Kathmandu – In a major step toward climate justice, the official report from the Summiteers’ Summit: A Dialogue for Climate Justice, held in Thame, Solukhumbu, was formally submitted to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
The summit,Recognized as an official pre-event to the Sagarmatha Sambaad, the summit spotlighted the urgent climate crises confronting the Khumbu region and the wider Himalayan ecosystem.
The Prime Minister, while reviewing the findings from the Thame Climate Conference, pledged to address the concerns of climate change in Thame and Solukhumbu at the international Sagarmatha Sambaad. He highlighted the need for direct engagement with affected communities to formulate effective solutions for pressing environmental issues.
The Thame Conference, organized by the SathSathai Foundation, was conducted in collaboration with multiple tiers of government and saw participation from distinguished Everest climbers, policymakers, and global climate experts. Among the notable figures were Princess Ashma Al Thami of Qatar, Defense Minister Manbir Rai, and Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi.
During the summit, participants discussed the deteriorating condition of Mount Everest due to declining snowfall, the vulnerabilities of mountain communities, and the long-term impacts of climate change. The event culminated in a five-point declaration emphasizing immediate action and climate justice.
Key Highlights of the Declaration
The declaration outlined five priority actions to tackle environmental challenges in the Khumbu region:
- Mount Everest’s Changing Landscape– The rapid reduction in snowfall is altering Everest’s terrain, prompting urgent calls for climate action.
- Integration with Sagarmatha Sambaad– The summit’s recommendations will be incorporated into broader discussions at Sagarmatha Sambaad, with appreciation extended to the Government of Nepal.
- Voices of Climbers– Mountaineers shared firsthand experiences of worsening conditions and committed to supporting climate awareness initiatives.
- Commitment to Climate Justice– The summit emphasized the vulnerabilities of mountain communities and pledged advocacy at national and global levels for just, sustainable solutions.
- Call for Rehabilitation of Thame Flood Victims– Following the August 2024 glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in Thame, a unified effort was proposed for resettlement and rehabilitation of affected individuals.
Speaking at the report submission, Chair Prajeeta Karki of SathSathai Foundation commended the Prime Minister for recognizing the importance of grassroots climate advocacy. She reiterated that addressing climate challenges requires solutions beyond policy dialogues, emphasizing that real change begins within communities.
With the Sagarmatha Dialogue approaching, momentum continues to build toward meaningful action. The integration of the Summiteers’ Summit’s findings into international discussions raises hopes that Nepal’s mountain regions will receive the urgent attention they deserve.
