By Modnath Dhakal
Kathmandu, Dec. 23: Nepal has given high importance to climate change and mitigation of its impacts and minimisation of greenhouse gases in its recently launched Foreign Policy, 2020.
It has included a separate article on the issue and 17-point strategy and action plan while reduction of climate change impacts is included as one of the key objectives of the policy which is said to be the first integrated document on the foreign affairs matters.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali had launched the policy with ecological balance, human safety and earth’s protection earlier this month.
The country aims at playing an effective role reducing the greenhouse gas emission and adaptation to combat with the challenges of climate change and its negative impacts.
It aims at playing an active role at the United Nations and other international platforms and playing leading role in climate change issues by uniting the mountain and other countries.
Protection, promotion and utilisation of natural resources to mitigate the impacts of environmental degradation and climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and attracting needed financial as well as technical support for it are the strategies included in the policy.
“Emphasis would be given to the implementation of polluters pay principle, common but differentiated responsibilities and carbon trading provisions,” read the document.
Nepal also aims to establish the contribution of Sagarmatha and Himalayan region in storing of sustainable water resources, minimising negative impact of climate change, maintaining ecological balance and cultivating human civilisation.
The policy has action plans like promoting Nepali herbs and wild animals and preservation of bio-diversity, promoting high mountains as the resource for bio-diversity, and promotion of renewable energy and green development. The country aims at presenting itself as a carbon-neutral country at international forums.

Challenge to manage resources
The Foreign Policy, 2020 has clearly spelled out the challenges to the implementation of the strategy against the climate change impacts and ecological disturbances.
Managing sufficient financial resources and technology to combat the negative impact of the climate change and establish the agenda of mountain countries in the international policy making process is the greatest challenge for the country like Nepal which is struggling hard to collect resources for basic development work.
It also needs foreign aid during the pandemics and large natural disasters.
Enhancing the competitive capacity after Nepal’s graduation from the least developed country (LDC) and maintaining trade facilities are also mentioned as the key challenges.
However, the clarity on national development, environment for greater regional cooperation on the issue, and business and investment-friendly climate in the country are mentioned as the positive milestones towards the climate change management.
Minister for Forests and Environment will be included in the Steering Committee for direction, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of the policy and secretary of the ministry in the Coordination committee to support and cooperate in the implementation of it.