November 22, 2015
Campaign for Climate Justice Nepal (CCJN), as the Nepal arm of the Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice (GCDCJ) in collaboration with Rural Reconstruction Nepal, South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE) and LDC Watch has organized a half-day “Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Climate Justice” on 22nd November 2015 in Kathmandu.
Speaking as the Chief Guest Mr Bishwendra Paswan, Minister for Science, Technology and Environment (MoSTE) said that, developed countries have the upper hand in the climate change negotiations, and as poor countries, we have not been treated fairly by developed countries.
Special Guest Dr Krishna Chandra Poudel, Secretary of MoSTE pointed out that, although Nepal along with LDC Group has been strongly demanding for keeping the temperature below 1.5-degree Celsius and climate finance, we need to be flexible given tough negotiations with developed countries at the COP 21.
Dr Sarba Raj Khadka, Coordinator of CCJN put forward his views that the heart of climate justice is the understanding that urgent action is needed to address climate change based on community-led solutions and the well-being of local communities, indigenous peoples, and the global poor who are at the frontlines of climate catastrophes, despite being the least responsible for climate change. He further said that we will not be able to stop climate change if we don’t change the neo-liberal, corporate-based economy which stops us from achieving sustainable societies.
Ms Prerna Bomzan, Advocacy Coordinator of LDC Watch expressed that we need to demand a legally binding post-2020 agreement in Paris with a balanced outcome, making the agreement more accountable for developed countries’ historical responsibility towards developing countries and especially LDCs.
Mr Raju Pandit Chhetri briefed the participants in regards to the mechanism of the international climate negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and what is at stake at COP 21 in Paris.
The interaction program was organized in the context of the 21st Conference of Parties (CoP21) of the UNFCCC scheduled from 30 Nov to 11 Dec 2015 in Paris, France. This conference will adopt a new climate agreement which will take effect post-2020 after the end of the Kyoto Protocol.
The program was chaired by Dr. Sarba Raj Khadka, Coordinator of CCJN and Ms. Sharmila Karki, Member of CCJN and President, of the NGO Federation of Nepal welcomed the participants and facilitated the dialogue.
Earlier the CCJN had organized regional-level dialogues and consultations in Dhangadhi and Dhankuta on 18 November 2015 with the participation of different groups such as peasants, workers’ groups, natural resources user groups, indigenous groups, Dalits, women and representatives of different federations and networks working in the fields of human rights and people’s empowerment.##
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