Climate Crisis and Financial Challenges:
1. Global Climate Finance Gap
- At COP-29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2024, developed nations committed to providing developing countries with at least USD 300 billion annually in climate finance by 2035.
- However, it is estimated that developing nations require approximately USD 3 trillion annually to achieve their climate goals.
- This highlights a massive global gap between climate financing needs and available resources.
Key Climate Risks in Nepal
2. Nepal as a High Climate Risk Country
Nepal is considered one of the most highly sensitive countries in terms of climate risk.
Major Impacts:
- Floods
- Landslides
- Droughts
- Extreme weather events
- Glacier melting and retreating
Potential Consequences:
- Imbalances in river systems
- Adverse impacts on agricultural production
- Drinking water crisis
- Risks to hydropower generation
Very Important Statistics
3. 33 Districts at High Risk by 2050
- Currently, only 8 districts in Nepal are categorized under extremely high climate risk.
- However, according to a risk assessment report by the Ministry of Forests and Environment, it is projected that 33 districts could fall into the extremely high climate risk category by the year 2050.
4. Up to 10% Negative Impact on GDP
- Studies indicate that by the year 2100, climate change could cause up to a 10% negative impact on Nepal's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Climate Finance Statistics
5. Climate Finance Required by Nepal
National Adaptation Plan (NAP):
- Required investment by 2050: USD 47 billion
- Annual requirement: USD 2.1 billion
According to NDC 3.0:
- Funding required for mitigation by 2035: USD 74 billion
Overall Requirement:
- It is estimated that Nepal will require approximately USD 9.5 billion annually until 2035.
Current Financial Status
6. Climate Financing Gap in Nepal
Government Investment:
- Annual average (2013–2026 period): USD 0.65 billion
External Climate Finance:
- Annual average (2012–2020 period): USD 0.5 billion
Annual Financing Gap:
- Approximately USD 8.3 billion
Policy and Institutional Arrangements
7. Nepal's Major Climate Policies
The Government of Nepal has introduced and implemented several policy documents and mechanisms, including:
- National Adaptation Plan (NAP)
- Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)
- Long-Term Strategy (LTS)
- Climate Change Budget Code (CCBC) — implemented since 2012.
Facts Related to the 16th Plan
8. Provisions of the 16th Plan
- The 16th Plan mandates that at least 20% of the annual budget must be allocated to highly relevant climate-related activities.
Facts Related to LDC Graduation
9. Nepal's Graduation and Challenges
- Nepal is graduating from a Least Developed Country (LDC) to a Lower Middle-Income Country (LMIC) in 2026.
- Following this graduation:
- Concessional loans and grants may decrease.
- Access to international climate finance could become more complex.
- The need to mobilize internal resources will increase.
