Ample space given to renewable energy, climate action
The Nepal Weekly 
May 6, 2025
President Ram Chandra Paudel on Friday addressed the joint session of the Federal Parliament, presenting the government’s policy and programme for the upcoming fiscal year.
The joint sitting of the House of Representatives and National Assembly at the Parliament Building in New Baneshwor, Kathmandu.
The President’s address, as per the Article 95 of the Constitution of Nepal, outlined the government’s strategic focus on reviving public optimism, especially among youth, by emphasizing entrepreneurship, skill development, startup promotion, and good governance. The policy framework also aims to stimulate government spending in priority sectors.
The Federal Parliament Secretariat, discussions on the proposed policy and programme will conduct from May 5 – 11. After that it will be endorsed by the Parliament.
Following this, deliberations on the principles and priorities of the annual Appropriation Bill – a preliminary stage of the budget process known as the pre-budget discussion – are scheduled to begin on May 13.
As per the constitutional provision, Finance Minister will table the full budget for the upcoming fiscal year on May 29. The government expects the policy announcement will build public confidence amid economic challenges and mark the beginning of a more accountable and growth-oriented fiscal cycle. In the announcement, President Paudel mentioned that all citizens will have access to modern and renewable energy as part of the whole text. He said legal, institutional and procedural reforms would be carried out to implement the Energy Development Roadmap 2081 BS. In addition, solar, wind and hydrogen energy will be developed as alternative sources of renewable energy.
Appropriate financial model will be adopted for the development of multi-purpose and reservoir hydropower projects to meet the demand for power supply and maintain energy security even during the dry season. In collaboration with the three tiers of governments, electricity supply will be expanded through up-grade solar, wind power, micro and mini hydropower plants and minigrids in areas where national grid may not be extended.
National and international high capacity transmission lines will be expanded with the participation of the private sector.
President Paudel said that the government is set to chart out a plan of action to replace fossil fuel with clean and renewable energy to attain the net zero carbon emission target by 2045.
The government will prepare an action plan with a goal to execute the commitments made before the international community.
The national policy and action plan for mitigation and adaptation of climate change and disaster risk reduction is to be implemented, according to the government’s policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year.
The government plans to organize an international dialogue programme on ‘Climate change, the future of mountains and mankind’ to draw the world’s attention to the risks posed by the climate crisis in the least developed and mountainous countries, to create sensitivity, to build networks of stakeholders and to mobilize climate finance result-oriented.
Similarly, the government plans to achieve resilience by increasing adaptive capacity by reducing the negative impacts of climate change, keeping the high mountainous region and river system alive and addressing the effects of climate change in the mountains, hills and Terai regions in an integrated and balanced manner.
The ‘President Climate Change Management Programme’ is to be implemented to conserve the Chure region.
The government’s programme includes expanding use of the international funds related to climate and establishing rights over such funds. The government’s policies and programmes include intensive advocacy in international fora for access and unconditional access to climate finance and diplomatic initiatives to receive financial assistance from the international funds under loss and damage due to climate change.
The government has committed to tackling climate change challenges with a comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability. A key element of this effort is the Sagarmatha Sambaad, an initiative aimed to foster international collaboration on climate-related issues. This dialogue will bring together global experts, policymakers, and activists to discuss solutions to pressing environmental concerns, particularly in the context of the Himalayan region.
On the environmental front, Euro 6 emission standards will be introduced for vehicles to curb air pollution. Watershed management, land restoration, and improved human-wildlife conflict response through insurance-based relief will be prioritized.
The government will also focus on sustainable land management, including measures for watershed management and land restoration, to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Efforts will be made to strengthen environmental policies and integrate climate change adaptation strategies into national development plans.
Furthermore, the government is prioritizing solutions to human-wildlife conflicts, including the introduction of insurance-based relief systems to support affected communities and protect biodiversity. Through these steps, the government aims to reduce Nepal’s environmental footprint while promoting long-term sustainability and resilience to climate change. (R. P. Narayan)
