Climate Expert Urges Reduced Reliance on Foreign Aid for Climate Action

Kathmandu. Joint Secretary and climate expert of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment, Dr. Maheshwar Dhakal, has stated that reliance on foreign aid for climate action should not be excessive. Speaking at a meeting of the National Assembly's Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee held at Singha Durbar on Wednesday, he emphasized the need to utilize internal resources for climate action rather than depending on foreign aid. He stated that the strategy should be to seek cooperation and grants from the international community only after internal resources are insufficient. He informed that the government has set a target to increase the share of climate-friendly budget to 20 percent within the next five years. Currently, about 5 percent of the total budget is allocated as climate-friendly budget. He mentioned that the 16th Five-Year Plan of the National Planning Commission aims to prepare climate adaptation plans in all 753 local levels of the country. Speaking at the committee meeting, Dr. Dhakal said, 'How can we make better use of the Nepali government's own budget and how can we make the budget at the local level effective is an important issue. We should seek help from the foreign community only after the internal budget is insufficient. We need to improve our own working methods and strategies to gain more benefits as developed nations often create hurdles in various processes for funds under the Climate Convention.' He stressed the need to formulate strategies for Nepal to gain maximum benefits from the funds under the Climate Convention. He stated that Nepal needs to improve its working methods to increase access to climate finance as developed nations often create hurdles for grants and compensation. He identified Nepal's scattered settlement development as an important issue for climate and development policy and suggested reconsidering settlement expansion plans. He emphasized the need for a strong presence of Nepal's political leadership at the high-level 'Leader Summit' to be held at the upcoming climate conference.