Climate change has emerged as one of the most important issues facing the humanity in the 21st century. Many regions, communities, ecosystems and industries are vulnerable to the climate change impacts, which include a shift of general climatic conditions, increased risk of natural disasters and a high level of uncertainty about the future climate.

Climate Action is an integral part of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda that stresses that climate change “adverse impacts undermine the ability of all countries to achieve sustainable development. 

Central Asia’s semi-arid and arid climate will likely experience further aridification, affecting food production and availability of water resources. In the last fifty years, glaciers in Central Asia are estimated to have receded by 25% and equal amount is expected to disappear in the next 20 years. 

There is a concern that water shortages may prove to be the main impediment to the development of Central Asian countries both under current conditions (around 50% of water used for irrigation is lost to inefficient irrigation technologies) and in the future (increasingly due to decreasing availability of snowpack and glaciers).

As temperatures rise across South Asia, climate and disaster risks in Nepal are expected to increase further, affecting people, the economy, the environment, and development gains. Nepal’s temperature is projected to increase by about 0.9 C between 2016 and 2045 under a medium-range emissions pathway. Winters are projected to be drier and monsoon summers wetter, with up to a threefold increase in rainfall. The number of people in Nepal annually affected by river flooding caused by climate change could double to around 350,000 in 2030 (from 157,000 in 2010).

While Nepal has low per capita emissions and is a negligible contributor to global climate change, agricultural and energy-related emissions are also a key source of air pollution, with major negative economic implications. Emissions come primarily from agriculture (54 percent) and energy (28 percent. Between 2012 and 2019, Nepal’s emissions increased by 26.9 percent, primarily due to growing energy consumption in energy and industry, which accounted for 28.3 percent and 7.4 percent of Nepal’s GHG emissions in 2019. Biomass, transport, open burning, and industrial activities also contribute significantly to air pollution, with sizeable negative impacts on health and productivity.

Climate variability is impacting the Nepali economy through lower agricultural productivity, road damage, and high energy imports during the dry season, among other impacts. Floods and landslides have been the most frequent hazards over the past 40 years; these events are expected to increase as climate change accelerates. While southern and urban municipalities are more likely to experience flooding and heat stress, northern regions are affected by increased erosion, landslides, water stress, and glacial lake overflow. The most vulnerable communities often live in the most extreme environments that are subject to climate impacts and lack social protection programs. Women, indigenous people, and other marginalized communities are disproportionately affected.

Nepal has begun to put in place the necessary policy framework, such as the 2019 National Climate Change Policy, the 2022 Solid Waste Management Policy, the 2022 Forest Regulation, and the 2022 Land Use Regulation. However, implementation of this reform agenda and prioritization of investments is incipient. Moreover, enhanced prioritization and efficiency of public expenditure are required to maximize climate and development benefits.

This Country Climate and Development Report outlines four priority system transitions that are fundamental to addressing the risks that climate change poses to Nepal while also providing opportunities for improving the quality and sustainability of economic development: (a) improving systemic resilience of rural landscapes including food, freshwater, and forest systems to boost adaptation, livelihoods, and food security; (b) harnessing Nepal’s significant hydropower opportunities; (c) managing urbanization and environmental quality to build resilience and improve health; and (d) strengthening Nepal’s low-carbon, resilient connectivity — particularly roads — to improve the country’s growth and services. This report also outlines three key enabling themes to help support the priority system transitions toward a greener future for Nepal: strengthening the resilience of people and community assets through early warning systems, shock-responsive safety nets, and access to quality skills training; embedding disaster risk management at all tiers of government and across all sectors; and prioritizing Nepal’s funding needs by convening and coordinating financing for climate action.

Nepal’s supply chains, farmers, and urban dwellers are already facing devastating climate impacts such as landslides, droughts, and flooding. Without concerted steps to shore up resilience, future climate hazards will threaten the country’s long-term development.  Climate variability is already a major driver of food insecurity and poverty in Nepal, with increased flooding and heat stress seen in the southern regions, while the north experiences increased landslides, water stress, and glacial lake overflow.  The report states that Nepal’s GDP could be at least 7 percent smaller by 2050 due to unchecked climate impacts. 

As Nepal’s economy grows, it also needs to address its greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions. While the country is a negligible contributor to climate change – producing 0.1 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions – the country’s emission rate is growing rapidly. Nepal also has one of the highest levels of air pollution in the world, with emissions from transport, biomass burning, and industrial activities significantly impacting health and productivity.

“With increased evidence of more severe climate change impacts, Nepal stands at a critical juncture to embark on a path for recovery and growth that is more sustainable, more inclusive, and more resilient to future shocks,” said World Bank Vice President for South Asia Martin Raiser. “The good news is that the country’s notable successes in community forestry and hydropower investments are a strong foundation for future climate-smart growth.”

Nepal has pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2045 and to significantly scale up hydropower investment in the coming decade.  In 2021, Nepal adopted the Green, Resilient and Inclusive Development (GRID) approach as a national vision to guide long-term green growth and build resilience to climate and other shocks that are barriers to Nepal’s development ambitions. Under Nepal’s federal structure, the local governments are placed at the center of climate resilience and development efforts with extensive implementation responsibilities and play a crucial role in translating the GRID strategy into action.

To help Nepal achieve its development goals while implementing its climate commitments, the report proposes actions on two fronts: building resilience to climate impacts and pursuing public and private investments in low-carbon solutions, notably hydropower and its export. The report also highlights that women, indigenous people, and other marginalized groups are often excluded from mainstream development and suffer from cumulative and cascading impacts of climate change and disasters.

Our Pre-College Summer Programs will expand your knowledge and prepare you to understand, analyze, and apply cutting-edge research to the complex problem of our changing climate. These programs are for high-school students (Grades 9-12 and motivated rising 9th graders) who want to sharpen their knowledge and skills in the areas of climate change and sustainability. A group performs street dram near school areas targeting local people and students