Minister Mahato Calls for Collective Climate Finance

Minister for Forests and Environment Dr Birendra Prasad Mahato has insisted on collective efforts among all bodies concerned and the government to claim compensation for climate change impact.

In his address to a climate change conference titled 'The Climate Change Challenges: Any Roadmap for Gender Responsive Action?' here Friday, the Minister said, "The government is preparing in a way that it could secure a noticeable achievement in the upcoming the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP-28)." The event organised by the Sath Sathai was supported by the government and the UN Women Nepal.

As the Minister informed, the government was preparing meticulously to make its presence vibrant in the COP-28. "For the first time, we have our own pavilion this time in the Conference and will be spending US $100,000 for it. The Pavilion will be utilized for highlighting the specific climate change issues of Nepal, its endeavours towards the mitigation of its risk, adaptation measures and the status of mountains in Nepal."

Stating that mostly women and children were at the receiving end of the impacts of global warming due to their gender roles, the Minister was for prioritising them in the climate change management and adaptation efforts.

UN Women Nepal's Country Representative Patricia Fernandez applauded Nepal's efforts for promoting inclusion and the mitigation of climate change. According to her, the UN Women is interested in collaborating with Nepal to address issues concerning the women and other communities which are vulnerable to climate change.

Sath Sathai President Prajita Karki said saving the environment and the Earth for future generations is the major responsibility of the present generation. She said climate change has its adverse effect on agriculture, posing a threat of food insecurity.

She shared in the programme that world leaders would be gathering in the United Arab Emirates in the next few months to attend the COP-28. In this context, the organisation is coordinating with the federal to local levels to design better policies for mitigation of climate change.

According to the Climate Change Management Division, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Pro Dr Buddhi Sagar Poudel, Nepal aims to bring down carbon emission to nil by 2045.

Climate change expert Sama Shrestha said women and children are the most affected groups of climate change and it has impacted their sexual and reproductive health as well.

Another climate change expert Manjit Dhakal said global warming has been a reason for increased incidents of disasters. "Though reduction in carbon emission is the prompt need of the hour, it has not been possible due to stances of various nations."