Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10KATHMANDU74
2010-01-27 10:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
CLIMATE CHANGE COULD SEVERELY IMPACT NEPAL
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000074
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM KGHG NP
SUBJECT: CLIMATE CHANGE COULD SEVERELY IMPACT NEPAL
KATHMANDU 00000074 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000074
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM KGHG NP
SUBJECT: CLIMATE CHANGE COULD SEVERELY IMPACT NEPAL
KATHMANDU 00000074 001.2 OF 002
1. (SBU) Summary: Due to its geographic location in the
Himalayas, Nepal is likely to be substantially impacted by
climate change. During a meeting with leading environmental
non-governmental organizations, private citizens, and the
Minister of Forests and Soil Conservation, PDAS Moon urged
Nepal to associate itself with the Copenhagen Accords. The
Minister and NGO leaders asked the United States to help
address the fundamental challenges that will result from a
changing climate. End Summary.
Copenhagen to Kathmandu
--------------
2. (SBU) During the Copenhagen climate change conference,
Nepal organized peaceful demonstrations to highlight climate
change impacts on the mountains and people of Nepal. These
events (the highlight of which was a peaceful march) were
well attended by the international mountaineering community
and drew modest international media attention. Despite these
and other efforts, Minister of Forests and Soil Conservation
Deepak Bohra complained that mountain nations failed to
receive sufficient mention in the main events at Copenhagen.
3. (SBU) According to Minister Bohra, Nepal is trying to use
its leadership of the group of 49 Least Developed Countries
to elevate the importance of Nepal in climate change
negotiations. Nepal,s Prime Minister is trying to establish
a network of "mountain countries" for future climate change
negotiations. Minister Bohra said the network could include
Himalayan, Andean, Alpine, and other mountainous nations.
(Note: Climate change will likely impact the Himalayan
watershed in radically different ways, compared to other
mountain ranges' watersheds, such as the Rocky Mountains.
End Note.)
4. (SBU) Despite the lack of focus on mountain nations,
Copenhagen represents significant progress towards addressing
climate change, according to Minister Bohra. Dr. Andreas
Schild, director of the International Centre for Integrated
Mountain Development (ICIMOD) - a regional research and
development organization - emphasized the urgency and
importance of addressing climate change and Nepal signing
onto COP 15. This view was reiterated and reinforced by
World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) Nepali climate change expert,
Ugan Mandandhar. PDAS Moon added that the USG has actively
encouraged Nepal to sign onto COP 15, and emphasized the
importance of world consensus to address climate change.
Climate Change and Nepal
--------------
5. (SBU) Several participants informed PDAS Moon that Nepal,
and the region, is likely to suffer from climate changes.
Changing weather and rainfall patterns will severely disrupt
traditional farming practices, on which 66 percent of
Nepalese depend. Higher temperatures and lower precipitation
levels will decrease the ability of high-elevation reservoirs
of water (glaciers and snow fields) to provide consistent
water to the more than one billion people living downstream.
Impacts of climate change on high altitude environments are
still largely unknown and awareness of these issues is
lacking, something organizations like ICIMOD and WWF in Nepal
are trying to change.
6. (SBU) Minister Bohra reported that on December 4, 2009
the Prime Minister held a well-publicized cabinet meeting on
Mount Everest to highlight these threats. Minister Bohra
participated and stated the importance of drawing
international attention to the impacts of climate change on
Nepal. ICIMOD and WWF representatives expressed optimism
that increased levels of international assistance for climate
change activities in Nepal could help mitigate the impending
threats. These experts see both adaptation and mitigation
efforts as critical in Nepal, and have already started to
undertake pilot activities in these areas.
Glacial Lakes
--------------
KATHMANDU 00000074 002.2 OF 002
7. (SBU) Increased glacial melt results in the formation of
glacial lakes, which threaten to burst and cause widespread
devastation. Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs),as they
are called, have the potential to be extremely dangerous in
Nepal, according to Dawa Sherpa, a mountaineer and climate
change ambassador for Nepal. Dr. Schild confirmed the
threat, and noted that there is a lack of research and
information about effective technical solutions to prevent
GLOFs in the Himalayas. There are over 200 glacial lakes in
the Hindu Kush area, many of which pose a significant threat
to Nepal. Dawa Sherpa asked the United States and the
international community to assist Nepal find and implement an
appropriate solution to prevent GLOFs.
Regional Issues
--------------
8. (SBU) Nepal is in a unique regional position, according
to Minister Bohra and the NGO groups. While Nepal's carbon
emissions are minimal, neighbors India and China are
substantial polluters. Water originating in Nepal accounts
for 45 percent of the annual flow of the Ganges River alone,
and provides water to over a billion people throughout Asia,
according to recent estimates. Nepal is keenly aware of the
importance of India and China in addressing climate change.
Minister Bohra outlined a proposed government strategy to
create regional dialogue to foster and coordinate regional
solutions to climate change issues. Minister Bohra made it
clear that regional and international efforts are both a
priority and a necessity to address climate change in Nepal,
and said he looked forward to Nepal taking more of a
leadership role both regionally and amongst mountain
countries in upcoming international events.
ORDWAY
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM KGHG NP
SUBJECT: CLIMATE CHANGE COULD SEVERELY IMPACT NEPAL
KATHMANDU 00000074 001.2 OF 002
1. (SBU) Summary: Due to its geographic location in the
Himalayas, Nepal is likely to be substantially impacted by
climate change. During a meeting with leading environmental
non-governmental organizations, private citizens, and the
Minister of Forests and Soil Conservation, PDAS Moon urged
Nepal to associate itself with the Copenhagen Accords. The
Minister and NGO leaders asked the United States to help
address the fundamental challenges that will result from a
changing climate. End Summary.
Copenhagen to Kathmandu
--------------
2. (SBU) During the Copenhagen climate change conference,
Nepal organized peaceful demonstrations to highlight climate
change impacts on the mountains and people of Nepal. These
events (the highlight of which was a peaceful march) were
well attended by the international mountaineering community
and drew modest international media attention. Despite these
and other efforts, Minister of Forests and Soil Conservation
Deepak Bohra complained that mountain nations failed to
receive sufficient mention in the main events at Copenhagen.
3. (SBU) According to Minister Bohra, Nepal is trying to use
its leadership of the group of 49 Least Developed Countries
to elevate the importance of Nepal in climate change
negotiations. Nepal,s Prime Minister is trying to establish
a network of "mountain countries" for future climate change
negotiations. Minister Bohra said the network could include
Himalayan, Andean, Alpine, and other mountainous nations.
(Note: Climate change will likely impact the Himalayan
watershed in radically different ways, compared to other
mountain ranges' watersheds, such as the Rocky Mountains.
End Note.)
4. (SBU) Despite the lack of focus on mountain nations,
Copenhagen represents significant progress towards addressing
climate change, according to Minister Bohra. Dr. Andreas
Schild, director of the International Centre for Integrated
Mountain Development (ICIMOD) - a regional research and
development organization - emphasized the urgency and
importance of addressing climate change and Nepal signing
onto COP 15. This view was reiterated and reinforced by
World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) Nepali climate change expert,
Ugan Mandandhar. PDAS Moon added that the USG has actively
encouraged Nepal to sign onto COP 15, and emphasized the
importance of world consensus to address climate change.
Climate Change and Nepal
--------------
5. (SBU) Several participants informed PDAS Moon that Nepal,
and the region, is likely to suffer from climate changes.
Changing weather and rainfall patterns will severely disrupt
traditional farming practices, on which 66 percent of
Nepalese depend. Higher temperatures and lower precipitation
levels will decrease the ability of high-elevation reservoirs
of water (glaciers and snow fields) to provide consistent
water to the more than one billion people living downstream.
Impacts of climate change on high altitude environments are
still largely unknown and awareness of these issues is
lacking, something organizations like ICIMOD and WWF in Nepal
are trying to change.
6. (SBU) Minister Bohra reported that on December 4, 2009
the Prime Minister held a well-publicized cabinet meeting on
Mount Everest to highlight these threats. Minister Bohra
participated and stated the importance of drawing
international attention to the impacts of climate change on
Nepal. ICIMOD and WWF representatives expressed optimism
that increased levels of international assistance for climate
change activities in Nepal could help mitigate the impending
threats. These experts see both adaptation and mitigation
efforts as critical in Nepal, and have already started to
undertake pilot activities in these areas.
Glacial Lakes
--------------
KATHMANDU 00000074 002.2 OF 002
7. (SBU) Increased glacial melt results in the formation of
glacial lakes, which threaten to burst and cause widespread
devastation. Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs),as they
are called, have the potential to be extremely dangerous in
Nepal, according to Dawa Sherpa, a mountaineer and climate
change ambassador for Nepal. Dr. Schild confirmed the
threat, and noted that there is a lack of research and
information about effective technical solutions to prevent
GLOFs in the Himalayas. There are over 200 glacial lakes in
the Hindu Kush area, many of which pose a significant threat
to Nepal. Dawa Sherpa asked the United States and the
international community to assist Nepal find and implement an
appropriate solution to prevent GLOFs.
Regional Issues
--------------
8. (SBU) Nepal is in a unique regional position, according
to Minister Bohra and the NGO groups. While Nepal's carbon
emissions are minimal, neighbors India and China are
substantial polluters. Water originating in Nepal accounts
for 45 percent of the annual flow of the Ganges River alone,
and provides water to over a billion people throughout Asia,
according to recent estimates. Nepal is keenly aware of the
importance of India and China in addressing climate change.
Minister Bohra outlined a proposed government strategy to
create regional dialogue to foster and coordinate regional
solutions to climate change issues. Minister Bohra made it
clear that regional and international efforts are both a
priority and a necessity to address climate change in Nepal,
and said he looked forward to Nepal taking more of a
leadership role both regionally and amongst mountain
countries in upcoming international events.
ORDWAY