KATHMANDU: Stakeholders emphasize the need for an effective mechanism to bolster Nepal’s access to international climate finance, citing a shortage of skilled human resources hindering the country’s utilization of over 1,300 global climate funds.

Dr. Raju Thapa, a governance and policy expert, highlighted challenges Nepal faces in accessing international climate funding, including limited accredited agencies and policy uncertainties.

He spoke at an event unveiling the “Status of Climate Finance in Nepal, 2024” report by the Environment and Engineering Research Center.

The report reveals Nepal’s receipt of climate finance totaling $13,454 million over a decade, with a surge in multilateral finance from $383.5 million in 2015 to $699.04 million in 2022.

However, challenges persist, such as low spending rates, coordination gaps, and limited grassroots awareness.

Hari Narayan Belbase, Programme Director at the National Planning Commission, underscored the need for dedicated government efforts, proposing a centralized unit under the Office of the Prime Minister to streamline climate finance coordination.

Prakash Adhikari, Undersecretary at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, emphasized the importance of addressing climate-induced disasters and exploring disaster insurance.

Provincial budget allocations varied, with Sudurpaschim showing improvement in highly climate-relevant budget allocation, while Bagmati saw a decline. Lumbini and Koshi provinces experienced fluctuations.

Looking ahead, Nepal aims to secure approximately $20 billion from 2023-2025 and $30 billion from 2026-2030 to address climate change challenges, building on initiatives initiated since signing the UNFCCC in 1992.

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