LALITPUR, Sept 30: Lessons from the recent Bhotekoshi floods should be incorporated into Nepal’s proposed National Climate Policy, 2026, civil society groups and other stakeholders have urged the government.
At a national consultation held in Lalitpur on Tuesday, participants called on the government not to rush the policy’s finalization and to ensure meaningful participation of communities affected by climate change.
They said the policy should go beyond emissions reduction and environmental protection to address climate justice, adaptation, disaster risk reduction, loss and damage, climate finance and the rights of vulnerable communities.
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The consultation was organized by the NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN), Nepal SDG Forum, Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN) and Oxfam. It brought together 71 participants, with 27 experts and stakeholders presenting their views.
Participants called for stronger early warning and disaster preparedness systems, clear climate responsibilities among federal, provincial and local governments, and greater access to climate finance for local communities and civil society. They also urged the policy to prioritize women, youth, Indigenous peoples, Dalits and other vulnerable groups.
They stressed the need to link relief, recovery and reconstruction with long-term climate resilience and to integrate agriculture, water, energy, biodiversity, community forestry and livelihoods into the policy.
“Let’s not rush the policy. Let’s hold adequate consultations, listen to affected communities and incorporate the views of all stakeholders before finalizing it,” participants urged.
A seven-member task force has been formed to compile and analyze the recommendations and submit a common civil society proposal to the government.
The organizers said meaningful participation of affected communities, civil society, experts, youth, women, the private sector and development partners would be crucial to making the policy effective.
