Nepal, June 30 -- As the Himalayas melt, upsurging the frequency of floods downstream, Nepal finds itself on the frontlines of the global climate crisis, despite contributing merely 0.03 percent to the cause. Yet the country is stepping up as a climate leader, proving that moral leadership matters as much as material capacity. With the submission of its third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) under the Paris Agreement, Nepal has pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2045, five years ahead of the global target. While this commitment is bold and commendable, ambition alone is not sufficient. Translating climate goals into reality requires something deeper, like inclusive governance.

The impacts of climate change know no ...