KATHMANDU,  Oct 11: Civil Society organizations have expressed concern over the lack of priority for the climate agenda in the proposed 16th Development plan.

'The 16th Plan approach paper has failed to prioritize the climate agenda despite the escalating impacts of the climate crisis across different sectors in the country," Climate and Development Dialogue, a group of 11 civil society organizations said in a statement.

Saying that Nepal's hard achieved development gains and people’s lives and livelihoods are under serious threat due to climate change, the association said, “We are  deeply concerned about the lack of priority to the climate agenda in the plan.”

Earlier, the group has  contributed  to the climate change policy making processes, such as National Climate Change Policy 2019 and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 2020, among others.

As the National Planning Commission is currently in the process of drafting the 16th periodic development plan, the group has forwarded 10 suggestions to address the climate crisis.

The suggestions include measures to address climate justice, aligning the 16th plan with NDC and NAP priorities, adaptation, energy transition, loss and damage, institutional building, transparency and accountability framework, protection for vulnerable sectors, emphasis on grants, among others.

“Strong emphasis should be given to protecting vulnerable communities, indigenous peoples, women, and those living in areas highly susceptible to climate impacts, and addressing their specific needs by ensuring fair distribution of resources and benefits associated with climate action and building resilience, while advancing equity, inclusion, social justice, and sustainable development,” it said.

Emphasizing Nepal's distinctive position in the world's tallest mountain ranges,  they have asked to spell out measures in  addressing climate change impacts in the Himalayas and mountains. " Rapid  snow and glacier melt, droughts, displacement, land use changes, and livelihood loss, necessitate strong focus on mitigating more frequent water-related disasters and biodiversity loss,” the statement said.

The group has highlighted the need for aligning the 16th Plan with NDC and National Adaptation Plan (NAP) priorities.

“As Nepal's NDC and NAP prioritize carbon mitigation and adaptation actions, it is highly critical to align the 16th Plan climate actions with NDC and NAP priorities in order to meet the nation’s commitments,” they said.  They have also highlighted the need to allocate dedicated finance for the implementation of NDC and NAP priority actions.

On Adaption, the association has stressed harmonizing the Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA) and  Local Disaster Risk Management Plan (LDRMP).  “The 16th Plan should pay serious attention to harmonizing these similar initiatives for optimal utilization of local governments’ resources,” it said.

Saying that Energy Transition is pivotal to achieving Nepal's net zero emission targets by 2045, the statement said, “The 16th Plan needs to focus on scaling up renewable energy by harnessing the country’s immense capacity of hydropower and solar energy. The Plan also needs to develop a roadmap to phase down fossil fuel imports.”

On the issue of  Loss and Damage, they have suggested developing a program to minimize the risk of slow onset disasters.

“The Loss and Damage Strategy as provisioned in the Nationally Determined Contribution should also be prioritized in the Plan,” they said.

To strengthen institution building, they have suggested establishing a Climate Change Research Centre as provisioned in the National Climate Change Policy.

On the issues of Transparency and Accountability Framework, they highlighted the need for tracking progress on the carbon mitigation and adaptation front.

“The Plan must aim to develop a transparency and accountability framework on climate change,” they said.

In relation to the growing concerns over climate loans, the association asked the government to give preference to the grant. “Nepal needs to prioritize grants as a preferred international financing instrument over loans and others in climate actions. The Plan should prioritize accessing maximum possible international climate finance and developing climate programmes and projects targeting Green Climate Fund (GCF) and other climate funds,” they said.

Engaged in influencing the policy processes of climate change in Nepal, Climate and Development Dialogue includes ActionAid Nepal, CARE Nepal, DanChurchAid Nepal, DidiBahini, Helvetas Nepal,Himawanti, KIRDARC, Practical Action Nepal, Tewa, The Group of Helping Hands (SAHAS) and Prakriti Resources Centre.

 
• Civil_society
 
• 16th_Development_plan