PM Deuba seeks international commitments to climate change

September 26, Kathmandu: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that Nepal is committed to limit global average temperature rise to 1.5 degree Celsius as per the ‘Paris Agreement’.

During a meeting with a delegation led by COP26 Regional Ambassador for Asia-Pacific and South Asia, Ken O’Flaherty on Saturday, PM Deuba opined that there should be international commitment to limit the global average temperature rise to 1.5 degree Celsius.

Deuba clarified that immense potential of hydropower and forest areas, among others, would help Nepal implement the Paris Agreement commitment to reduce carbon emission by 2050.

The PM mentioned that being a mountainous country, Nepal is at high risk of climate change and the damages caused due to climate change should be addressed internationally.

Joint-Secretary at the Foreign Ministry, Nirmal Raj Kafle, informed that PM Deuba emphasized discussion over various issues including priorities of COP26, climate finance and adaptation as well as additional support for Nepal to strengthen its ability to respond and adapt to climate change.

Regarding COVID-19 and the ‘Red List’, Prime Minister Deuba requested COP26’s regional ambassador to Asia-Pacific and South Asia Ken O’Flaherty to consider removing Nepal from the ‘Red List. Regional Ambassador O’Flaherty responded that a separate British agency had been analyzing various situations of Nepal from time to time and reviewing to remove Nepal from the Red List. Expressing concerns about the current affairs of Nepal and the preparation for COP26, O’Flaherty said that he was hopeful of Nepal’s active participation in the ‘Global Leader Summit’ to be organized by the British Prime Minister from November 1-2 this year.