MPs for strongly pushing for climate justice and climate finance at COP-31

Kathmandu: Members of Parliament in the National Assembly (NA) have underscored on making strong initiatives for climate justice and climate finance in the COP-31.

In today’s meeting of the upper house of the Federal Parliament’s Development, Economic Affairs, and Good Governance Committee, MPs emphasized that Nepal should focus on effective preparations for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP-31) and prioritize addressing climate-related disaster risk reduction and climate justice.

Ghanashyam Rijal mentioned that 21 glacial lakes in Nepal are said to be at risk and urged the government to increase investment for risk management. He emphasized that the state should invest adequately in early warning systems and preparedness before disasters, rather than focusing on relief and reconstruction after they happen.

Kamala Pantha mentioned that since glaciers are melting faster, the river flow and flood risk might increase, so it is important to pay attention to that in time. She also suggested that the funds received from the Loss and Damage Fund shouldn’t be limited to just post-disaster reconstruction but should be connected to managing vulnerable settlements, safe housing, jobs, and income-generation programmes.

Tul Prasad Bishwakarma suggested that necessary preparations should be made to raise Nepal’s voice on climate justice on international forums like COP. Samjhana Devkota emphasized that action should be taken for managing the risks of glaciers that are hazardous, and that proper risk assessment should be done when building development structures.

Stating that hydropower, tourism, and medicinal herb development are key foundations, she said risk assessment should be made mandatory when constructing settlements and development structures along riverbanks. Mahantha Thakur, Rekha Kumari Jha, and Savitri Malla also emphasized that policies related to reducing climate-related risks should be implemented effectively.

Similarly, Dr Maheshwar Dhakal, spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment, informed that the ministry has been moving forward with preparations for COP-31 along with a work plan.

According to him, work is ongoing on capacity development, side events, preparation of the country’s position paper, and discussions with stakeholders.

He shared that an advisory committee under the chairmanship of the minister and a coordination and technical committee led by the heads of major divisions have been formed and preparations are underway, and the work of drafting Nepal’s national position paper, which includes the issues, demands, and priorities Nepal will raise at COP-31, has also been progressing.

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