Nepal Prepares for COP-29: Focus on Climate-Induced Disasters and Climate Finance

The Ministry of Forest and Environment (MoFE) has begun preparations for the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-29), which is scheduled to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11-22, 2024. In a meeting held on Monday, the Ministry engaged with various intergovernmental ministries, experts, journalists, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to discuss the key agendas that Nepal will bring to the global climate forum.

COP-29 will see representatives from 198 countries that have ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) come together to discuss pressing climate issues and to formulate strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation. As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, Nepal is committed to updating its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by February 2025, in accordance with the decisions made at COP-28.

Key Agendas and Preparations

Minister for Forest and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri stated that the agendas for COP-29 will be set through consensus among all stakeholders. He emphasized that Nepal will highlight the challenges posed by climate change-induced natural disasters, such as floods and landslides, which have increasingly affected the country. “We will pressurize the signatory parties to implement the Paris Agreement at the international forum of COP-29,” said Minister Thakuri, stressing the need for cooperation from development partners to achieve climate change adaptation and mitigation goals.

State Minister for Health and Population, Rupa BK, also underscored the importance of coordinated climate actions to address the broad-ranging impacts of climate change. She highlighted the need for a unified approach to tackling climate-related health and environmental challenges.

Climate Loss and Damage Fund

Dr. Govinda Sharma, Secretary at the MoFE, pointed out the necessity for Nepal to enhance its access to the Climate Loss and Damage Fund. This fund is specifically designed to support vulnerable countries like Nepal in coping with the severe effects of climate change. Dr. Sharma stressed the importance of coordination among intergovernmental agencies, the three tiers of government, and various stakeholders to effectively mitigate the negative impacts of climate change.

In addition to leveraging the Climate Loss and Damage Fund, Dr. Sharma also called for strategic plans to capitalize on carbon trading benefits. This approach could provide financial incentives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to global climate goals.

Call for Effective Implementation of Policies

During the discussions, secretaries from various ministries emphasized the need to review past climate conferences to better inform the agenda-setting for COP-29. They also called for the effective implementation of existing climate change policies and programs, which are crucial for achieving the country’s climate goals.

Dr. Buddhi Sagar Poudel, who leads the Climate Change Management Division under the MoFE, stated that Nepal will prioritize climate finance as one of its key agendas at COP-29. He noted that raising Nepal’s profile in discussions around climate finance will be essential for securing the resources needed to address the country’s climate challenges.

As preparations for COP-29 continue, Nepal is poised to advocate strongly for the implementation of global climate agreements, with a particular focus on securing financial and technical support to combat the growing threat of climate change. The country aims to ensure that its concerns and needs are addressed at the international level, particularly in relation to the severe climate-induced disasters that it faces.