UplandUpland--lowland Interrelationship, lowland Interrelationship, Vulnerability and AdaptationVulnerability and Adaptation

UNFCCC Asian Regional Workshop onUNFCCC Asian Regional Workshop onAdaptationAdaptation1111--13 April 200713 April 2007

Beijing, People's Republic of ChinaBeijing, People's Republic of China

Purushottam GhimirePurushottam GhimireUnderUnder--SecretarySecretary

Government of NepalGovernment of NepalMinistry of Environment, Science and TechnologyMinistry of Environment, Science and Technology

KathmanduKathmandu

NepalNepal

Nepal in BriefNepal in Brief• Total Area 147181 Sq Km • Population 23.2 Million• Rural population 88%• Urban 12%• Geographical Division Land Population

Himalayan region 35% 7.45%Hills and Mountain 42% 44.46%Low land Terai 23% 47.49%

Initiatives on AdaptationInitiatives on Adaptation

• Inventory of GHGs for energy sector based conducted in October 1994 focused on climate change vulnerability and adaptation assessment of the agriculture sector

• First Initial National Communication (INC) Report, 2004 included adaptation strategies in different sectors

• Agriculture Sector - Resource conservation, development of genetically adaptive varieties, encouragement to crop diversification, promotion of organic-based farming, development of early warning system, agro-forestry and forage development, biogas development and promotion etc.

First INC Report …First INC Report …• Water Resources – efficient management of

water supply infrastructures, establishment of additional hydrological forecasting system, strengthening of watershed management programs, introduction of less water intensive crops etc.

• Biodiversity – extensive plantation, promotion of agro-forestry, promotion of natural regeneration etc.

• Health – promotion of sanitation and health education, research and development etc.

WorkshopsWorkshops

• Recent workshops focus on mitigation, adaptation to climate change and variability

• A workshop on adaptation to climate change organized on 17 January 2007 to identify priorities and opportunities and key points were raised on:Clearer signals of climate change in the Himalayas, and impacts on the hills and the TeraiSignificant impacts on human health and cropsNeed for wider awareness and stronger involvement of stakeholders in policy formulationNeed for generating more scientific informationNeed for involvement in NCSA and NAPA formulation …

Observed Impacts of Climate ChangeObserved Impacts of Climate ChangeTsho RolpaTsho Rolpa Glacier Lake ExpansionGlacier Lake Expansion

Lake Development

Ice melting is a function of temperature increase

An early warning system established at Tsho Rolpa and relay station at Bhotekoshi area

Early warning system planned for Imja lake

Observed Impacts of Climate ChangeObserved Impacts of Climate Change

• Water deficit – imbalance between discharge and recharge

• Agriculture/land use– irrigated terraces turned into rain-fed land

• Production, food security…• Extreme weather events (frequency) and disasters• Traditional crops varieties/breeds New and exotic crops• Climate refugees – 8 households in Jugedi watershed.

How much in Nepal?• Loss of skills (loss of livelihood strategies) • Deepening the vicious circle of poverty• Added pressure on natural resources

Peoples' Approach and NeedsPeoples' Approach and Needs

• Adaptation measures differ with context• Community make responses to events although

they do not know the broader causes – storing double qty of rice seeds

• Scientific community has yet to explore how people are coping with impacts

• Communities have yet to know what will happen in future as awareness is low and need to prepare them to the changing climate

• Awareness and understanding of climate change impacts at community level need expansion

• It may irritate audience if we talk only about global issues with the community!

NCSA under ImplementationNCSA under Implementation

National Capacity Self Assessment Project• Objective - identify national priorities and needs

for capacity building on UNFCCC, UNCCD and CBDSpecific objectives• Identify and review priority areas for actions within

thematic areas of biodiversity, climate change and desertification/land degradation;

• Explore related capacity needs within and across the three thematic areas

• Catalyze targeted and coordinated action and explore future funding and assistance; and

• Link country actions to broader national environmental management and SD framework.

• Project initiated with UNDP/GEF assistance

National Adaptation Plan of National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA)Action (NAPA)

Specific objectives• Assess vulnerability to climate change on socio-

economic conditions, economic prosperity, and ecosystem health including biodiversity and natural resources;

• Identify existing coping strategies• Identify key climate change adaptation actions

including capacity development needs; and• Link climate change actions to broader national

environmental management and SD framework.NAPA process will:• create and enhance awareness of CC issues;• identify linkages between environmental

management issues and capacity building efforts;• enhance capacity of stakeholders; and • identify and improve the role of partners. • Proposal sent for UNDP/GEF assistance

Other Initiatives …Other Initiatives …

• Climate change policy under formulation process• Drafting of climate change policy in process, January

2007 • Formation of 23-member Climate Change Network

(CCN) under the chairmanship of the Secretary, MoEST with representation from government, inter-governmental, NGOs, academia and private sector, March 2007

• Collection of works undertaken by organizations on climate change in progress

• Focus on knowledge development works• District level water induced disasters hazard

Mapping in progress• Rainwater harvesting to increase water availability • Drip irrigation to increase irrigation efficiency

Some Planned ActivitiesSome Planned Activities

Taking stocks, MoEST is planning to:• Conduct studies on impacts of climate change and

adaptation measures• Organise consultation program/workshop on

UNFCCC and KP provisions• Network stakeholders and building capacity• Promote activities undertaken by partners• Prepare fact sheets on conventions including

UNFCCC and future course of actions• Strengthen DNA and promote CDM activities • Launch public awareness activities etc.

with partnership approach