Kathmandu [Nepal], November 8 – Nepal is preparing to push for climate justice, increased climate financing and stronger global commitments at the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) as the country faces growing climate-related disasters despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions.
The conference is scheduled to begin on November 9 in Antalya, Türkiye. Nepal plans to highlight the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable mountain communities and demand greater international support for adaptation, loss, damage and resilience-building.
Dr Prakash Singh Thapa, chief of the Climate Change and Resilience Section under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment said Nepal would call for a shift from climate negotiations towards concrete implementation.
He said Nepal needed adequate, predictable, accessible and grant-based climate finance to address climate impacts and strengthen resilience.
Recent disasters have underscored the country’s vulnerability. The August 26 Bhotekoshi disaster in Rasuwa and surrounding areas killed 1,455 people while more than 5,000 remain missing according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.
The disaster caused an estimated US$2.7 billion in damage with reconstruction and recovery costs projected at US$4.7 billion equivalent to around 10 percent of Nepal’s GDP.
The October 11 Budhi Gandaki floods also destroyed homes, bridges and hydropower infrastructure displacing thousands.
Nepal will also advocate limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius stronger emissions cuts by developed countries technology transfer and greater support for mountain ecosystems.
