Baku — A Tibetan delegation from the Central Tibetan Administration highlighted the illegal construction of dams by the Chinese government without the consent of local Tibetans, in particular the dam project in Gege county, Tibet, and China's destruction of Tibetan rivers and Tibet's fragile ecosystem, at COP29, the global climate summit being held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Tibetan environmental researcher Dechen Palmo and Dhondup Wangmo of the Tibet Polict Institute, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), distributed a brochure entitled “Say No to the Dege Dam Project in Tibet: Protect the Drichu River, Community and Heritage from Destruction” to participants, government representatives and environmental organisations at COP29， on the first day of the UN climate summit, November 11, 2024.
The brochure outlines potential impacts of the dam on the Drichu River, which holds not only ecological significance but also cultural value for local communities in Tibet. They highlighted the potential ecological impacts of the Derge dam project, a hydroelectric initiative designed to alter the landscape of the Drichu river and affect the downstream communities that depend on its waters.
Dechen Palmo said, "Our goal is to build support for the protection of the Drichu River and to prevent irreversible damage to Tibet’s natural and cultural heritage."
Dhondup Wangmo said, "The Dege Dam project is not just a local issue; it is part of a broader pattern impacting regional water security and biodiversity. We are here to advocate for sustainable approaches that respect both Tibet’s unique environment and the people who depend on it."
Dechen Palmo and Dhondup Wangmo's programme at COP29 includes participation in government meetings, side events and visits to government offices and national pavilions. The delegates are focusing on raising awareness of Tibet's vulnerable ecosystem, highlighting the urgent need to address the impacts of hydropower development on the Tibetan plateau.
According to the Tibet Policy Institute, by participating in various discussions in different pavilions and government offices, the Tibetan delegation aims to foster international support for policies that protect Tibet's rivers and fragile ecosystem. With the Dege dam at the heart of their efforts, the delegates' presence at COP29 underlines Tibet's role as a vital source of water and a frontline region in the fight for climate resilience.
The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 29) or United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) began in Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 11, 2024. Around 100 national leaders met to discuss climate change and its impacts, as well as sustainable development in developing countries. COP29 will be held from November 11 to 22, 2024.
Addressing world leaders at COP29, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said,"the the climate crisis is fast becoming an economy-killer. Worsening climate impacts will put inflation on steroids unless every country can take bolder climate action. Let’s learn the lessons from the pandemic – when billions suffered because we didn’t take collective action fast enough. When supply chains were smashed. Let’s not make that mistake again. Climate finance is global inflation insurance. Rampant climate costs should be public enemy number one."
