COP 18 on the UNFCCC and Nepal
 
The 18th Conference of the Parties (COP) on the UN Framework Convention on 
Climate Change (UNFCCC) was held at Doha, Qatar during 26 November –7 
December 2012 to address the current climate change issues at all levels. The 
conference concluded with a number of decisions including the Green Climate 
Fund (GCF) and additional guidance to the least developed countries’ fund. The 
representatives from 195 parties had taken part in the Convention. On behalf of 
the Government of Nepal, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment 
had led the delegation. The conference is an important forum especially for the 
least developed countries like Nepal. The countries shared their experiences 
regarding the impacts as well as adaptation and mitigation of the climate change 
phenomena with the global communities. 

The conference produced a package of documents collectively titled as ‘the Doha 
Climate Gateway’ containing the decisions of the conference. The important 
decision was made on the amendment of the Kyoto Protocol (to be ratified before 
entering into the force) to be continued until the second commitment period 
running from 2013 to 2020. The governments have agreed to establish the legal 
instrument for smooth implementation of the protocol. The conference realized 
the approaches that address loss and damage associated with climate change 
impacts in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse 
effects of climate change to enhance adaptive capacity. It is noted that a range of 
approaches, methods and tools is available to assess the risk, and to respond to 
loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change. 

During the conference, the governments have agreed to make a universal climate 
change agreement covering all countries until 2020, to be adopted by 2015. For 
the purpose, the member countries will closely work together during 2013 to 
prepare the new agreement and to explore further ways in reducing the emission 
level. As per the agreement, the governments will submit their information, 
views and proposals on actions and initiatives regarding the emission cut to the 
UN Climate Change Secretariat, by 1 March 2013. The conference decided to 
develop the mechanism particularly needed for the smooth implementation of 
technology transfer and financial support to the developing countries. The GCF 
is expected to start from second half of 2013 so that activities can be launched in 
2014. Realizing the importance of the climate technology matters, the member 

Banko Janakari 
A Journal of Forestry Information for Nepal

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parties further decided to establish a Climate Technology Centre (CTC) as the 
implementing wing of the UNFCCCs Technology Mechanism and to endorse the 
constitution of the CTC Advisory Board. 

Climate financing was the core part of the discussion in the conference though no 
such exciting agreements have been made so far as expected by the least developed 
and developing countries. Developed countries only repeated their commitment 
to continue long term climate finance support to developing countries as promised 
during the COP 17. It is expected that the member countries will work on long-
term financing mechanism during 2013 to support on-going efforts as well as to 
scale up existing mobilization of climate finance resources. 

The conference was important from the forestry perspective as well since the 
forum was used to clarify the ways and means to measure deforestation. More 
importantly, the global community has assured that the efforts against deforestation 
and forest degradation will be supported and compensated. Nepal was successful 
to deliver its ideas on the climate change issues of the nation including the 
REDD+ during the conference though outcomes from the discussion were not 
relatively satisfactory as expected for the least developed countries like Nepal. 
Nepal is a pilot country for the implementation of Reducing Emission through 
Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) program, the presence of forestry 
professionals and the relevant government institutions in the conference is very 
important. In Nepal, the Department of Forest Research and Survey under the 
Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation is responsible for carrying out forest 
resource inventory at regional and national levels. It is equally responsible for 
MRV (monitoring, reporting, and verification of the forest resources) component 
of REDD+ initiative in Nepal. 

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