Nepal lawmakers urge climate justice and glacial risk management ahead of COP-31

Members of Nepal's National Assembly are calling for increased focus on climate justice and finance ahead of COP-31. Lawmakers emphasized the need for effective disaster risk reduction, particularly regarding the 21 glacial lakes in Nepal identified as being at risk. Discussions highlighted the necessity of investing in early warning systems and preparedness rather than focusing solely on post-disaster relief.

Following a devastating glacial flood on the Nepal–Tibet border that killed over 1,000 people, experts are urging for better scientific monitoring of Himalayan glaciers. While the region supports ten major river systems and the security of six nations, a critical knowledge gap remains regarding water volume and melting rates. Researchers suggest that scientific innovation must be paired with cross-border data sharing and coordinated monitoring networks.

In terms of financing, experts from the Green Climate Fund and the World Bank noted that while capital for water investment exists, a bottleneck remains in aligning policy and regulation to create bankable projects. There is a growing interest in blended finance to address these systemic challenges.