Ministry of Forest and Environment pledges to integrate youths recommendations into NDC 3.0

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Feb 25: The Ministry of Forest and Environment, has pledged to integrate youth-led recommendations into the draft report of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), reinforcing the role of young people in national climate policy.

Following a public notice issued on February 1, 2026, calling for feedback on the draft NDC 3.0, the Youth in Climate Governance Network (YCGN), formed on 29th January,2026 under the Government of Nepal, National Youth Council, submitted a comprehensive set of recommendations. These inputs were based on consultations around the National Implementation Plan for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.

The recommendations were developed during a consultation workshop organized by YCGN, NYC in coordination with Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal (Jcycn). As Jcycn is working for youth and climate change agendas from more than a decade in collaboration with NYC, UNDP, UNICEF and British Council held on February 8 at the National Youth Council in Sanothimi Bhaktapur. The workshop brought together 51 youth stakeholders all over the Nation.

The session was chaired by Gehanath Gautam, Chief Administrative Officer at the National Youth Council. Bishnu Hari Devkota, Under Secretary - Ministry of Forest and Environment and Rassu Manandhar, Program Officer of UNDP moderated the discussions. Rita Thapa, Coordinator of YCGN and Jcycn outlined the objectives of the workshop, while Tilottam Paudel, Chairperson of Jcycn facilitated the session.

Major recommendations included promoting forest conservation to reduce carbon emissions, strengthening youth engagement in agricultural advancement, establishing carbon-neutral industries, and developing youth-friendly climate policies.

A total of 60-point recommendations were formally submitted on February 21 by a YCGN and Jcycn delegation to Minister for Ministry of Forests and Environment Madhav Prasad Chaulagain and Dr. Maheshwar Dhakal, spokesperson of the Ministry and division chief at the Climate Change Management Division of the ministry. The Ministry stated that the draft implementation plan was prepared through consultations across all provinces and is aligned with both quantitative and qualitative targets outlined in Nepal’s NDC 3.0.

The National Implementation Plan for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation (2026–2035) estimates a total investment requirement of approximately USD 115 billion over ten years. The funding will support initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing climate resilience across sectors.

Minister Chaulagain and Joint Secretary Dhakal expressed their commitment to incorporating youth voices and prioritizing youth-led agendas in the final report of NDC 3.0.