Ideating at IIDS - Episode 3
1. Event Overview
- Title of Event: Ideating @ IIDS
- Date & Time: 30th August 2024, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
- Location: MMS Hall, IIDS
- Organizer: IIDS
- Participants: All IIDS members, Ms. Isabella Koziell (Deputy Director General, ICIMOD), Moderated by Mr. Akhilesh Upadhyay (Senior IIDS Fellow)
- Number of Attendees: 40
Objective/Purpose:
The event aimed to create a dynamic platform for meaningful dialogue on strategic affairs, diplomacy, and professional fields, encouraging thought-provoking conversations. It also sought to foster a deeper understanding of international relations and policymaking by providing a space for discussion to explore the complexities and challenges, while bridging the gap between theory and practice in shaping policies and ideas in South Asian regions and beyond.
2. Agenda Highlights
Introduction:
Episode 3 of the Ideating IIDS series was a distinguished event that gathered experts and participants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. The session particularly focused on challenges related to climate change, biodiversity loss, and developmental issues in the Global South, with an emphasis on the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region. Key speakers included Dr. Biswash Gauchan (Executive Director, IIDS) and Ms. Isabella Koziell (Deputy Director General, ICIMOD), with moderation by Mr. Akhilesh Upadhyay (Senior Fellow, Centre for Strategic Affairs).
Main Sessions/Topics:
Session 1: Opening Remarks by Dr. Bishwash Gauchan
Dr. Biswash Gauchan, the Executive Director of IIDS, commenced the session by welcoming all attendees to the third episode of Ideating @ IIDS. He emphasized the significance of the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, noting its global importance due to its vast ice reserves, which impact over 1.5 billion people. Dr. Gauchan highlighted the unique position of ICIMOD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development) in Nepal, which plays a critical role in addressing the environmental challenges faced by the region.
He pointed out that the Himalayas, often referred to as the "Third Pole," are a natural heritage of the world, affecting river basins across Asia, including major rivers in China. He discussed the vulnerabilities of the region to climate change, mentioning that the Himalayas are highly susceptible to extreme weather events. Dr. Gauchan stressed that although countries like Nepal contribute minimally to global carbon emissions, they bear a disproportionate burden of the impacts of climate change.
Dr. Gauchan also touched on the importance of ICIMOD in advocating for the region at international levels, particularly in negotiations related to climate change and environmental protection. He noted the necessity of proportional mitigation efforts and the need for voices from developing countries to be heard on global platforms. He concluded by expressing his anticipation for the insights and experiences that Ms. Isabella Koziell, the Deputy Director General of ICIMOD, would bring to the discussion.
Session 2: Q&A with Ms. Isabella Koziell
Question: Experience in Nepal
Q: You've been here for three years, right? How has your Nepal experience been?
A: Isabella shared that her experience in Nepal has been special, highlighting the kindness, gentleness, and non-judgmental nature of the Nepali people. She also appreciates the trust and honesty she has observed, which she finds unique compared to other places she's lived, such as London. The beauty of the country and its people makes it a special place for her.
Question: Media Coverage of Climate Issues
Q: How do you look at media coverage of climate issues in the Hindu Kush region? Are you happy with the coverage, and what is the quality of coverage?
A: Isabella noted that media coverage often spikes during disasters but lacks sustained attention. She emphasized the need for balanced coverage that includes positive stories about solutions and innovations to prevent society from feeling overwhelmed and helpless. She also remarked on the lack of awareness and responsibility in the North for the climate issues affecting regions like the Himalayas.
Question: Coverage of Thami Glacial Lake Outburst Flood
Q: How was the Thami glacial lake outburst flood covered, and what is your take on it?
A: Isabella observed that the Thami flood was barely covered in the media, especially outside Nepal. While the disaster was significant, it did not receive the attention it deserved, reflecting the general trend of climate issues only gaining coverage during major disasters.
Question: Cross-Border Environmental Issues
Q: How do you think the cross-border implications of environmental issues can be better highlighted in public space?
A: She discussed the importance of regional collaboration, highlighting ICIMOD's efforts to bring together the eight countries of the Hindu Kush Himalaya region to address shared environmental challenges. She mentioned the concept of a regional mechanism or ministerial forum, similar to the Arctic Council, to tackle these issues collectively.
Question: Funding and Attention for the Himalayas
Q: Do the Himalayas get enough attention proportionate to the Arctic and Antarctic in terms of knowledge generation and funding?
A: Isabella confirmed that the Himalayas do not receive the attention or funding they deserve compared to the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The disparity in research funding is stark, with the Hindu Kush Himalaya region receiving significantly less, which she finds unjust given its global importance.
Question: Overcoming North-South Asymmetry in Climate Action
Q: How do we overcome the North-South asymmetry in tackling the climate crisis, especially with powerful nations like China and India involved?
A: Isabella emphasized the need for better communication of science to policymakers and the public. She noted that the technical nature of climate science often creates a barrier to understanding and action. She also highlighted the cultural differences between countries and the challenge of balancing national priorities with global climate responsibilities.
Question: Cooperation on Data and Early Warning Systems
Q: Has there been enough cooperation in terms of data exchange and early warning systems, especially between countries in the region?
A: Isabella acknowledged that cooperation in this area is challenging due to geopolitical issues. However, ICIMOD is working on community-level exchanges and promoting open access to data to improve monitoring and early warning systems.
Question: Nature-Based Solutions and Community Engagement
Q: Can you talk about the exchange between ICIMOD and the communities in the HKH region regarding nature-based solutions?
A: Isabella explained that ICIMOD focuses on collaborative work with communities, not just data extraction. They engage in projects that involve community participation, such as nature-based disaster risk reduction and sustainable management of water resources like springs.
Question: Challenges in Communicating Science
Q: How does ICIMOD handle the challenge of communicating complex scientific research to policymakers and the public?
A: She admitted that communicating science effectively is challenging due to the complexity of the information and the need for it to be accessible to non-specialists. ICIMOD is investing in improving its communication strategies, including using social media and exploring innovative methods like virtual reality to make the science more relatable.
Question: Urban Planning and Climate Resilience
Q: How can we balance the need for infrastructure development with climate change considerations, especially in urban planning?
A: Isabella suggested that better urban planning is crucial for future resilience, particularly as people move into urban areas. She emphasized the need for sustainable development that integrates climate and environmental considerations, which is currently lacking in many projects.
Question: Urban Development vs. Climate Change
Q: How can the asymmetry between a country’s interest in economic development and climate change be addressed, particularly with the example of China’s infrastructure projects in developing countries?
A: Isabella noted the challenge of balancing rapid infrastructure development with environmental concerns, particularly when such projects come with few environmental conditions. The discussion focused on the need for sustainable development practices that integrate climate considerations into economic projects.
3. Key Takeaways
Main Outcomes:
- Significance of the Himalayas: The Himalayas are a natural heritage of global importance, directly affecting over 1.5 billion people. The region's vast ice reserves are crucial for river basins, including major rivers in China.
- Climate Change Impact: The Himalayas are highly vulnerable to climate change, with significant impacts on weather conditions and extreme weather events. The rapid melting of glaciers and changing water sources pose serious risks to the region.
- Role of ICIMOD: ICIMOD plays a critical role in advocating for the region at international levels, particularly in climate change and environmental protection negotiations. Their efforts are essential in bridging the gap between developing countries in the Himalayas and global climate action discussions.
- Media Coverage and Public Awareness: There is a significant disparity in media coverage of climate issues, with a tendency to focus on disasters rather than sustained coverage of ongoing challenges. Balanced coverage that includes positive stories is needed to inspire further action.
- Trans-Boundary Environmental Challenges: Environmental issues in the Himalayas are trans-boundary, requiring collaborative solutions. ICIMOD is working towards establishing regional mechanisms to address these challenges collectively, despite the complex geopolitical landscape.
Notable Observations:
- Media and Public Engagement: The media tends to focus on disasters' immediate aftermath, while ongoing issues receive less attention. Public awareness is still low, highlighting the need for more effective communication strategies.
- Global Funding Disparities: The Hindu Kush Himalaya region receives significantly less research funding compared to the Arctic and Antarctic regions, hindering effective climate action and research.
- Geopolitical Complexities: Collaboration among countries in the region is challenging due to geopolitical tensions, but it is essential for addressing trans-boundary environmental issues.
Suggestions:
- Enhanced Communication of Science: There is a need to communicate scientific findings more effectively to policymakers and the public using simpler language and more relatable stories. Innovative approaches like virtual reality experiences could help bring the realities of climate change closer to a global audience.
- Focus on Positive Solutions: Media coverage should include stories of successful climate adaptation and mitigation efforts to inspire further action and prevent feelings of helplessness.
- Improved Regional Collaboration: Strengthening regional cooperation through initiatives like the proposed regional mechanism could help address trans-boundary challenges more effectively.
Remarks:
- Urgency of Action: The document highlights the urgent need for action to address climate change in the Himalayas, given the rapidly changing conditions and their global implications.
- Challenges of Policy Implementation: Implementing effective policies is challenging due to the complexities of balancing economic development with environmental sustainability.
Positive Intakes:
- Strong Community Engagement: ICIMOD’s approach of working closely with local communities, especially in disaster risk reduction and nature-based solutions, has shown positive results. There is potential for scaling these efforts to improve resilience across the region.
- Education and Awareness: Efforts to integrate environmental education into school curricula are gradually increasing, which is essential for long-term change.
Future Outlook:
- Continued Focus on Advocacy: ICIMOD will continue to push for global recognition of the importance of the Hindu Kush Himalaya region in climate discussions. There is a need to secure more research funding and international support for the region.
- Expansion of Regional Mechanisms: The development of a regional ministerial forum could be a significant step towards addressing trans-boundary environmental challenges collaboratively.
- Innovation in Communication: The organization aims to innovate in how it communicates the science of climate change, potentially through new media and technology like virtual reality.
4. Final Conclusion and Way Forward
The event concluded with a Q&A session where participants discussed various aspects of climate change and its impact on the HKH region. The conversation reinforced the importance of regional cooperation, the integration of indigenous knowledge, and the need for more effective communication and advocacy to address the pressing environmental challenges.
The session underscored the urgency of global action to support regions like the Hindu Kush Himalaya, which are disproportionately affected by climate change. The insights shared by Ms. Koziell and the other participants highlighted the critical role that organizations like ICIMOD play in driving climate action and promoting sustainable development in the region.
As the session wrapped up, there was a consensus on the need for continued dialogue, research, and collaboration to tackle the complex challenges posed by climate change in the HKH region. The event served as a reminder that while the challenges are significant, there are also opportunities for innovative solutions and collective action that can make a meaningful difference.
This event summary was prepared by Ms. Sneha Ghimire (Research Intern, IIDS), & Mr. Prajwal Thapa (Research Intern, IIDS)