By Dipesh Chapagain 

(Durban) “There is a need for a stronger political commitment beyond narrow short term interest, we should not let our people down”, Hon. Environment Minister Hemraj Tater, Government of Nepal stressed in his statement in high level segment of the UN climate change conference (COP 17/CMP 7) in Durban, South Africa on December 7, 2011.

In his statement, Minister Tater expressed his solidarity to the statements made by the Argentina on behalf of G77 & China and Gambia on behalf of the LDCs. He highlighted the principle of equity, justice and global solidarity for the survival and well beings of the most vulnerable people. The major agendas that Nepal laid emphasis on the high level segments are

1. Implementation of the outcomes from Bali and Cancun climate conference
2. Substantial progress on Adaptation, Mitigation, Finance, Technology transfer and development and capacity build-up
3. Second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol to limit the global temperature rise below 1.5° C
4. Operationalisation of the Cancun Adaptation Framework, Technology Mechanism and Green Climate Fund with due priority to LDCs under the authority and guidance of COP
5. Replenishment of the LDCF and other climate change funds with easy and fast access to NAPA implementation and preparation and implementation of NAPs
6. Consider REDD + and CDM as important instrument for sustainable development and poverty reduction
7. Simplify and make specific rules and procedure on CDM to the LDCs

Hon. Minister stated that “despite our limited capabilities, we have recognized adaptation as a National Survival Strategy to protect our people, livelihood and ecosystems”. He committed to begun to develop the urgent and immediate adaptation actions within NAPA with 80 % of the budget channelled to the local level in keeping with the National Framework on Local Adaptation Programme of Action (LAPA). The minister also commits to promote the clean and renewable energy development path to reduce the green house gases emission.

He also reminds the initiation of the Mountain Initiative by Nepal in Copenhagen on 2009. Issues of declining snow cover and retreating glacier in the mountain and vulnerability of the poor people residing in mountainous areas was given major emphasis in the statement. To highlight the agenda of mountain and develop the cooperation among the mountainous country, the Government of Nepal also organized a side event in COP 17 on December 5 with representation from many countries.

In his concluding remarks, the minister urged that “there must be shift from the pledge-based approach to a result based approach”.