Kathmandu, September 6
Nepal has called for stronger regional cooperation to address the impacts of climate change, including compensation for losses and damages suffered by countries that contribute little to global emissions.
The issue was raised at the South Asia Regional Parliamentary Forum being held in Bhutan, where parliamentarians from South Asian countries are discussing climate change, energy and environmental issues.
Representing Nepal at the forum are House of Representatives member and Development Committee Chair Ashish Gajurel, and House of Representatives member and Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Chair Ashok Kumar Chaudhary.
During the discussions, Nepal highlighted the need for greater cooperation among South Asian countries to respond to the growing impacts of climate change.
The forum has brought together lawmakers from Nepal, Bhutan, India, Bangladesh, the Maldives and Sri Lanka to discuss the importance of climate action, energy security and sustainable development.
According to Gajurel, Nepal has emphasised the need to develop climate-resilient infrastructure, particularly in Himalayan countries that are increasingly exposed to climate-related disasters.
He also said Nepal’s potential in renewable energy and hydropower should be linked to broader regional energy cooperation.
“Nepal needs to learn from good practices and technologies adopted by other countries and improve its policy and institutional capacity accordingly,” Gajurel said.
Nepal seeks compensation for Rasuwa flood losses
Nepal also raised the issue of loss and damage in the context of the devastating flood in Rasuwa, arguing that the international community’s response should go beyond sympathy and include compensation for the damage suffered.
Gajurel said Nepal had formally written to the Loss and Damage Fund Board on August 31, seeking compensation for the losses and damages caused by the disaster.
The Nepal delegation also called for South Asian countries to work together to urge developed nations to provide compensation to countries affected by climate-related disasters.
The discussion comes after a devastating flood in the Rasuwa region caused widespread destruction along the Bhotekoshi corridor. The disaster affected settlements and infrastructure in Rasuwa and downstream areas, with deaths, disappearances and extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
Nepal has argued that countries with relatively low contributions to global greenhouse gas emissions are nevertheless facing severe consequences from climate change.
At the forum, participants pointed to Bhutan’s negative carbon emissions, while Nepal and Sri Lanka were described as making negligible contributions to global emissions.
Despite this, lawmakers from the participating countries expressed concern that countries with low emissions are among those bearing the consequences of climate change.
According to Gajurel, parliamentarians participating in the forum expressed sympathy over the disaster in Nepal and discussed the need for greater regional cooperation in responding to climate-related disasters.
Nepal has increasingly been calling for climate justice, arguing that vulnerable countries need greater access to finance, technology and other forms of support to adapt to climate change and recover from climate-induced losses.
The discussions in Bhutan have also focused on how South Asian countries can strengthen regional cooperation in climate adaptation, renewable energy and sustainable development.
