources, being home to 15 percent of the global population and nearly half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. They provide essential ecosystem goods and services, such as freshwater and clean air, to communities worldwide, particularly those downstream. However, mountains face significant pressures from exploitation, degradation, and the impacts of climate change. 

Despite their importance, mountains often lack adequate recognition and representation in global discussions. The government is hosting the international expert dialogue to underscore the urgency of addressing the challenges and issues of mountain nations. 

Nepal has prioritized promoting the mountain agenda on the global stage lately. The COP28, held from 30 Nov to 13 Dec 2023 in Dubai, served as a crucial milestone in recognizing the impacts of climate change on mountainous regions worldwide, laying the groundwork for further action. 

In several platforms of the climate summit, high-level government officials, including Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal stated that developed countries’ pledges and actions do not correspond with each other and they must raise their ambitions and urgently fulfill their commitments. They also urged the developed countries to scale up climate finance to make up for the $100bn shortfall and double the adaptation finance by 2025, and ensure fair financial arrangements without conditions, constraints, and compliances. 

As the chair of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Nepal also demanded that the loss and damage fund must be predictable, simplified, and adequate for LDCs and mountainous countries. One of the major achievements of the Dubai climate summit was the launch of the loss and damage fund to provide crucial support to vulnerable nations facing the brunt of climate-related challenges. 

The international dialogue to be held in Kathmandu will feature opening and closing plenary sessions, along with thematic discussions centered around three main areas, encompassing two plenary sessions and seven dialogues addressing various aspects of climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The first theme will delve into topics such as evidence of climate change impact, vulnerability, and risks in mountainous regions, as well as emerging threats and the imperative for action within and beyond mountain environments. The second will explore areas such as community-driven adaptation, policy frameworks for sustainability, and the importance of climate justice and local perspectives. And the third theme will focus on the perspective of mountains, emphasizing the potential for economic growth through transitions to cleaner energy sources, the mobilization of climate finance, and the fostering of global cooperation and regional partnerships.

With an expected participation of over 200 representatives from mountainous countries, international organizations, development partners, NGOs, private sectors, and civil society groups, the dialogue aims to facilitate collective insights and conclusions. These outcomes will then be integrated into the SBSTA expert dialogue, including Nepal’s initiative on Sagarmatha Sambad.

Poudel, the chief of Climate Change Management Division at the MoFE, said   that concepts are being developed for the promotion of the event.  “We are also approaching our ambassadors and heads of missions abroad for the promotion, as well as inviting foreign ambassadors to Nepal.”

Poudel said that Nepal is focusing on including the mountain agenda from every front in the SBSTA dialogue to give more visibility for Nepal’s climate agenda. 

“In loss and damage, climate justice, climate finance and climate technology, we will incorporate mountain agenda,” he added.

Climate change expert Madhukar Upadhya said while incorporating the mountain agenda is a good initiative, it would be far better for Nepal to come up with a common regional voice. 

He suggested agriculture as an entry point for a common regional agenda. 

“Every country has faced a crisis in agriculture due to climate change and hence they will be more willing to take ownership of this agenda and make it a strong regional voice.”