The Government of Nepal has been actively involved to address the adverse impacts of climate change in the recent years. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MoSTE) - the focal point for climate change activities including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol - has initiated a number of climate change-related activities namely National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA), Strengthening Capacity for Managing Climate Change and the Environment, and Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR). MoE has also initiated the Second National Communication (SNC) and Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) Projects.

The Government constituted the Climate Change Network (CCN) in 2007 under the chairmanship of the Secretary of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment for stakeholders' coordination. Realising the on-going and emerging threats of climate change to Nepalese people, ecosystems and livelihoods, the Government has constituted, in July 2009, the Climate Change Council under the chairmanship of the Right Honourable Prime Minister for High level coordination on climate change and related matters. This 25-member Council provides, inter alia, guidance on policies and programmes.

Understanding the threats and adverse impacts of climate change, need for involvement of multi-stakeholders, and taking into consideration the experience of the Climate Change Network, the Government has constituted the Multi-sectoral Climate Change Initiatives Coordination Committee (MCCICC) which will serve as the key national platform for ensuring regular dialogue and consultations on climate change related policies, plans, finance, programmes/projects, and activities.

The Committee will, inter alia,:

1. establish and/or improve communication mechanism amongst institutions concerned with and working in the field of climate change;
2. coordinate climate change responses at programmatic level to foster synergy and avoid duplication of efforts, and optimize benefits from existing programs, and coordinate activities related to policies, plans, strategies, financing programmes and projects;
3. provide inputs for developing consensus on climate related issues under international climate change negotiation; and
4. provide inputs for financing in order to effectively implement, monitor and evaluate the adaptation actions including those identified in the NAPA (Nation Adaptation Programme of Action) process.

Composition of the Committee

• Secretary, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment        Chair
• NAPA Thematic Working Group Coordinators         Members

(Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry of Urban Development/Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, and Ministry of Home Affairs)

• Representative, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Minister     Member
• Representative, National Planning Commission    Member
• Representative, Ministry of Finance   Member
• National Project Directors of climate change-related projects from  MoSTE and other Ministries MembersRepresentatives, national and international NGOs involved in  Climate Change activities (2)    Members
• Representatives, academe (3)    Members
• Representatives, local governments (associations) (3)      Members
• Development partners (donors providing technical and financial resources, and implementing partners)    Members
• Joint-Secretary (Tech.) and Chief Climate Change Management Division     Member-Secretary

This Committee has provided a platform to discuss and share experiences, and develop synergy and avoid duplication of effort programmes in the field of climate change. The Climate Change Management Division functions as the Secretariat of this Committee.

22 January 2012