By 
10-11-2024
Fanni Lovas
South East Asia Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence.
On a recent visit to Nepal, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasised the severity of the climate crisis impacting the country, underscoring the need for international support. During his tour of Nepal’s Everest and Annapurna regions, Guterres witnessed the effects of climate change on the Himalayan landscape and its communities. Rising temperatures have accelerated glacial melting, triggering landslides, floods, and shifting monsoons, which devastated crops, infrastructure, and entire villages.
In his address to Nepal’s federal parliament, Guterres acknowledged the country’s reforestation efforts and the net-zero emissions target for 2045. He further highlighted that nations like Nepal, which contributes a small amount to global emissions, suffer disproportionately from the consequences of climate change and need global solidarity. To end this, Guterres urged wealthier nations to fulfil their climate finance commitments, particularly the $100 billion pledged annually to support vulnerable countries. He also emphasised the critical need for stronger international collaboration through the Climate Adaptation Fund.
Environmental experts in Nepal welcomed Gueterres’ advocacy, pointing to the need for concrete action to implement Nepal’s climate adaptation strategies. Experts argue that rural and indigenous communities remain particularly vulnerable, with inadequate resources and insufficient compensation for losses resulting from climate disasters. Climate expert Mudhukar Upadha stressed that effective progress requires coordination and well-executed responses to the challenges posed by global warming.
Gueterres’ visit has sparked hope for greater international awareness ahead of COP28, where Nepal’s climate crisis may serve as a call for strong commitments from global leaders. His message amplified Nepal’s position as both a witness to climate devastation and a model of environmental stewardship, urging that global action be swift and equitable to protect vulnerable nations.
Sources and further reading:
Arjun Poudel. (2024, November 11). UN chief puts a spotlight on Nepal’s climate crisis. The Kathmandu Post.https://kathmandupost.com/climate-environment/2023/11/05/un-chief-puts-a-spotlight-on-nepal-s-climate-crisis. Accessed 21 November 2024.
(2024, September 26). Nepal’s Prime Minister highlights climate crisis, global inequality at UNGA. United Nations.https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/09/1155021. Accessed 21 November 2024.
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