Himal Press 
Photo: RSS
KATHMANDU: Members of the National Assembly have called on the government to make strong efforts to advance climate justice and climate finance at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31).
Speaking at a meeting of the National Assembly’s Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee on Wednesday, they urged the government to prioritize climate justice and measures to reduce climate-related disaster risks.
During the meeting, lawmaker Ghanshyam Rijal said the state should invest adequately in early warning systems and disaster preparedness rather than focusing primarily on relief and reconstruction after disasters occur.
Lawmaker Kamala Pantha said accelerated glacial melting could increase river flows and the risk of flooding, urging authorities to address the issue promptly.
She said funds received through the Loss and Damage Fund should not be limited to post-disaster reconstruction but should also be used to relocate vulnerable settlements, provide safe housing, and support employment and income-generation programmes.
“We have already written a lot, but writing alone is no longer enough. We must implement what we have written,” she said. “The responsibility for implementation lies with the government.”
Another lawmaker Tul Prasad Bishwakarma called for thorough preparations to amplify Nepal’s voice on climate justice at international forums such as COP.
Lawmaker Samjhana Devkota stressed the need to take initiatives to manage risks posed by vulnerable glacial lakes. She also called for proper disaster risk assessments before infrastructure projects are built.
Stating that hydropower, tourism and medicinal herbs are key pillars of Nepal’s development, she said risk assessments should be mandatory when developing settlements and infrastructure along riverbanks.
Dr Maheshwar Dhakal, spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment, said the ministry had begun preparations for COP31 based on an action plan. “Work is underway on capacity-building, side events, preparation of Nepal’s position paper and consultations with stakeholders,” he added.
He said preparations were being carried out through an advisory committee chaired by the minister and a coordination and technical committee led by the heads of relevant divisions.
The ministry has also begun drafting Nepal’s national position paper, which will outline the issues, demands and priorities the country intends to raise at COP31, Dhakal added.
