Project Partners: Nepal Water Conservation Foundation (NWCF) & The Asia Foundation (TAF)
Duration: July-December, 2024
Project Description:
Nepal faces severe climate change impacts, particularly in the water sector, with cascading effects on drinking water, agriculture, hydropower, and disaster risk management. Changes in precipitation patterns—with 85% of annual rainfall during a wetter monsoon and prolonged dry periods—further stress community-managed water sources. Nepal’s climate policies highlight these challenges and emphasize reducing vulnerabilities, especially for marginalized populations.
The ADB Nepal Country Climate Risk Profile (2021) identifies key risks:
- Nepal's warming exceeds the global average, with temperature increases of 1.2°C–4.2°C projected by the 2080s under high emissions.
- Extremes in maximum and minimum temperatures will amplify impacts on health, livelihoods, and ecosystems, especially in winter.
- Climate change already affects species' habitats, accelerates glacier melt, and increases extreme precipitation events.
Nepal’s National Adaptation Plan (2021) estimates $47.4 billion is needed for adaptation measures through 2050, requiring $45.9 billion in external funding, underscoring an urgent need for resource mobilization.
In response, The Asia Foundation Nepal, with support from DFAT, is implementing the Subnational Governance Program (SNGP) Phase II. This phase aims to integrate climate change considerations into local governance policies and plans, enhancing resilience for vulnerable groups. SNGP focuses initially on Waling and Galyang Municipalities in Syangja District, identified as highly vulnerable due to climate-induced water challenges and frequent landslides. Key priorities include understanding the causes of drying water sources and developing local solutions to mitigate these issues.
Project Lead: Dr. Ngamindra Dahal
Team at NWCF: Dr. Ngamindra Dahal, Ms. Anu Dahal, Ms. Jwala Pandey, Ms. Devaki Kafle, Mr. Suman Prajapati