Kathmandu_
Nepal’s Mountain agenda has received significant attention at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), with discussions on the growing impacts of climate change in mountain regions, climate-induced disasters, loss and damage, and the need for international support gaining priority at the conference.
The issue of Nepal’s recent climate-related disaster and the damage caused by it has been included in the very first point of the 26-point declaration adopted by the ministerial meeting of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group.
The inclusion of Nepal’s situation at the beginning of the declaration has been viewed as an important development, particularly as it highlights the concerns of countries that are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change despite making a relatively small contribution to global emissions.
Nepal’s situation, including climate-induced damage and loss, was also highlighted in the statement delivered by the LDC Group during the opening session of COP31. The group’s decision to give priority to Nepal’s circumstances has strengthened the basis for cooperation and joint advocacy among climate-vulnerable countries.
Nepal has long been raising the issue of the growing impacts of climate change on the Himalayan and mountain regions at international forums. Although Nepal’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions is very small, the country faces serious risks from melting glaciers, glacial lake outburst floods, landslides, intense rainfall, floods and other climate-related hazards.
The devastating floods in the Rasuwa–Bhotekoshi area have further highlighted Nepal’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters. The disaster caused extensive damage to lives, infrastructure, roads, bridges, agriculture and local economic activities, prompting Nepal to raise the issue of climate justice and the need for international support.
Nepal has argued that countries that have contributed least to climate change are increasingly bearing its severe consequences. It has therefore been calling for greater access to climate finance, adaptation support and international resources to address climate-related loss and damage.
Climate finance remains one of Nepal’s key priorities. The country needs substantial resources to strengthen climate adaptation, reduce disaster risks, rebuild damaged infrastructure and protect vulnerable communities. Nepal has consequently been advocating for easier and more equitable access to international climate finance for developing and climate-vulnerable countries.
The LDC Group’s decision to highlight Nepal’s recent disaster in its ministerial declaration provides an opportunity to advance these concerns through collective advocacy. Cooperation among countries facing similar climate risks could strengthen their position in international climate negotiations.
Nepal’s mountain agenda gaining space on the first day of COP31, together with support from the LDC Group, is therefore being viewed as an important development for Nepal’s climate diplomacy. It provides an opportunity to promote the concerns of mountain and Himalayan countries as part of the broader global climate agenda.
Nepal has been emphasizing that climate change in the Himalayas should not be treated solely as an environmental issue. The impacts extend to economic development, infrastructure, agriculture, food security, livelihoods and national economies. Damage to mountain ecosystems and infrastructure can have consequences far beyond the affected areas, making international cooperation essential.
The recognition of Nepal’s concerns at COP31 also strengthens the country’s efforts to bring the mountain agenda into discussions on climate justice, adaptation, loss and damage and climate finance.
However, the inclusion of Nepal’s concerns in the declaration and the LDC Group’s opening statement is only an initial step. The extent to which these issues are reflected in the final decisions of COP31 will depend on the negotiations in the coming days and Nepal’s continued diplomatic efforts.
An agreement to continue dialogue over the next two years provides Nepal with an opportunity to further establish its mountain agenda in international climate negotiations. During this period, Nepal can strengthen cooperation with LDCs, Himalayan and other climate-vulnerable countries and build a stronger common position on mountain-related climate risks.
For Nepal, the priority now will be to translate the political recognition of its climate concerns into concrete international commitments, financial support and practical programmes. Continued advocacy on climate justice, climate finance, loss and damage, adaptation and mountain resilience will be crucial.
The priority given to Nepal’s mountain agenda at COP31 should therefore be viewed not only as an immediate diplomatic achievement but also as a foundation for the next phase of international climate negotiations. How effectively Nepal can sustain the issue during the upcoming discussions and turn the emerging support into concrete outcomes will determine the longer-term significance of the development.