Nepali Prime Minister Oli Talks Climate Crisis at Harvard IOP Forum

Nepali Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli said the progression of climate change invites “the extinction of life on Earth” and called on wealthier nations to support developing countries in shifting to more environmentally friendly energy sources during a Harvard Institute of Politics Forum on Friday.

The event was moderated by Fatema Z. Sumar, the executive director of the Center for International Development, and Michael Puett, the director of Harvard’s Asia Center.

Oli, who began his most recent term as prime minister in July, is the fifth person to serve in the role in as many years. His visit to Harvard came as Oli was in the U.S. for the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York.

Oli said developing countries are most threatened by the climate crisis and described how despite Nepal being one of the lowest emitters of greenhouse gasses, it is one of the most climate vulnerable countries.

He praises the establishment of the Loss and Damage agreement at the 2022 UN Climate Change Conference, which established a fund to support developing countries suffering from the effects of climate change.

“For us it’s simple. Those who pollute have to pay for that pollution” Oli said.

Oli also emphasized the extent to which climate change takes a toll on less wealthy countries like Nepal.

“The whole world is suffering but the developing countries are suffering the most,” Oli said.

“We are in the same boat,” he added. “If we don’t work to keep it afloat, we will sink together.”

Oli further described the distinction of Nepal’s climate crisis from other nations by describing how Nepal lies nearly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn — one of the hottest areas in the world — but that climate change is causing the Himalayan Mountains to lose their ice.

“Our Himalayas are losing their ice at an alarming rate and endangering the lives and livelihood of millions of people based on the river system,” Oli said.

Nepal has previously announced a goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2045, five years ahead of the global target. Oli credited their confidence in achieving this goal to the country’s strength in natural resources, low carbon dioxide emissions, and green energy sources.

“We have potential in the field of hydrogen, in the field of hydropower” Oli said.

In addition to combatting the climate crisis, as one of the world’s youngest democracies, Oli discussed how Nepal will continue to fight for transitional justice after the country’s decade-long civil war between the government and the Communist Party of Nepal.

Oli said Nepal’s two political parties, the Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal, “have long struggled for the cause of democracy, prosperity, and sovereignty.”

“There are responsible and reliable political parties in Nepal to lead the nation,” he added.

—Staff writer Meghna Mitra can be reached at meghna.mitra@thecrimson.com.