At COP29, Nepal unveils two GEF-funded projects for climate resilience, transparency 

KATHMANDU: At the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) held in Baku, Nepal unveiled two significant projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to build community resilience to climate change and enhance national transparency in climate action.

The launch event, organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) and GEF, was attended by key stakeholders, including representatives from GEF, Nepal’s Ministry of Finance (MoF), and MoFE’s Climate Change Management Division, as well as international participants.

The two projects, titled 'Managing Watersheds for Enhanced Resilience of Communities to Climate Change in Nepal (MaWRiN)' and 'Building National Capacities of Nepal to Meet Requirements of the Enhanced Transparency Framework of the Paris Agreement (CBIT)', represent a vital step forward in Nepal’s climate action strategy. MaWRiN, with a funding allocation of $9 million, focuses on improving the climate resilience of Indigenous people and local communities in the Marin watershed through nature-based solutions and diversified livelihoods. The CBIT project, backed by $1.65 million, is dedicated to strengthening national institutions and capabilities to meet the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) requirements of the Paris Agreement, enabling Nepal to track progress against the priority actions set forth in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

In his opening remarks, Sindhu Prasad Dhungana, Head of the Climate Change Management Division at MoFE, provided an overview of the projects. He emphasised their crucial role in helping Nepal fulfil its climate commitments on the global stage.

Representing the GEF, Esteban Bermudez underscored the importance of these projects in ensuring Nepal submits its first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) on schedule, in alignment with the Paris Agreement. While acknowledging some initial procedural delays, he commended the ownership shown by the involved ministries and affirmed GEF’s ongoing support for Nepal’s climate objectives.

From the project implementation side, Rajan Thapa, National Project Manager for CBIT, highlighted WWF’s continued dedication to reporting climate change mitigation efforts in Nepal. He committed that WWF would showcase tangible project outcomes at COP30 next year, reflecting Nepal’s progress in climate reporting and resilience.

MoF Joint Secretary Dhaniram Sharma praised the CBIT project’s role in enhancing transparency and accountability in Nepal’s climate action. He also stressed the importance of the MaWRiN project, which aims to improve climate resilience by managing watersheds and promoting sustainable, community-centred environmental strategies. He noted that while Nepal has received climate financing, more robust support is needed to meet the increasing vulnerability and impact of climate change.

Secretary of MoFE, Deepak Kumar Kharal, concluded the event by extending his best wishes for the successful implementation of both projects. He reiterated the MoFE’s commitment to supporting WWF Nepal in carrying out these projects and voiced optimism for greater financial support to mitigate the impacts of climate change in Nepal.

About the Projects

The MaWRiN Project seeks to boost the resilience of local communities and Indigenous people by using nature-based solutions and encouraging livelihood diversification in the Marin watershed. The CBIT Project focuses on building Nepal’s institutional capacity to report climate action under the ETF requirements of the Paris Agreement, paving the way for accurate tracking and enhanced transparency in Nepal’s climate progress.

This collaborative effort between GEF, MoFE, and WWF Nepal demonstrates Nepal’s dedication to both mitigating the impacts of climate change on its communities and meeting international climate commitments.

READ ALSO:

• WWF Nepal, MoFE launch project to enhance climate transparency
• WWF Nepal celebrates 31st anniversary, honours partners in sustainability
• WWF Nepal calls for applications for WWF Memorial Scholarships 2023/24
• Leading for Conservation Impact - Dr. Ghana Shyam Gurung, Country Representative, WWF Nepal