Back to news
21 Jun 2017 | Atmosphere Initiative

ICIMOD Supports National Action Plan for SLCPs Mitigation in Nepal

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) organized a half-day stakeholder validation workshop on the national action plan for short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) mitigation on 26 May 2017. The workshop was organized in Kathmandu to share findings and receive policy feedback for further refinement and finalization of the national action plan for SLCPs mitigation in Nepal. SLCPs are climate enforcers that have a relatively short lifetime in the atmosphere and a warming influence on climate. They have detrimental impacts on human health, agriculture, and ecosystems.

2 mins Read

70% Complete
Study team leader Amrit Nakarmi, presenting the national action plan for SLCPs Mitigation in Nepal Photo: Jitendra Bajracharya/ICIMOD

As the issue if SLCPs is a recent one, Nepal does not have policies that specifically address it. The Atmosphere Initiative of ICIMOD supported its regional member countries in developing a national strategic action plan for mitigating emissions of SLCPs and their precursors from different sectors to reduce negative impacts on public health, food security, and climate change. Therefore, in 2015, ICIMOD commissioned a study on policy gap analysis with a focus on SLCPs in Nepal, covering existing policy and plans related to various sources of air pollution, across different sectors. On the basis of the number of policy gaps identified in existing policies and plans, a team of consultants, through consultations with relevant stakeholders, has prepared a national strategic action plan for SLCPs mitigation to support the Government of Nepal with the support of ICIMOD.

The action plan utilizes the standard analytical tool developed by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) under its Supporting National Action and Planning on SLCPs (SNAP) initiative. “It estimates, for the first time in Nepal, national level SLCPs emissions under a business as usual (BAU) scenario while evaluating the likely benefits of implementing SLCP mitigation measures on climate, health, and crop yield under different mitigation policy scenarios,” said Bikash Sharma, Senior Environmental Economist, ICIMOD.

“The major mitigation measures for SLCPs are readily available technologies and methods which, if implemented effectively, will have huge potential co-benefits in terms of avoiding premature death, avoiding crop loss, and reducing global warming,” said Amrit Nakarmi, the study team leader. This requires enabling governance mechanisms though the creation of a separate SLCP and Air Quality Management Section under the Environment Management Division at the Ministry of Population and Environment to formulate, implement, and monitor policies related to air pollution and SLCPs.

The action plan is expected to foster collaboration at the regional and national levels towards achieving the adoption of national and local policies and programmes. “We expect this will significantly improve air quality and protect public health and the environment while contributing to the mitigation of climate change, the enhancement of quality of life, and other co-benefits,” said Eklabya Sharma, Deputy Director General, ICIMOD.

The event was attended by relevant government officials, experts, and members of the Environment Protection Council, among others. Many gave policy feedback. During the event. Prabhu Budhathoki, member of the National Planning Commissions, Nepal, in his closing remarks stressed the timeliness of the study and assured his supportive role in the process of formalizing a pursuable, effective strategic action plan to mitigate emissions of priority SLCPs in the country.

Stay current

Stay up to date on what’s happening around the HKH with our most recent publications and find out how you can help by subscribing to our mailing list.

Sign Up

Related content

Continue exploring this topic

ICIMOD raises Mountain Agenda at the Global Solutions Summit

On the first day of the summit, ICIMOD hosted a panel session focused on challenges and solutions in the context ...

29 May 2017 Himalica
Cardamania: Cardamom Drinks Launched at ICIMOD Haat Bazaar

At the fair, the Brazilian Ambassador to Nepal Maria Teresa Mesquita Pêssoa visited the Himalica stall and tasted the cardamom ...

29 Mar 2016 Gender in Koshi
Mainstreaming Gender and Livelihoods into Water Management

Linking livelihoods and gender issues in the Koshi river basin can improve water resource management, was the key message of ...

5 Apr 2016 News
China and ICIMOD’s Growing Alliance

Strategic Cooperation between NSFC and ICIMOD The bilateral workshop ‘NSFC-ICIMOD Strategic Cooperation’ was held 31 March - 1 April following a ...

Strengthening Farmers’ Knowledge on “Animal Nutrition and Health Care for Improving Dairy Production” in the Kangchenjunga Landscape, India

From 16-18 November 2017, around 50 dairy farmers from Ribdi-Gorkhey, India, convened in Ribdi for a three-day hands-on training and ...

ICIMOD DG Inaugurates Nepal GIS Society Office Building

Krishna Poudel, the president of the society, chaired the programme. Welcoming guests to the programme, he highlighted the activities of ...

15 Sep 2016 News
Flood Mapping Made Easier in Bihar

Bihar, India’s most flood-prone state, is under constant threat of flooding. Every year, floods destroy lives, livestock, infrastructure and bring ...

A Commitment to Implement Water Use Master Plans in Saptari, Nepal

Participation of the private sector has opened up avenues for joint collaboration with local authorities for sustainable WUMP schemes and ...