.jpg)
KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has informed the global community that Nepal is suffering the worst in the face of climate change despite its negligible role in greenhouse gas emissions.
Addressing the UN climate change summit, COP28, ongoing in Dubai, UAE, PM Dahal reminded, "Due to sheer injustice to us, Nepalis are plagued by extreme weather events."
He further said the report of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) disappointed him. The climate change-induced disaster has made a record in mountain regions. PM Dahal further shared that the glaciers are receding fast and are likely to lose one-third of mass as per scientists. It is a warning bell.
Mountain is the foundation of human civilisation, ecosystem and biodiversity, so it must be protected. It is also the source of livelihood for many people living downhill.
He asserted that climate injustice to Nepal must end now. He further recounted the recent visit of the UN Secretary-General to Nepal where he took stock of climate change effects.
PM Dahal reiterated Nepal's nationally determined construction and climate action as per Paris Accord commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2045, which is five years earlier than global ambition.
Also shared by the PM during the event was 45% forest coverage in Nepal, optimum use of hydropower for clean energy, financial and technical constraints in the implementation of climate action.
He demanded doubling the climate finance pledge of 100 billion dollars by 2025 along with easy operationalisation of the loss and damage fund.
According to him, grants should be provided to face climate crises in the least developed countries such as Nepal.
Full text of PM Dahal's address:
At the outset, I congratulate the Presidency of COP28 for hosting this Conference and thank the government of the UAE for extending warm hospitality to my delegation.
Mr President,
I bring the message of 30 million Nepalis to this Conference.
Our message is clear: mountains are tortured by rising temperatures. Save them first!
I am deeply concerned about the findings of the recent IPCC report, that states climate-induced disasters breaking records in the Himalayas.
We have already lost one-third of our glaciers, and scientists have warned that we are going to lose another one-third by the end of this century.
This is a wake-up call to all of us.
The Himalayas are the foundations of human civilizations, ecosystems, and biodiversity.
They are providing global services to the people and the planet and are the source of livelihood for billions of people downstream.
Mr President, Nepal is bearing a direct, disproportionate, and damaging effect of climate change despite near-zero contribution to global emissions.
Due to an appalling injustice inflicted on us, our people are severely affected by climate-induced disasters such as landslides, floods, wildfires, glacier lake outbursts, drought, etc.
This is an utter injustice. This must stop now.
In his opening remarks yesterday, the UN Secretary-General said, and I quote, “Just days ago, I was on the melting ice of Antarctica.
Not long ago, I was among the melting glaciers of Nepal. These two spots are far in distance but united in crisis “unquote.
Similarly, in his recent visit to Nepal, he said further, and I quote, ‘stop the war against nature’, unquote. This was his reaction after having witnessed the disastrous impacts of climate change in the mountains.
Indeed, it is a war against nature as well as humanity. We are waging war with ourselves and future generations only to satisfy our short-sighted and self-serving interests.
So, I stand here for climate justice for my innocent people who are sheer victims of this catastrophe.
Mr President,
Recently, I unveiled the National Adaptation Plan and NDC implementation guidelines with a clear roadmap and strategies.
Nepal is fully committed to the Paris Agreement. We are committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, five years earlier than the global target.
We will fully utilise our hydropower potential to secure clean energy and maintain 45% forest-covered land.
However, our attempts to implement climate change adaptation and mitigation plans are facing serious financial and technological gaps.
Mr President,
LDCs are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and are in desperate need of financial and technological support.
As the chair of LDCs, I urge the developed economies and international community for more predictable adequate, and equitable resources and technologies for LDCs.
Countries like Nepal are left behind to live on their own fate. Therefore, I want to reiterate the following points:
- Developed countries’ pledges and actions do not correspond with each other. They must raise their ambitions and fulfil their commitments urgently.
- They must scale up climate finance to make up for the US $100 billion shortfall and double the adaptation finance by 2025, and ensure fair financial arrangements without conditions, constraints, and compliances.
- We demand grants as our justice to address this crisis.
- The loss and damage Fund must be predictable, simplified, and adequate for LDCs and mountainous countries.
- The GST report must give a clear roadmap to all, and we must act in solidarity with urgency.
- Finally, I strongly recommend the necessity of initiating a dialogue on mountain and climate change.
I wish grand for the success of this conference.
