President Ramchandra Paudel has said all sides must fulfill the commitments made in the Paris Agreement relating to climate change and the measures to contain global temperature rise.
Inaugurating the conference of parliamentarians from Hindu Kush region in Kathmandu today, President Paudel urged all countries- developed and developing, poor and industrial- to adhere to the Paris Agreement to contain temperature rise to 1.5 Degree Celsius since pre-industrial age.
He expressed concern over the rise of temperature above average range in the Hindu Kush Himalaya in recent years, which is further exacerbated by the fast snow melt, causing floods and erosion downstream.
"Climate change, loss of biodiversity and the air pollution are not limited to scientific reports, but became harsh realities of our lives," President Paudel lamented, adding that the conference is a historic opportunity to shape a roadmap for a common and sustainable future.
The Head of the State further reminded, "It is also the moment to make firm commitment towards the future of geography, mountain, forest, rivers and environment of the Hindu Kush Himalaya." More than 2 billion people are sustained by the water emanated from mountains of this region, but growing adversity in the downstream is a severe challenge, he made aware.
Paudel further shared that this region is rich in biodiversity. The protection of biodiversity helps enrich ecosystem, otherwise causes serious impacts on food, culture and economy, he argued. The President also expressed gratitude to the member countries of Hindu Kush region for their continued efforts to face climate change, control air pollution and protect biodiversity.
Nepal has also made significant initiatives like early warning relating to disaster caused by climate change, collaboration on hydropower development and use, promotion of solar power, and participatory community forest conservation, he explained in his address. Also featured in his statement were expansion of reserve area, monitoring of wildlife, improvement in public transport, promotion of electric vehicles and curb on industrial emission.
However, adequate efforts for climate adaptation and resilience were yet to be in place with effective policies.
The President expected that such an event would institutionalize parliamentary dialogue and foster sustainable cooperation to tackle common challenges.
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