Minister for Population and Environment Lalbabu Pandit has pledged to implement policies and programmes aimed at mitigating negative impact of climate change and to protect environment.

“A special attention would be given to protect environment through the promotion of renewable energy and reduction of dependency on conventional means of energy and imported fuel,” Pandit said, while assuring a delegation the Renewable Energy Confederation of Nepal, an umbrella body of various organisations associated with renewable energy.

The delegation led by confederation’s chair Gunaraj Dhakal had called on Minister Pandit with suggestions for increasing people’s access to affordable and reliable energy by making amendments to the existing acts and laws and formulating new ones.

On the occasion, the delegation insisted on the operation of programmes for promoting micro hydropower project, solar power, solar thermal energy, biomass, use of improved ovens and wind energy technology to meet people’s rising demand for electricity.

In response, Minister Pandit said that combined efforts from the government, donor agencies and private sector were necessary to increase the people of all areas to energy though the implementation of alternative energy programmes.