Sagarmatha Sambaad Must Move Beyond Rhetoric to Address Climate Realities

 As Nepal prepares to host the long-delayed Sagarmatha Sambaad from May 16 to 18, urgent domestic challenges linked to climate change serve as a sobering backdrop to what must be more than a ceremonial dialogue. This global climate event, five years in the making, arrives at a time when the country is grappling with mounting environmental crises that demand immediate attention, reflection, and action.

Recent developments from Nepal’s Himalayan and hilly regions underscore the severity of these issues. In the Khumbu region, the Sherpa community has expressed concern over declining yields of traditional crops such as buckwheat, with implications for nutrition and food security, particularly for children and pregnant women. These changes are intimately tied to rising temperatures, decreased snowfall, and erratic rainfall. Meanwhile, in the upper hill districts of Gandaki Province, snow leopards have begun preying on Himalayan goats reared by local farmers. This unusual predator behavior stems from the retreat of snow in higher elevations, which has reduced the vegetation that supports blue sheep—the snow leopard’s natural prey. As these wild sheep descend to lower altitudes in search of food, the predators follow, disrupting local livestock farming.

These incidents are not isolated. Reports of drying water sources have become widespread across Nepal, from the highlands to the Terai plains. Weather extremes, including the devastating floods in Melamchi, the Thame glacial lake outburst, and last year’s unprecedented rains and landslides in Roshi and Koshi, have claimed lives and caused widespread destruction. Even the Kathmandu Valley witnessed rainfall levels not seen in decades, resulting in significant damage along major routes such as the BP Highway.

Such stories reflect the lived reality of Nepal’s climate crisis. They demand more than expressions of sympathy; they call for decisive policy, preparedness, and leadership. With the monsoon season approaching, forecasts by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology warn of more heavy rainfall, making it imperative for all tiers of government to act swiftly on disaster preparedness.

Sagarmatha Sambaad, with its focus on climate change and Himalayan fragility, must serve as a platform not only for international discussion but for forging real, implementable strategies. The Himalayas are often referred to as the water towers of Asia, sustaining life for billions. What happens in these mountains is not just a concern for Nepal, but for entire ecosystems and populations downstream, all the way to the sea. The degradation of Himalayan glaciers and snowfields is not merely a local issue—it is a regional and global emergency.

Nepal’s leaders have highlighted this crisis in international forums, including at the United Nations and various COP conferences. During his visit, UN Secretary-General António Guterres witnessed firsthand the severity of glacial retreat and later amplified Nepal’s call for climate justice. Still, despite promises made in global summits, meaningful financial assistance, particularly under the “loss and damage” framework, has proven difficult to access. The Environment Minister himself recently admitted that international funds have been hard to secure, underlining the need for strengthened collaboration and self-reliance.

The global climate agenda is now facing headwinds due to the rise of nationalism, geopolitical rivalries, and waning political will. As industrialized nations prioritize competition and power over cooperation, Nepal’s reliance on foreign aid appears increasingly unsustainable. This situation makes it imperative for the country to mobilize its internal resources, knowledge systems, and institutional capacities to address the crisis at hand.

To that end, Nepal must reinvest in domestic solutions by drawing upon indigenous knowledge, promoting environmental education, curbing corruption in development projects, and fostering collaboration between government, civil society, business, academia, and youth. A sense of shared ownership and local empowerment will be critical to building resilience. One such example is the National Bamboo Conference held earlier this year in Khotang, which declared the district the bamboo capital of Nepal and issued a 35-point “Khotang Declaration” promoting sustainable resource use and a reduction in plastics. With plastic pollution rising even in the Sagarmatha region, such community-driven initiatives offer a model for replication.

The government must also consider enforcing the “polluters pay” principle more strictly. While environmental fines and taxes exist, there is room to explore the introduction of a climate tax that supports fair and sustainable business practices. The objective should be to shift economic incentives toward climate-friendly production while holding those who contribute most to environmental harm accountable.

Nepal has long spoken out on the global stage about climate change. Yet rhetoric alone will not shield vulnerable communities from floods, landslides, and food insecurity. The Sagarmatha Sambaad must be used not just to repeat past commitments, but to push for concrete outcomes. It must apply moral pressure on major polluters and unite stakeholders at home around a common agenda.

Ultimately, this dialogue should not be remembered for its speeches, but for the bold steps it inspires. Nepal must act with urgency, clarity, and resolve—because the cost of inaction will be paid in lives, livelihoods, and lost futures. The time for talking is over. The time to act is now.