Advocates stress urgency of dedicated ministry on climate change

KATHMANDU: Amidst discussions at a program organized jointly by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Crista, and Gyannovation in Kathmandu on Thursday, speakers underscored the imperative need for the establishment of a dedicated ministry focusing on climate change.

Additionally, they proposed the formation of a group of lawmakers to address climate change issues effectively.

Highlighting the urgency of an integrated approach across diverse sectors to tackle the impacts of climate change, speakers emphasized that a dedicated ministry and a group of lawmakers could facilitate coordinated efforts.

Lawmaker Pradip Paudel noted that several foreign countries have dedicated ministries and committees focusing on climate change, suggesting that Nepal could follow suit considering the toll climate change is taking on the country.

He mentioned that the debate among Nepalese lawmakers has already begun to create pressure for the establishment of such ministries and committees.

Furthermore, leaders from various political parties, including Thakur Gair of UML, Madhav Sapkota of CPN (Maoist Centre), and Shovita Gautam of Rastriya Swatantra Party, expressed support for considering a separate structure to amplify voices on climate change impacts in Nepal.

Dr. Dila Sangraula, Chair of CDD, emphasized the vulnerability of women to climate change impacts and urged for measures to ensure their resilience.

Highlighting the gendered impact of climate crises, Hashana Shrestha, an environment inspector at the Ministry of Forest and Environment, stressed the importance of considering women’s perspectives in development programs.

Several local representatives, including Ran Bahadur Tamang, Chairman of Khaniyabas rural municipality, and Lekhnath Pokhrel, advisor to rural municipality national federation, pledged to incorporate climate change into local school curricula and highlighted innovative practices at the local level, particularly under women’s leadership.

Expressing concern over the inadequate attention of media to climate change issues, Surendra Pande, Chairman of Disaster Risk Reduction Media Society, called for heightened media coverage.

The program, held on the occasion of International Women’s Day, also featured discussions on the role of media, global climate change status, and insurance schemes for compensation by various stakeholders.