The consultation, organized by Clean Energy Nepal (CEN), aimed to strengthen strategies for urban resilience and policy advocacy in response to climate change. The event brought together experts, policymakers, civil society representatives, and municipal leaders to discuss challenges and propose solutions for building sustainable cities in Nepal. Prakash Lama, representing CEN, welcomed the participants and outlined the objectives of the program, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing urban challenges.

Bhusan Tuladhar highlighted the growing vulnerability of urban areas to climate change due to population growth and unsustainable development practices. He noted that urban areas contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Despite the challenges, solutions are within reach, and action must be taken. He shared insights from Nepal’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), including plans to reduce private vehicle use by 70% by 2035, focusing on addressing the dominance of two-wheelers in the country. Bhusan encouraged participants to raise their voices to implement these policies effectively, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts to reduce environmental impacts and ensure sustainable urban growth.

Depak emphasized the critical issue of water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change and poor urban planning. He highlighted the heavy dependence of Nepal’s cities on depleting groundwater reserves and linked rising temperatures and water scarcity to inadequate climate action. Drawing on examples like Kathmandu’s declining air quality and the devastating floods in Pakistan in 2022, he underscored the urgent need for stronger policy implementation. Although Nepal’s climate policies are well-designed, he noted a significant gap in their execution. He called for better planning and coordination to address these challenges.

Naresh Sharma, MoFE discussed the role of civil society in climate advocacy, emphasizing the importance of youth engagement and national workshops. He highlighted Nepal’s commitment to achieving zero carbon emissions and stressed the need for effective implementation strategies. He explained the concept of climate finance, dividing it into two categories: conditional finance, which supports green infrastructure projects like energy and transport systems, and unconditional finance, which provides broader support for climate actions. Naresh invited participants to share suggestions for strengthening the NDC framework and improving collaboration between government and civil society.

The Mayor of Dhulikhel, Ashok Kumar Byanju shared his city’s achievements in promoting sustainable urban development. He highlighted efforts to ensure access to drinking water, with 86% of the city’s needs already met, and plans to increase this to 92% in the near future. The Mayor emphasized Dhulikhel’s focus on promoting electric vehicles, reducing reliance on wood for cooking, and adopting sustainable practices to enhance the city’s environmental and social well-being. He encouraged other municipalities to adopt similar approaches to create cleaner and more sustainable urban environments across Nepal.

Shreya KC presented a detailed analysis of urban challenges and climate change impacts in Nepal. She highlighted the alarming effects of air pollution, which significantly reduces life expectancy in urban areas. She addressed the dual realities of urbanization and poverty, noting how rapid urban growth exacerbates environmental and social challenges.

Shreya emphasized the vulnerability of Nepal’s urban areas to climate change, with rising temperatures, poor air quality, and increased disaster risks. She called for inclusive and participatory approaches, urging policymakers to involve marginalized communities in decision-making processes. Her recommendations included prioritizing sustainable urban planning, improving public spaces, and fostering community-driven solutions to enhance urban resilience.

Aruna Magar, UN-HABITAT focused on the importance of incorporating urban priorities into Nepal’s climate commitments under the NDC framework. She explained how urban areas play a crucial role in delivering climate actions and achieving global climate goals.

Aruna highlighted the opportunities for integrating sustainable urban development into NDCs, such as promoting energy-efficient buildings, adopting renewable energy, and encouraging public transportation systems. She emphasized that addressing urban challenges like waste management, water scarcity, and air pollution is essential for meeting climate targets. She called for strategic planning and collaboration between government, civil society, and the private sector to ensure the effective implementation of these urban-focused initiatives.

Participants were divided into five groups to identify challenges and propose solutions for enhancing CSO advocacy on urban resilience.

Group 1 presented by Neharika Mathema, called for the exclusion of urban issues from critical climate conversations. They emphasized the importance of reducing individual environmental footprints and improving urban mobility through public spaces, walking, and cycling. The group proposed prioritizing community-focused solutions, leveraging Indigenous knowledge, and fostering multi-sectoral collaboration to address these challenges.

Group 2 presented by Aliza called on key urban challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions, inefficient public transportation, and poor waste management. They proposed innovative solutions such as adopting advanced waste treatment technologies, developing proper land-use plans, conducting environmental audits, and ensuring access to reliable environmental data. They stressed the need for integrated urban planning and effective fund allocation for green projects.

Group 3 presented by Ojjasbi Jhosi highlighted the need to focus on smaller cities and improve water runoff management, green infrastructure, and energy-efficient buildings. They proposed designing walkable cities with green belts and open spaces, promoting waste management, and protecting agricultural lands. The group also emphasized the importance of climate-friendly construction practices to enhance urban resilience.

Group 4, presented by Skanda, addressed the limited accessibility of electric vehicles (EVs) for the urban poor and the lack of inspections for energy-efficient buildings. To encourage sustainable urban practices, they recommended introducing tax incentives for EVs, promoting renewable energy adoption, and strengthening inspections for rainwater harvesting systems.

Group 5 focused on reviving traditional water management systems and improving public transportation. They proposed remodeling traditional groundwater recharge systems, promoting electric trolleybuses, and establishing vehicle-free zones to reduce urban carbon emissions.

Prakash Lama, representing CEN, thanked all participants for their active involvement and thoughtful contributions. He assured that the ideas and recommendations generated during the discussions would be shared with the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) for integration into NDCs during their preparation. The program concluded with a group photo and an official announcement marking the end of the consultation.

Total Participants: 44

Male: 23 Female: 21