KATHMANDU, March 18: A Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)-led government, set to be formed with a near two-thirds majority, comes with immense expectations—and an equally strong obligation to deliver. Among its many responsibilities, climate change must rank high on the agenda. In steering this critical domain, the Minister for Forests and Environment will play a pivotal role. The position demands not only subject-matter expertise but also strong communication and diplomatic acumen.
During the elections, young voters appeared particularly sensitive and vocal on issues such as the environment, pollution control, and climate change. Responding to the concerns and anxieties of this youth population requires capable and credible leadership. To effectively present Nepal’s perspectives globally and safeguard national interests, the upcoming Minister for Forests and Environment must assume a more assertive and proactive role than has traditionally been expected.
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today, yet its impacts are unevenly distributed. Ironically, countries that contribute the least to global carbon emissions are among the hardest hit—and Nepal falls squarely into this category. Glaciers are melting rapidly, the risk of glacial lake outburst floods is increasing, rainfall patterns are becoming erratic, and mountain and hill ecosystems are under mounting pressure. Despite the severity of the crisis, Nepal has yet to fully leverage climate diplomacy.
Nepal has raised its voice in international climate negotiations as part of groups such as the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), mountain nations, China, and the G-77. However, unlike island nations that have successfully framed rising sea levels as a global moral crisis—thereby attracting substantial international support and climate finance—Nepal’s efforts have yet to achieve similar impact. Countries in the Arctic region, too, have elevated polar climate issues into strong diplomatic agendas.
Nepal has attempted to highlight mountain issues through initiatives such as the Sagarmatha Dialogue. However, these efforts have yet to evolve into sustained and robust diplomatic strategies. To make a meaningful impact, Nepal must adopt a stronger, long-term, and strategic approach to climate diplomacy—one that is grounded in evidence, effective advocacy, and leadership in international forums.
At the same time, Nepal stands to gain significant domestic opportunities if it embraces a green transition. Expanding clean energy and making agriculture, industry, transport, and infrastructure climate-friendly can lay the foundation for a climate-focused economy—and future prosperity. Failure to act could jeopardise both past development gains and future ambitions.
Climate change has already begun to affect Nepal’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by a few percentage points, and the impact is expected to intensify. According to Climate Analytics, Nepal’s GDP could decline by around 18 percent by 2050 if current temperature trends persist.
Pilot of Aviation Museum
Addressing this issue—deeply tied to Nepal’s long-term prosperity—requires both strong domestic groundwork and the ability to attract external support while strengthening the country’s global presence.
The previous government had decided to rename the Ministry of Forests and Environment as the Ministry of Forests, Environment and Climate Change. An earlier administration had also proposed forming a permanent negotiation team for international climate talks. However, these decisions remain unimplemented, reflecting a persistent gap between commitments and action—and a troubling lack of urgency.
Changing climate diplomacy
Since the 1990s, global climate negotiations have largely taken place under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The 1992 convention and the 1997 Kyoto Protocol laid the foundation for international climate governance. While initially state-centric, climate diplomacy has since evolved into a more complex and networked system.
Today, climate policy is shaped not only by governments but also by scientists, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, cities, and civil society—an approach often referred to as “network diplomacy.” In such a landscape, even smaller nations can draw attention to their specific concerns. For Nepal, these include the Himalayas, climate justice, and access to climate finance.
The Hindu Kush Himalaya region, often called the “Third Pole,” contains the largest ice reserves outside the polar regions. Rivers originating here sustain nearly two billion people across South Asia, including the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus. Yet, Himalayan glaciers are melting at an alarming rate.
Scientific studies warn that large parts of the Himalayas could face severe risks in the coming decades, threatening water security, agriculture, energy production, and regional stability. Protecting the Himalayas is therefore not just a national or regional concern—it is a global imperative. Nepal must place this reality at the centre of its climate diplomacy.
Nepal also holds a unique opportunity to act as a bridge between China and India. By leveraging shared scientific evidence and common interests, Nepal can promote regional cooperation on glacier monitoring, research, early warning systems, and sustainable infrastructure. However, existing efforts remain fragmented, and greater coordination is needed to position Nepal as a key regional actor.
At the same time, while China and India are among the world’s largest carbon emitters, they are also leaders in renewable energy. Rather than viewing them solely as contributors to the problem, Nepal can engage them as partners—adopting technology and experience to accelerate its own green transition.
Another major challenge is attracting climate finance. Despite global commitments to support vulnerable countries, Nepal has not received funding proportional to its risks—largely due to limited internal capacity and relatively weak diplomatic engagement.
If Nepal can effectively position the Himalayas as central to global climate and water security, international support is likely to grow. At the same time, developing credible and well-designed climate projects will be crucial to accessing funds such as the Green Climate Fund.
In this broader context, leadership and strategic vision are indispensable. Influencing international negotiations requires diplomatic skill, scientific understanding, and long-term thinking. There is also a pressing need to develop specialised expertise in climate diplomacy and strengthen coordination among key ministries and institutions.
The climate crisis poses serious risks for Nepal—but it also presents opportunities. By elevating Himalayan protection as a global priority, Nepal can attract climate finance, deepen regional cooperation, and strengthen its voice on the world stage.
As Balen prepares to lead the next government, the key question remains: will he appoint a capable “co-pilot” to navigate both the risks and opportunities of climate change? The answer may emerge in the coming days.
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