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)
16 Comments
Dear Rohan, thank you for appreciating the role of Nepal in dealing with climate change despite its vulnerability :)
Posted 12-01-2016 12:47
Dear Christy sister, thank you so much for your valuable comment :)
Yeah sister, the vulnerability issue of Nepal needs to be addressed globally and empower the vulnerable communities.
The mark in my face symbolizes zero net emissions by 2050. It was one of the youth led mobilization at COP21.
Your support has always been an inspiration for me. Thank you sister :)
Posted 12-01-2016 12:40
Dear Kamaldeen, thank you so much :)
Posted 12-01-2016 12:34
Dear Tanverjit, thank you for going through the article :)
Posted 12-01-2016 12:30
Dear Peter, thank you for going through :)
Posted 12-01-2016 12:30
Dear Prakriti sister, together we would work on it. Thank you for your kind words :)
Posted 12-01-2016 12:25
Dear Aabha sister, we should try from our level to tackle the climate change. Thank you for your kind comment :)
Posted 12-01-2016 12:18
Dear Arushi sister, your words have always been encouraging for me and you are a source of inspiration for me.
For sure, Nepal is making efforts for mitigation and adaptation to climate change but still sensitization among people regarding climate change is not satisfactory.
Thank you for your kind comments :)
Posted 12-01-2016 12:04
The role of Nepal is indeed commendable considering the scare resources. And your efforts are appreciable to the core Dear Bindu.
Congrats for your appreciation @COP21. All the best for your ensuing studies.
Posted 11-01-2016 18:28
Thank you for the informative article Bindu :-) It really well explains current situation of Nepal in terms of Vulnarability to Climate change. I think Nepal's problem should be dealt as all globe's issue as it's accountable for bilions of life and has key elements to combat climate change. (Anyway you look lovely with an interesting mark on your face, haha)
Posted 11-01-2016 13:51
Good Work Indeed
Posted 11-01-2016 09:00
Thanks for informing such great information about Climatic changes in Nepal And COP21.
Posted 08-01-2016 04:39
great work Bindu thank you for the summary of COP21
Posted 08-01-2016 04:00
We should take action on it ,thanks sis for this information . You are really amazing !
Posted 08-01-2016 00:28
Nepal is one of the most vulnerable country in the world. all we nepali should be aware about climate change and take action on it ...... and thank you for this information about COP 21....
Posted 07-01-2016 23:42
Bindudi-Hats off to you for managing your academics with your environmental passion and assignments so well.
WOW! Inspite of very minimal contribution by Nepal towards GHG emission(less than 0.1% of global) , Nepal is working so actively to mitigate climate change . The Nepalese delegation even organised a cycling rally at the backdrop of COP21.
Congrats for recognition and appreciation for being one of the top five best adaptation practice (out of 170 submissions) under the Nairobi Work Programme (NWP) of the UNFCCC. Other nations should learn from Nepal. Thanks for sharing the detailed involvement of Nepal at COP21.
Posted 07-01-2016 22:13