KATHMANDU, April 9: Nepal is finalizing its priorities ahead of the First International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, scheduled in Santa Marta, Colombia, from April 24–29, 2026.
A national consultation organized by the Ministry of Forests and Environment in collaboration with Digo Bikash Institute and Clean Energy Nepal emphasized that Nepal should advocate for a just, equitable, and nationally appropriate transition at the international forum.
The conference was endorsed at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, last November and is co-led by Colombia and the Netherlands.
Modric, Marta win Best FIFA player 2018 awards
Dr. Maheshwor Dhakal, Chief of the Climate Change Management Division, said Nepal will highlight its focus on renewable energy, electrification, and bioenergy, as outlined in its third Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3). Nepal aims to strengthen national policies and legal frameworks, enhance institutional capacity for energy security, and diversify the energy mix by 2030, with a long-term goal of net-zero emissions by 2045.
Nepal’s commitments are backed by key policies including the National Climate Change Policy 2019 and Renewable Energy Subsidy Policy 2016, along with sectoral strategies.
Climate expert Manjeet Dhakal warned that rising global temperatures could reduce Nepal’s GDP by up to 17% by 2050, threatening sectors such as agriculture, hydropower, tourism, and remittances. He noted that the country is already witnessing a gradual decline in petroleum use, signaling a shift away from fossil fuels.
Although Nepal’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions is minimal, the country faces severe climate risks, including glacial lake outburst floods, erratic rainfall, and rising heat stress.
