Addressing the ongoing COP-27 in Sharm El Shiekh, Egypt, Minister for Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, Uma Regmi said that the high population and topography of South Asian countries have exposed them to higher risks of climate change in a meeting of environment ministers from South Asia.
She said the agenda in the meeting reflects the collective efforts to counter the climate crisis. She added, “Global warming has affected more in the Himalayan region more as compared to others.
There are extreme weather events such as landslides, floods, inundation, and change in rain patterns, resulting in huge loss to physical infrastructures and damages of millions of rupees of crops.”
She addressed the committee further stating that climate change had impacted women, senior citizens, the poor, the marginalized, and local committees more as they are facing difficulty in adapting to a lack of capacity and resources. She also stated that climate change has slowed down the achievements made by Nepal in poverty alleviation, primary healthcare, and inclusive development.
According to her, Nepal has lost around 2 percent of GDP to climate change-induced loss and damage while the loss and damages are expected to increase by five times. Nepal has already presented a long-term climate finance strategy, and work plan – The Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
Minister Regmi said, “We need assistance for capacity building, adaptation, and green, resilient and inclusive development.”
