Dear Green Friends,

First of all I would like to apologize for late posting of this article. As I had to leave classes for attending COP21, I am currently a bit busy with my academic assignments. (I am sure you all will understand :) I have divided this report in several sub topics for easiness of understanding climate status and position of Nepal at COP21.

Nepal as a party to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Nepal ratified the UNFCCC in 1994 and entered into force the same year. Nepal is one of the LDCs, as defined by the United Nations in terms of its low national income, less developed human capacity and a high degree of economic vulnerability (UNOHRLLS 2011). Nepal signed, ratified and entry into force of Kyoto Protocol in 2005. Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MoSTE) is the focal point to UNFCCC.

Emission sources and status of Nepal

Nepal's contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions is negligible only at 32 Mt C0₂e in 2010, which is less than 0.1% of global emissions. With current policies, the emissions growth is projected to accelerate to 2.4% per year, on average, in the period 2010- 2030, reaching 52 MT CO₂e in 2030 (World Resources Institute). The majority of emissions in Nepal are non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector. Methane and nitrous oxide contributed 70% to total greenhouse gas emissions in 2010, arising from rice cultivation, enteric fermentation and agricultural soils (USEPA 2012). Nepal is ranked as 4th most vulnerable countries to effect of climate change (Climate Change Vulnerability Index 2011)

Legislations in Nepal and Efforts to address Climate Change

National Climate Change Policy, 2011 is only flagship legislation for changing climate till now. In 2010, National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) approved. NAPA developed as a requirement under the UNFCCC to access funding for the most urgent and immediate adaptation needs from the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF). For effective implementation of NAPA, National Framework on Local Adaptation Plan for Action (LAPA) consisting of seven steps was formulated and piloted in 10 districts of Nepal in 2010. In October 2009 Nepal became a member of UN REDD program. REDD Cell is an executive body established in 2009 by Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) responsible for coordinating the REDD readiness process and other REDD projects in Nepal. Low carbon economic development strategies (LCEDS) have been finalized and forwarded to cabinet in April, 2015 and looking forward to approval. Several NGOs/ INGOs like WWF Nepal, ICIMOD etc and youth organizations like Nepalese Youth for Climate Action (NYCA) are working for adaptation and mitigation strategies both at grass root levels and policy making to empower the vulnerable communities and sensitize people on the issues of climate change.

Position of Nepal at COP21

Nepalese government delegation at COP21 was led by Environment Minister Mr. Vishwendra Paswan and Secretary Dr. Krishna Chandra Poudel. Seven members of Parliament along with some other officials from Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MOSTE) also joined COP21 Nepalese Delegation. Melting glaciers, loss and damage issue, transition towards clean renewable energy, effectiveness and accessibility of Green Climate Fund to LDCs and Adaptation of vulnerable communities to changing climate were the main concerns for Nepal. Nepal Climate Change Support Programme (NCCSP) was recognized as top five best adaptation practice (out of 170 submissions) under the Nairobi Work Programme (NWP) of the UNFCCC. Mr. Naresh Sharma, National Programme Manager presented the case on the side-event orgnised by the NWP on 30 November 2015. The NCCSP was also presented during the German Government organized side-event on 11 December. On 6th December, Dr. KC Poudel gave the statement of Nepal at 2nd South-South Cooperation on Climate Change Forum. He highly commended the efforts of China in establishing South- South Climate Cooperation fund and its importance to reduce vulnerabilities of mountainous developing countries. On 8th December, bicycle rally was organized by Nepalese delegation from La Courneve to Le Bourget, lead my Hon. Minister Mr. Paswan. Nepal didn't organize any side events of its own at COP21. Pictures can be accessed here (http://www.nepalembassyparis.gov.np/en/gallery/Cycle-Rally/48/)

Way forward for Nepal

Unfortunately, Nepal hasn't submitted it Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) yet, which is the foremost task to be accomplished before COP22 in Morocco. Recently Nepal's 2nd National Communication has been posted in UNFCCC website (http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/nplnc2.pdf). Being one of the vulnerable countries to effect of climate change Nepal should take this as an opportunity to access global fund and invest in clean renewable energy and restoration of degraded forest land which are the natural carbon sinks. Moreover there is a need to raise voice and implement concrete agenda to save the melting mountains of Hindu Kush Himalayas which is the source of water to more than a billion of world's population. It's a high time to shift towards low carbon economy and leap forward to sustainable development.

(PS: I have posted my pictures with Hon. Minister Mr. Paswan and members of Parliament during COP21. It was my privilege to have interaction with them regarding youth inclusion in decision making process)