Climate Change is the biggest threat of the century to the humankind. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2018 warns that if the temperature rise is not contained to 1.5 degree above pre-industrial levels the risk of impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, including species loss and extinction will be higher along with risk to livelihoods, food security and economic growth.
Himalayas are warming at a higher rate than global average threating existence of mountain communities and millions of people downstream. Global circulation model (GCM) projections indicate that the temperature in Nepal will increase between 0.5ºC and 2.0ºC, by the 2030s and between 3.0ºC and 6.3ºC by the 2090s. Current trends of increasing temperature and erratic precipitation increases frequency and magnitude of extreme weather events, uncertainty and complexity in the ecological, social, and economic systems. Majority of the people in Nepal depend on agriculture, forest and the services provided by these ecosystems which have been impacted by climate change. This has serious implications for local livelihood as well as the national economy. The Ministry of Population and Environment in 2016 estimated that the direct cost of current climate variability and extreme events is equivalent to USD 270-360 million/year. Among the very few examples of climate victims in Nepal, certain indigenous communities of Mustang in Annapurna Conservation Area are already on the verge of becoming climate refugees.
NTNC’s interventions focus on the most vulnerable communities and ecosystems. NTNC pursues to better apprehend climate change, particularly in terms of its impact on people, nature and economy. It works with communities to plan and implement actions for adaptation at grass-root level with focus on nature based solutions, and with multi-stakeholders for climate literacy and effective climate governance.
Over the last three decades, climate change adaptation and mitigation have formed a significant part of NTNC’s investments. Some of the major initiatives of NTNC are development and implementation of climate smart protected area management plan, formulation and implementation of Local Adaptation Plan of Actions (LAPAs), promotion of Clean Energy Technologies (micro-hydropower, solar, improved cooking devices) along with emission reduction activities (plantation, sustainable forest management and rangeland management); Ecosystem Service Enhancement (Biodiversity, Water and Food Security, NTFPs), promotion of alternative livelihood options; documentation of the indigenous and traditional knowledge; building climate awareness and capacity for disaster risk reduction.
NTNC has been significant in the initiation of climate dialogues, readiness for REDD+ and has been a valuable stakeholder in framing National Adaptation Plan. As such it has contributed to National Climate Change Policy (2011), National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management (2009), National Adaptation Programme of Action (2010), Cancun Adaptation Framework 2010 and the Paris Agreement (2015).
Some Facts
| Highest ever cabinet meeting of ministers of Nepal was held on Kalapathar at the base of Mount Everest to highlight the threat of climate change to the Himalayas. | NTNC has supported in implementation of over 35 LAPAs in some of the most climate change vulnerable areas in Annapurna, Manaslu and Gaurishankar region. |
| NTNC is the first organization in Nepal to formulate and implement climate smart protected area management plan in Manaslu Conservation Area. | 30% of Snow leopard habitat in Nepal is expected to be lost in the near future due to climate change (Forest et al. 2012). |
