Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 06/2011

Minding the Money: Governance of climate change adaptation finance in Nepal

Katie Wiseman, Raju Pandit Chhetri

May 2011

Oxfam Publishing

Abstract

Climate change is an urgent concern in Nepal. In recent years, the country has faced more than its fair share of extreme weather patterns. Increases in temperature extremes, more intense rainfall, drier winters and delays in summer monsoons have become quite common and are expected to get worse. In fact, a recent Climate Change Vulnerability Index, calculating susceptibility to impacts of climate change over the next 30 years, places Nepal 4th out of 170 countries. This report examines the national situation of climate change adaptation policy and programming, highlighting key areas of progress, weakness and challenges. The report notes that current initiatives have yet to deliver benefit to the marginalized and vulnerable communities in the country – the very groups that need it most. Based on the findings, the report presents a set of recommendations for the Government, donor community and civil society.