A two-day Gharpajhong Climate Change Conference began Tuesday in Jomsom, Mustang, with participants calling for climate justice and compensation for losses caused by climate change.
Organized by Gharpajhong Rural Municipality, the conference brought together representatives from 431 local governments and 41 District Coordination Committees, with more than 2,000 participants. Agriculture, Forest and Environment Minister Geeta Chaudhary inaugurated the event.
Addressing the opening session, speakers said Nepal, despite contributing very little to global carbon emissions, is suffering severe human and economic losses from climate change. They urged developed countries to provide climate finance to Nepal as a right and compensation for loss and damage, rather than as aid or charity.
Minister Chaudhary stressed the need for early-warning systems and stronger coordination among the three levels of government to reduce risks from glacial lake outburst floods and other climate-related disasters. She also called for greater private-sector investment in green technology, renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture and environmentally friendly tourism.
Municipalities Association Chair Bhim Dhungana said 40 percent of climate finance should be allocated to local governments, which currently lack sufficient resources to address climate-related challenges.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah, in a message to the conference, said Nepal would continue to draw international attention to the impacts of climate change on the country’s mountains, hills and Tarai, including at the upcoming UN General Assembly.
The first day featured technical sessions and panel discussions on melting glaciers, glacial lake outburst risks, unseasonal avalanches, drought, landslides, water and irrigation shortages, and their impacts on agriculture, livestock and tourism.
The conference will conclude with the issuance of the “Gharpajhong Climate Change Declaration 2083,” presenting a common commitment of mountain local governments to climate action and justice.
