Paris Climate Agreement: How can Nepal Benefit. Raju Pandit Chhetri - Hotel Yellow Pagoda, Kantipath 29 January 2016

Transcription

1 Paris Climate Agreement: How can Nepal Benefit Raju Pandit Chhetri - Hotel Yellow Pagoda, Kantipath 29 January 2016

2 Paris Climate Conference 21 st Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC, held in Paris from 31 Nov to 12 Dec 2015 Participation of 150 Head of States/Government, over 196 ministers and 40,000 participants. Held at a time when the scientific evidence is almost 100 % certain that the cause of climate change is due to human actions. Extreme weather events growing all around the world so the success of Paris conference was imperative Addressing climate change is urgent for Nepal as we already face impacts extreme events rising - erratic rainfall, melting glaciers, etc

3 Reaching an Agreement Extremely complicated political process Motivated by national economic interest Developed vs developing countries & developing vs developing countries Shifting responsibility and onus of cutting carbon emissions Late night negotiations round the clock Finally a compromised outcome called Paris Agreement

4 Paris Agreement.1 Global average temperature goal well below 2 C with aspiration for 1.5 C above pre industrial levels Mitigation : Bottom up approach with countries preparing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) every five years. Will this suffice to meet the global target? Many NDCs are conditional to support. Adaptation: This is a big priority for developing countries. Support for National Adaptation Plans. Loss and Damage: Big fight on this, lost the issue of compensation and liability.

5 Paris Agreement.2 Climate Finance: Crucial issue for developing countries but no numbers in the agreement US$100 billion per year from 2020 to 2025 to developing countries. Transparency and Reporting needs to be done by all countries support and actions, Agreement open for signature 22 April April 2017, New York.

6 Future Course Every country has responsibility to address the problem of climate change onus moved from developed to all countries Developed and emerging countries focus on mitigation whereas others on adaptation Financial responsibility also shared with capable developing countries new responsibility Signals the change in how we produce and meet energy demand, this will be a huge shift Agreement is of legal nature but morally binding UN Secretary General has invited world leaders in New York on 22 April for the signing ceremony of the Paris Agreement. Nepal should participate and sign

7 Does Paris Agreement really provide opportunity for Nepal?

8 Opportunity for Nepal Paris Agreement comes into effect from 2020 but we should continue to engage, strategize and benefit Paris Agreement gives special consideration for countries like Nepal in terms of access to finance and adaptation. Gives space for climate resilient and low carbon development. Moving away from business as usual to more green, environment friendly and sustainable development.

9 Low Carbon Development Green development in sectors like energy, transportation, housing, etc Cities and Urban areas could be planned differently, new rules of industry. Increasing forest cover and protected areas Mitigation is high interest of developed countries, need to cash on this.

10 Adaptation and Resilience Resilient infrastructure development, managing weather related disasters, Climate resilient agriculture practices, addressing health issues, etc. All countries should prepare National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) Loss and Damage - Risk insurance facility, addressing GLOFs and extreme foods and droughts. Linkage between adaptation, resilience and development

11 Research and Technology Capacity building is prioritized in the Paris Agreement, especially for LDCs Opportunity to share or generation new scientific knowledge on climate change in the country Promote indigenous technologies Opportunity to promote low carbon and adaptation technology in the country Technology Executive Committee and Climate Technology Centre and Network.

12 Climate Finance Paris Agreement gives special consideration to Least Developed Countries like Nepal for easy and direct access to finance. Several international funds have been set up to provide finance to developing countries like the Least Developed Countries Fund, Adaptation Fund and Green Climate Fund. Nepal should take opportunity to tap resources from these sources for its climate resilient and low carbon development.

13 Nepal s Current Status National Structure Climate Change Council, Climate Change Management Division (MoPE), various committees Policy and Strategies National Climate Change Policy, Low Carbon Economic Development Strategy (draft), REDD Strategy Programs National Adaptation Programme of Actions (NAPA), Local Adaptation Plan of Actions (LAPA), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), EFLG, Agriculture Plans. Projects Water induced disasters, Agriculture, Forest, Glacier lakes outburst, Hydro Met, Renewable energy National Budget Budget Code, (FY 2072/ % budget climate relevant % direct, 13.79% indirect)

14 Future Course for Nepal Continue to get engaged in the international process and UN committees on climate change. As a mountainous country, good to champion on this issue. Need more research and homework. Work towards building our internal capacity at different levels and for all stakeholders Strengthening national institutions for accessing financial resources and effective implementation. Harmonization and institutional coordination Paris Agreement can be a stepping stone for Nepal s sustainable development.

15 Thank You