At a time when Nepal has been suffering the worst due to climate change for quite a while, the 45th meeting of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board has approved a financial proposal of 1.29 billion rupees for climate resilience initiatives in Nepal.
The GCF Board endorsed the financial proposal focused on climate resilience of forest-dependent communities through livelihood opportunities and local capacity building in Karnali Province of Nepal. The document was advanced on Wednesday.
The assistance has been welcomed as a milestone in Nepal's climate finance journey. The project was initially developed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), a Nepali agency having direct access to GCF, under a simplified approval procedure.
The four-year initiative underscores the strengthening of ecosystem resilience, climate-resilient livelihoods and institutional capacity in Karnali Province, one of the most vulnerable provinces to climate change in Nepal. The province features fragile mountain ecosystems, difficult terrain, high poverty rates, and increasing vulnerability to climate-related disasters like landslides, floods and prolonged droughts.
The project is expected to contribute directly to the enforcement of the National Adaptation Plan (2021-2050), the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), and other national climate actions. Local levels' climate initiatives would be given impetus by the project.
Over 100,000 people would be benefited through ecological restoration, nature-based solutions, climate-resilient livelihood opportunities, community-based early warning systems and capacity building of local institutions. Meaningful participation and equitable benefits to women, indigenous people, Dalits and other marginalized and climate-vulnerable communities are given special focus for the project.
It aims at enhancing climate resilience of more than 400 thousand people from Karnali Province. Partnership model will be adopted for executing the project, thereby taking onboard national, provincial, and local institutions. NTNC, as a GCF accredited body, will act as the coordinating body.
The Finance Ministry will channel the GCF resources and the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment of Karnali Province lead the implementation of the provincial-level intervention and coordinate project activities.
Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Environment and NTNC Chairperson Gita Chaudhary described the Board's approval as a significant achievement for Nepal's climate resilience drive. "This approval is also a reflection of Nepal's untiring commitment to realizing national climate policy into practical action and reaching the most climate-vulnerable communities," she observed, adding that the assistance helps Nepal advance its commitments under the Paris Agreement, thereby reinforcing resilient ecosystems, improving sustainable livelihoods and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Head of the International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division under the Ministry of Finance and National Designated Authority (NDA) Focal Point for the GCF, Dhaniram Sharma, congratulated NTNC, viewing that it suggests Nepal's increasing institutional capacity in accessing and managing international climate finance.
Moreover, NTNC Member-Secretary Dr Chiranjivi Prasad Pokharel said he was excited to work with government bodies and local communities to provide nature-based long-term climate resilience and work on international climate finance.
The project was developed after extensive consultation and evidence-based process with sub-national government and stakeholders like community forest user groups, women's groups, indigenous people, technical experts and other stakeholders in Jajarkot, Jumla, Dolpa and Dailekh districts.
.
