roadmap to nepal’s strategic engagement in the 26th

Draft: April 02, 2021

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Roadmap to Nepal’s strategic engagement in the 26th Conference of

the Parties (COP26) of United Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 26)

Table of Contents

Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................ 1

Background:............................................................................................................................................ 2

Objective ................................................................................................................................................. 2

Key Pillars of the Roadmap .................................................................................................................... 3

Partnerships and Collaboration ............................................................................................................. 4

Roadmap for UNFCCC COP 26 ................................................................................................................ 5

Executive Summary With the declaration of the UK Government hosting COP 26 in Glasgow in November 2021, the

Government of Nepal proactively aims to engage more strategically and effectively at the national

and international level to raise awareness of the climate action needs and priorities of Nepal,

especially the mountain agenda. Nepal has unprecedented opportunity to ensure its heightened

international profile on climate change through ongoing leadership on climate action and in

leveraging and mainstreaming non-traditional and low carbon financing. The Ministry of Forests and

Environment (MoFE), the Government of Nepal has identified four key areas of engagement as a

part of effective participation in COP 26. They are i) Showcasing Nepal Climate Change Agenda in

COP 26; ii) Enhancing partnership and dialogues leaving no one behind; (iii) Defining and

strengthening Nepal’s position for COP26; and iv) Ensuring strong representation in UNFCCC COP 26

negotiation process. The suggestive activities and roadmap have been prepared for its

implementation in collaboration with national and international development partners to support

MoFE.

Government of Nepal

Ministry of Forests and Environment


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Background: Nepal is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, with increased events of flash

floods, glacial outbursts, droughts, landslides, heat/cold waves, and unpredictable rainfall in recent

years. An increase in these climate impacts would threaten Nepal's development efforts and the

lives and livelihoods, particularly of women and marginalized groups.

The Government of Nepal is a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate

Change (UNFCCC) and has ratified the Paris Agreement, adopted during the 21st session of the

UNFCCC. Nepal as a Least Developed Country (LDC) has a high stake in the outcome of the UNFCCC

negotiations process. The Government of Nepal has been actively participating in the COP

negotiation process. Nepal has been so far well communicating to the world about challenges and

opportunities from the climate change.

In accordance with the provision of the UNFCCC, Nepal has taken various initiatives in devising

appropriate polices, legal instrument, programme, institutional and financial arrangements toward

climate resilience. Nepal has recently endorsed the National Climate Change Policy 2019,

Environment Protection Act and Regulations 2019, National Framework for Local Adaptation Plan of

Action, 2019, Climate Resilient Planning and Budgeting Guidelines 2020, GESI and Climate Change

Strategy and Action Plan 2020 and submitted Second NDC in 2020 as a part of the Paris Agreement.

Nepal’s improved (ambitious) NDC is estimated to cost USD 28.4 billion. In 2021, Nepal is planning to

communicate Third National Communication Report, NDC implementation plan/roadmap, National

Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, National Adaptation Plan, Long Term Low Greenhouse Gases

Emission Development Strategy 2050.

Nepal has demonstrated strong leadership in taking domestic climate action and inviting

development partners to be part of this journey recognizing that the participation of all relevant

stakeholders is very crucial to contribute towards implementation of the National Climate Change

Policy and action plans. On 12 Dec 2020, during the Global Climate Ambition Summit, Honorable

Prime Minster of Nepal highlighted that Nepal is seeking easy and adequate access to climate

finance, which becomes critical for implementation of ambition and Nepal seek hands of all countries

to march ahead for greener journey together.

With the declaration of the UK Government hosting COP 26 in Glasgow in Nov 2021, the

Government of Nepal proactively aims to engage more strategically and effectively at the national

and international level to raise awareness of the needs and priorities of the Nepal especially the

mountain agenda. With this Nepal has unprecedented opportunity to ensure its heighted

international profile on climate change and in leveraging and mainstreaming non-traditional and low

carbon financing. Also, it is important to ensure that UNFCCC policies and funding instruments will

be of benefit to Nepal. The Government of Nepal aspires to engage national and international

partners to be able to strengthen Nepal’s participation in the COP 26 in a variety of events,

communication, and knowledge management initiatives. In this regard, MoFE prepared this UNFCCC

COP 26 roadmap to systematically engage relevant Government institutions and development

partners in the process.

Objective The key objective of the Nepal’s strategic engagement in UNFCCC COP26 and its roadmap is to

strategize priorities action as a part of preparation to effectively participate and coordinate various

activities by building ownership, get feedback and ensure collaboration. Nepal seeks to have a strong

leadership and representation in the COP26 and bring forward different agendas including loss &

damage, climate finance, adaptation & resilience, enhanced transparency framework. Positioning


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strongly, Nepal seeks to engage in negotiations and showcase successes and innovation, and secure

financing to meet national adaptation and mitigation targets.

The key outcomes anticipated are as follows.

Government of Nepal resilience profile heighted at the national and international fora

through improved and more strategic influencing capacity during the UNFCCC negotiation

process.

Increased access to climate financing mechanisms and partnership to address the climate

risk management and resilience needs of the climate vulnerable communities across Nepal

by leveraging resilience and low carbon financing.

Key Pillars of the Roadmap The Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) organized initial consultation in 2020, engaging

wider national stakeholders represented by Government, non-government, and development

partners to understand the interest, contribution and extending partnerships. The inputs were

received to organize strategic events, communication, and knowledge management initiatives,

where Government of Nepal can take lead in collaboration with relevant national and international

development partners. Furthermore, inputs received were classified in three broad areas of

engagement, which are explained in detail below.

1. Showcasing Nepal Climate Change Agenda in COP 26

Nepal’s commitment as per the Paris Agreement: Highlighting Nepal’s policy landscape and

programmatic interventions including forthcoming one in 2021 (such as Third National

Communication, NAP, adaptation communication, National Vulnerability and Risk

Assessment, NDC implementation roadmap and 2050 Long-Term Strategy). Nepal strongly

demands for climate action and promotes in Second NDC.

Knowledge Management and Evidence Generation: Nepal will prepare to strongly position

for negotiations in COP26 through knowledge management and evidence generation of

different best practices, innovations, and lessons learned in the areas of nature-based

solutions, energy transitions, adaptation and resilience, disaster risk management, green

recovery etc. Nepal aims to prepare for demonstrating strong leadership on climate action,

showcasing innovation and successes, highlighting investment needs and priorities for

climate action.

Messaging and Communication: Nepal intends in taking forward mountain agenda at center

stage to represent key issue with progressive voice in the LDC group and influence regional

players to be more ambitious on climate action. Nepal intends to communicate impacts and

best practices including bringing forward the voices of vulnerable communities, marginalized

groups through audio, visual and print media engaging journalists. With this Nepal aims to

ensure recognition for bilateral and multilateral partnership to share the common positions

and commitment to a high ambition outcome.

2. Enhancing partnership and dialogues leaving no one behind

Leaving No One Behind: Nepal intends to take forward Leaving No one Behind agenda into practice. Representation and engagement by all important stakeholders to raise their voice on climate agenda by youth, women, Private Sector, Indigenous Communities, CSO, local governments, Parliamentarians, and Political parties is key to enhancing partnerships and dialogues. Identifying the champions for advocating the challenges and opportunities in COP


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26. Engaging vulnerable and marginalized communities to raise and bring forth their issues through public discussions. Nepal will also engage in regional level especially with Hindu Kush Himalayan region to take the mountain agenda at the center stage.

Organize Events: Celebrating various important theme days highlighting climate agenda; Hold discussion, dialogues, conference, panel discussion and high-level events (bi-lateral and multilateral) regularly to showcase Nepal’s climate agenda. Partner with stakeholders to mark theme days.

Engaging and mobilizing with local and provincial governments: The sub national

engagement in the process should be taken highest consideration to raise awareness and

reflect the issues in COP 26. In the aspiration of federalism, Nepal seeks to engage local and

provincial governments to sensitize on climate change issues as well as to discuss on

integration and implementation of climate action in sub-national level.

3. Defining and strengthening Nepal’s position for COP26 Key Thematic areas: The areas of work should be highlighted based on Nepal’s ambition of

LDC graduation. Some of the proposed preliminary themes are loss and damage; climate

financing; adaptation; mitigation; means of implementation and enhanced transparency

framework. These themes will be agreed upon considering country priorities and

consultation with experts.

Expert Thematic Group: Setting up expert thematic working group to prepare Nepal’s

position and communicate to all national and international stakeholders in systematic

manner. The groups will include experts of different themes and organize thematic

discussions to define Nepal’s position for COP26.

Preparatory positioning: Organizing Sagarmatha dialogue which was pending due to COVID 19 lockdown. This will help to pre-position Nepal's priority at the regional level and develop regional and international coalition on agenda of mutual interest.

4. Ensuring strong representation in UNFCCC COP 26 negotiation process.

Effective negotiation and positioning: Government of Nepal intends to organise orientation and training sessions for delegates to ensure strong representation of Nepal in UNFCCC COP 26 Negotiation processes.

High-level Closed-Door meetings: Nepal intends to hold high-level closed door bilateral and multilateral meetings. Nepal seeks to engage with different ministries and development partners to prepare negotiation briefs, visibility materials for high-level closed-door meetings.

Nepal’s Pavilion and Side Event in COP 26: In partnership with different national and international stakeholders, showcase Nepal in the Pavilion in COP 26 and organizing various side events demonstrating innovation and successes of Nepal’s action on climate change.

Partnerships and Collaboration In delivering high impact message in the areas of work identified in the key pillars, the Ministry of

Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal will invite national and international development

partners to provide their institutional offer and commitments on the list of suggestive actions based

on this roadmap.


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Roadmap for UNFCCC COP 26 Area 1: Showcasing Nepal innovations and leadership on climate resilience in COP 26

S/N Intervention Description Timeline Outputs Lead Agency

Supporting Agency

1.1 Documenting and showcasing Best Practices, Innovations and Lessons Learned

Evidence generation and knowledge management of different successes and best practices elated to nature-based solutions, energy transitions, adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk management, green recovery

Jan-Dec 2021

10 videos

8 radio programmes

10 print/online articles

10 TV programmes

MoFE

1.2 Identify innovations on climate change: Innovation Fair on climate change engaging ongoing projects and program.

Invite different projects and programmes on climate change to demonstrate successful innovations on climate change

Aug 2021 1 Innovation Fair MoFE

1.3 Develop Climate Financing and Investment Roadmap

Climate financing and investment roadmap highlighting Nepal’s investment and financing needs and priorities

Sept 2021 Climate Financing/Investment Roadmap

MoFE/MoF and NPC

1.4 Develop Sectoral Climate Adaptation, and Innovation Briefs (8 thematic areas+1 cross-cutting area)

Briefs on different sectors as per Climate Change Policy 2019 to highlight impacts of climate change, adaptation and innovation options based on ongoing Vulnerability and Risk Assessments

Feb-June 2021

9 Policy briefs highlighting impact, adaptation and investment needed.

MoFE and sector Thematic Working Group (TWG) chair

1.5 Support Exploratory Media Fellowship and host journalists in the COP 26.

Provide media fellowships to journalists representing different media to highlight climate change agenda in print/digital media. Selected journalists to attend COP/

Feb-Dec 2021

10 media fellowships

MoFE and sectoral TWGs chair


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Area 2: Enhancing partnership and dialogues leaving no one behind.

S/N Intervention Description Timeline Outputs Lead Agency Supporting Agency

2.1 Marking the day- Day Celebration (events and comms. products) - Wetlands Day (Feb 2); World Wildlife Day (Mar 3); World Water Day (Mar 22); Earth Day (Apr. 22); International Day of Biodiversity (May 22); World Environment Day (June 5)

Raising Nepal’s position on different issues through marking of important international days. Collaborate with different relevant agencies to mark these days.

Feb-Oct 2021

6 press release and communication materials including 2-mins videos, events, radio programmes

MoFE and its Department

2.2 Engage with different stakeholders: Bilateral/Multilateral Agencies, Youth, Private Sector, Indigenous Communities, CSOs, Parliamentarians, Political Parties

Organise bilateral meetings and discussions with different groups: bilateral/multilateral agencies, youth, CSOs, Parliamentarians, Political Parties among others for fostering partnerships, develop understanding their priorities and take forward for shaping up Nepal’s position

Apr-Sept 2021

8-10 meetings MoFE

2.3 Raise the voices of marginalized and vulnerable groups: public hearing/discussions in vulnerable areas

Organizing public hearing/discussions in vulnerable areas to bring forth the impacts of climate change and adaptation efforts adopted by local people especially vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Apr-Sept 2021

2-3 public hearing

MoFE and local governments


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2.4 Engage with and raise voices of women climate champions/leaders

Support and showcase challenges and leadership of Nepali women in tackling climate change.

Apr-June 2021

20 women climate champions

2-3 comms. products highlighting women’s climate leadership

MoFE

2.5 Engaging high level representatives of the Government Agencies on climate change through Inter-Ministerial Climate Change Coordination Meetings

Support to mainstream priorities and budget required to address e second NDC and NAP into sectoral planning and facilitate data collection and annual climate reporting

March and July 2021

2 events NPC, MoF, MoFE

2.6 Engaging and sensitizing provincial and local governments

In aspiration of federalized Nepal, consultations with provincial and local governments- sensitize on climate change issues, discuss role of local and provincial governments in integrating and implementing climate actions at local level.

Apr-Sept 2021

7-10 provincial and local level consultations

MoFE, provincial and local governments

2.7 Engagement with Schools to sensitize and raise awareness on climate change

School-led events like art competition, debates, school fair to sensitize and engage students on climate change issue

May-Aug 2021

4-5 school events MoFE


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Area 3: Defining and strengthening Nepal’s position for COP26 S/N Intervention Description Timeline Outputs Lead Agency Supporting

Agency

3.1 Formation of Technical Committees on different themes representing different Government and Non-Government agencies

These technical committees will represent different government and non-government agencies and will primarily engage in organizing thematic discussions and setting up Nepal’s position in COP26

Feb-March 2021

9 Technical Committees Formed


3.2 Organize thematic brown bag series on different thematic areas (8 thematic areas and 1 cross cutting)

Thematic discussions to raise awareness and foster dialogues on impacts of climate change, ways to effectively respond and innovation on different sectors

Feb-Oct 2021

9 thematic brown bag series on climate change agenda – press release


3.3 Define Nepal’s position in COP26 Based on consultations with different thematic experts, Nepal will set its position for COP26

Aug-Sept 2021

1 Position Paper

1 animated video demonstrating Nepal’s position


3.4. Organizing Sagarmatha dialogue This will help to pre-position Nepal's priority at the regional level and develop regional and international coalition on agenda of mutual interest.

Aug-Sept 2021 (TBD)

Sagarmatha Dialogue organized

2-3 comms. products

MoFE/MoFA


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Area 4: Ensuring strong representation in UNFCCC COP 26 negotiation process.

S/N Intervention Description Timeline Outputs Lead Agency Supporting Agency

4.1 Conduct GoN orientation and training sessions for UNFCCC negotiations

These training aim to build the capacity of delegates for strong participation in negotiation process. GoN seeks to partner with other agencies for capacity building.

Aug 2021 2 events

MoFE and GoN negotiating team from sector line ministries

4.2 Participation of Nepali delegates in inter-session and COP 26 events

Nepal will negotiate as a key member of the LDC group. Push for agreed agendas including L&D, finance, adaptation, resilience, and others.

Sep-Nov 2021

20 Government officials supported to participate in the events.

MoFE and sectoral TWGs chair

4.3 Establish Pavilion and organize Side Events during COP in collaboration with other agencies. Event to be organized in collaboration with regional agency such as ICIMOD.

Showcase Nepal’s successes and innovations in international arena and heighten Nepal’s climate profile. Take forward Mountain Agenda. Potentially partner for regional level Pavilion.

Sep-Nov 2021

Pavilion space in COP 26 venue secured.

4-6 Visibility Materials

At least 2 event per day during negotiation process to showcase Nepal’s issue.

Host 6 side events

MoFE

4.4 Preparation for High-level closed-door meetings

Bilateral/Multilateral closed-door negotiations to seek commitments on increased financing for energy, innovation, technology, adaptation; and meet NDC target.

Sept-Nov 2021

3-4 closed door meetings MoFE

4.5 Organize pre-COP and post COP national consultation workshop

Consultation with stakeholders pre-and post-COP. Action points and position for COP26 and post-COP follow up.

Oct and Dec 2021

2 events MoFE


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Please send your suggestion/feedback to:

Arun Prakash Bhatta (Under Secretary)

[email protected]

[email protected]

Mobile: 9843505610

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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