Some 14 donors signed a ´Compact on Climate Change´ committing themselves to a set of principles on how they will help Nepal implement a series of actions designed to identify and assess climate risks, particularly to the most vulnerable people and sectors; elaborate, test and implement adaptive responses; and establish the basis for a climate resilient economy, the Ministry of Environment said.
"The donors have committed themselves officially by signing the compact to help support the momentum of climate change issues in Nepal and take it forward," Dr Uday Raj Sharma, secretary at the Ministry of Environment, told myrepublica.com. Sharma added, "The much-needed resources are now guaranteed and this shows their concern for issues and challenges confronting Nepal´s environment sector, mainly the affect of climate change on the Himalayas, on agriculture, health, forestry, bio-diversity and other areas."
Clare Shakya, Regional Climate and Water Advisor of the UK Government´s Department for International Development (DfID), said that climate change has been a key focus area as South Asian countries now see a need to develop the “potential area of collaboration.”
Sharing her views with myrepublica.com, Shakya said, “The impact of climate change now crosses boundaries and its impact on the livelihoods and economy of the country will be higher in future.”
She further informed that the funds would go for assessment, research and study of climate change issues, especially water management in the Ganges. Much work will be initiated in Ganges River hydrology (science of water flow in the system).
During the conference, the government of India also spoke of the need to immediately establish a Ganges River Basin Authority to deal with water management issues and put in place a vibrant information dissemination mechanism.
Earlier, DfID announced £3.2 million in total funding for the South Asia Water Initiative (SAWI) for water resource management in Nepal. DfID works together with the World Bank and AusAID to help SAWI develop significant and measurable improvements in international water resource management.
The initiative supports high-level dialogue between the seven participating countries, research and analysis as well as building technical skills to better manage the Himalayan rivers.
DfID´s Director for South Asia Jim Drummond said, “The effective management of water resources across the region is vital if we are to combat the potentially-catastrophic impacts of climate change such as floods and droughts”. “We see strong commitments from the government´s side. PM Nepal may visit the Copenhagen conference in December.” he told myrepublica.com.
At the conference a report on ´Climate change induced uncertainties and Nepal´s development predicaments´, carried out by the Nepal Climate Vulnerablity Study Team, was formally released.
The present conference hosted by Nepal is aimed at providing a forum to share knowledge and experience about common risks that climate change brings and the immense development opportunities that could be fostered, and at developing a common message to the global community regarding climate change challenges faced by the region.
akanshya@myrepublica.com
Related story
SHIFT for Our Planet: Youths urge authorities to make climate j...
