Introduction
Nepal contributes just 0.042% to global carbon emissions but is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its diverse geography and economy. From melting Himalayan glaciers to floods and droughts in the plains, the impacts are severe, with Bagmati Province alone reporting NPR 11 billion in infrastructure damage from recent floods. Achieving NetZero by 2045 (NetZero45) offers Nepal a chance to mitigate these risks while gaining economic benefits. The Himalayan NetZero initiative aims to position Nepal as a climate leader by mobilizing green finance, trading carbon credits, and investing in sustainable development.
Project Description
Achieving NetZero by 2045 is not just an environmental goal for Nepal—it presents a vital economic opportunity. By embracing climate leadership, Nepal can mobilize international climate finance, secure investments, and strengthen its economic resilience. Like Bhutan, Nepal can position itself as a climate pioneer among smaller nations, gaining global recognition and leveraging international resources. Protecting Nepal’s ecosystems, especially its fragile Himalayan landscape, is key to sustaining biodiversity and supporting critical sectors like tourism, hydropower, and agriculture. Himalayan NetZero is a pathway to sustainable economic growth, climate resilience, and global leadership for Nepal.
Objectives
- Objective 1: Identify sector- and source-wise greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Nepal to establish a baseline for targeted interventions.
- Output: Comprehensive GHG inventory across sectors (energy, transport, agriculture, forestry, etc.) to identify mitigation needs.
- Impact: Enhanced understanding of emission sources, enabling effective intervention prioritization and optimized carbon trading strategies to achieve NetZero by 2045.
- Objective 2: Generate evidence through comparative analysis of policies that balance sustainability and economic growth, highlight greenwashing policy practices, and define NetZero in Nepal’s context.
- Output: Comprehensive report detailing global best practices, analysis of greenwashing, and a tailored NetZero definition for Nepal.
- Impact: Informed policy recommendations that promote genuine sustainability and clarity on achieving NetZero, maximizing environmental and economic benefits.
- Objective 3: Position Nepal as a climate leader in global policy dialogues by highlighting its vulnerabilities and advocating for green finance in sustainable projects.
- Output: Mobilization of green finance and climate investments through active participation in global forums, showcasing Nepal’s carbon trading potential.
- Impact: Increased investments in renewable energy, reforestation, and sustainable infrastructure, fostering economic growth and resilience while addressing climate challenges.
Implementation and Management
The initiative will be led by a core team at the Center for Sustainability, tasked with developing a comprehensive GHG inventory across key sectors to identify emission sources and intervention areas. The team will also run public campaigns to promote a clear, context-specific definition of NetZero for Nepal, based on the evidence generated. These efforts will include creating infographics, evidence-based advocacy materials, and short video reels featuring expert insights on what NetZero means for Nepal. Additionally, the initiative will align with MOTH (Movie on the House), an IIDS program that screens films to raise awareness, by showcasing films that highlight the vulnerabilities of the Himalayas and the impact of climate change.
Conclusion
Himalayan NetZero is more than a climate goal for Nepal—it is a strategic pathway to economic development and global leadership in sustainability. Through a bold vision and focused actions, Nepal can turn its climate vulnerabilities into opportunities, safeguarding both its natural heritage and its future prosperity.