Green Gossip, a talk programme on climate issues, brought together climate activists, civil groups, development partners and the private sector to share their experiences of working for climate action

This year, UNDP’s Accelerator Lab hosted the Global Goals Week in Nepal to engage people in initiating climate action  and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGSs). As part of the Social Good Summit, as well as the fourth anniversary celebrations of the SDGs, a talk programme titled Green Gossip was organized on 25 September, where local climate activists, the private sector, civil groups and development partners shared their experiences of working for the environment.

The programme aimed to raise awareness on the initiatives that individuals and the private sector have been taking to tackle the adverse effects of climate change in Nepal. Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labe, Resident Representative, UNDP, stated that there is an urgency to accelerate sustainable living practices with 2030 getting closer. “If we want to achieve the SDGs, we need all hands-on deck, including the private sector,” she said. Labe further added that there was a positive interest from the private sector to explore the social side of business, and this was the school of thought that had to be adopted.

The discussion programme hosted social entrepreneurs like Suman Shakya, whose rain-water harvesting service has the capacity to save households and organizations 100,000 litres of water annually.

The event also hosted climate activist, Shreya KC, from the Nepalese Youth for Climate Action (NYCA), who spoke on the importance of youth participation in raising awareness about climate change.

Miss Nepal Earth 2018, Priya Sigdel, stated that it was not lack of education that led to climate change, but the absence of civic sense and the inability to take action. “If you and I can make small alterations in our everyday choices, then our collective impact will bring about the required changes,” she said.

To further the dialogue on climate change, the event also hosted a discussion session by Debate Network Nepal on the motion: “Environmental advocacy groups should prioritize lobbying governments to change environmental policies rather than convincing individuals to take responsibility for their contributions to environmental damage.”

Bernardo Cocco, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP, declared that the Global Goals Week was a reminder for all stakeholders to stop and take stock of their mission to achieve the SDGs. “We need to constantly keep our eyes and ears open to the changes around us, be it climate, technology or governance,” he said.

In 2015, 193 Member States of the United Nations came together and made a universal promise to “Leave No One Behind.” UNDP and the United Nations Foundation collaborated to honour that promise, launching the Global Goals Week. All countries across the globe, including Nepal adopted the Sustainable Development Goals on 25 September 2015 at the United Nations General Assembly, presenting a universal framework for development to be achieved in 15 years, from 2015 to 2030.