From Kathmandu to Copenhagen

27 August 2009

Regional Climate Change Conference ‘From Kathmandu to Copenhagen’

Video slideshow: From Kathmandu to Copenhagen

South asia is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and the Himalayan mountain range is one most severely-affected parts of the region.

Next week, a high-level conference will take place in Kathmandu, Nepal to look at what vital action needs to be taken to tackle the impacts of climate change on people living across the region – many of whom are the poorest in the world.

There are just four months to go before the critical December UNFCCC meeting in Copenhagen when governments from all over the world will decide on the scale of their response to climate change. The outcome of this meeting will be crucial for the future of millions of people across South Asia.

The Himalayas, the so-called ‘water tower’ of South Asia, are a source of water for up to 700m people but the impact of climate change on the mountain range means that the frequency and incidence of severe natural disasters, such as floods, cyclones, droughts and landslides, are rapidly increasing.

The Government of Nepal is hosting next week’s conference, called From Kathmandu to Copenhagen: A Vision for Addressing Climate Change Risks and Opportunities in the Himalaya Region. The event, supported by DfID, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Denmark will bring together the region’s climate change experts, government representatives, politicians and civil society organisations.

The conference has a very concrete, practical aim – ensuring that the very latest evidence of the impacts of climate change on South Asia is clearly presented to those responsible for negotiating a global deal at Copenhagen.

To date, the challenges the region faces have been largely under-estimated and there is an urgent need for South Asian countries to make their voices heard and highlight what action needs to be taken by the international community to ensure Copenhagen is a success for the region.

There is much at stake. The opportunities in the Himalayas are great. Sustainable management of watersheds, forests and huge untapped hydropower resources will not only provide safety nets but also reduce carbon levels. Management of rivers to improve irrigation and reduce the impacts of floods and droughts will help large numbers of people adapt to their changing environment. These opportunities must not be wasted.

The future of the region is hanging in the balance. The next four months are critical.