Kathmandu: Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, today addressed the plenary session of the Sagarmatha Sambaad that kicked off here, emphasizing the urgent need for global action to safeguard mountain ecosystems and demand climate justice.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the session was themed ‘Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity.’ Minister Thakuri highlighted Nepal’s unique responsibility as home to eight of the world’s fourteen highest mountains, forming part of the ‘Third Pole’ region that sustains a significant portion of humanity. He stressed that these mountains, vital as climate regulators, are now on the frontline of a rapidly intensifying climate emergency.
The Minister elaborated on the visible transformations within the Himalayan landscape, citing retreating glaciers, shifting ecosystems, and disrupted traditional lifestyles as indicators of a global crisis. He connected the fate of these mountains to the broader impact on river basins, agricultural plains, and coastal ecosystems, underscoring that humanity’s future is intertwined with mountain ecosystems.
He cited data from the World Meteorological Organization and the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report, revealing that 2024 was the hottest year in the past 175 years, with mountain regions warming at twice the global average. The Minister discussed irreversible changes such as record glacier mass loss and rising sea levels, asserting that climate change threatens water security, food systems, and regional stability.
Highlighting Nepal’s vulnerability, Minister Thakuri noted the country’s rugged topography, fragile ecosystems, and reliance on rain-fed agriculture, which amplify susceptibility to climate-induced disasters. He pointed out that marginalized groups, including smallholder farmers, women, indigenous communities, and the elderly, bear the brunt of the crisis.
Despite contributing minimally to global carbon emissions, Nepal faces significant setbacks in socio-economic development due to climate change. The Minister stated Nepal’s commitment to climate leadership through a justice-centered approach, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2045, and implementing comprehensive national plans for resilience and adaptation.
He shared Nepal’s initiatives, such as the Community Forestry Program and Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPAs), which empower local governments and marginalized voices in climate action. The Minister also called for urgent global climate action, emphasizing principles such as Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) and the need for accessible climate finance.
The Minister criticized the heavy reliance on loans for climate finance, advocating for a credible $300 billion target to replace the unmet $100 billion commitment. He urged prioritizing mountain nations like Nepal and emphasized loss and damage funding as a form of climate justice.
Concluding his address, Minister Thakuri called for the establishment of a Global Alliance for Mountains and Cryosphere under the UNFCCC, integration of mountain ecosystem services into global frameworks, and robust initiatives for early warning systems in mountainous regions.
The statement concluded with a call for the Sagarmatha Sambaad to drive tangible actions, urging the global community to protect mountains as vital ecosystems and the “soul of the planet” for future generations.