Nepal`s Journey Towards

Carbon Neutrality
Engineering Innovation for a Sustainable Ecosystem
July 28th

Ashim Joshi
Program Coordinator
GridVille Program, Kathmandu University

Photo credit:
Nepali TImes
 ©Photo credit: Nabin Baral / IWMI

Current Status
• Nepal`s per capita emission is one of the least in the world ~0.47tons of CO2 per capita.
However, its per capita emission is growing the fastest in South Asia
• Nepal shares 0.10 % of global GHG emissions
• Nepal also has one of the highest levels of air pollution in the world, with emissions from
transport, biomass burning, and industrial activities significantly impacting health and
productivity.
 ©Photo credit: ADB

• Nepal's goal is to achieve full net zero by 2045.

• Almost the totality of the electricity generated in Nepal
comes from hydropower. Most of the energy supply is from
biofuels as ~21 million people still rely on traditional
biomass for cooking
• In 2000, 81% did not have access to electricity but with
remarkable efforts from the government, only 4% of the
population remain without access today
 Climate Change Impact
• Total CO2 emission of Nepal is expected to rise to 34
mMtCO2 in 2030 and 79 mMtCO2 in 2050 from 23
mMtCO2 in 2019 (NepalLTLEDS)
• The temperature rise is 0.6 degree Celsius per decade,
and could be 1.2-4.2 degree celcius by 2080s (ADB)
• Climate variability is already a major driver of food
insecurity and poverty in Nepal
• Nepal’s GDP could be at least 7 percent smaller by
2050 due to unchecked climate impacts (worldbank)
• Glacier Retreat and Melting Snow, Water Scarcity and
Changes in Hydrological Patterns, Increased
Frequency of Extreme Weather Events etc are the
problems that can be observed already
(Inter)National policy
initiatives and Cooperations • The Environment Protection Act (2019)
• Climate Resilient Planning and Budgeting Guideline
(2019)
The government of Nepal has developed legal and • GESI and Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan
institutional mechanisms to implement long-term (2019)
goals as agreed in the Paris Agreements • National Energy Efficiency Strategy (2018)
• National Climate Change Policy 2019: aims to
contribute to socio-economic prosperity by building
climate resilient society
• Second Nationally Determined Contributions:
• By 2030, increase clean energy generation to 15,000
MW, with 5-10 percent coming from mini- and
micro-hydropower plants, solar panels, wind, and
bio-energy
• Increase e-vehicle sales to 90 percent of all private
passenger vehicle sales (including two-wheelers) and
60 percent of all four-wheeler public passenger
vehicle sales by 2030
• By 2030, ensure that electric stoves are used as the
primary mode of cooking in 25 per cent of
households
• By 2030, 45 per cent of the total area of the country
will be under forestcover

Significant investment will be
required
46.4 billion USD from 2021 to
2030
53.4 billion USD from 2031 to
2040
96.3 billion USD from 2041 to
2050
Priority transitions *
*Country Climate and Development Report for Nepal
• Taking an integrated approach to water, agriculture, and forests:
Nepal’s agriculture and forestry sectors together comprise 24 percent of
GDP and provide the main source of livelihoods for the poor
• Harnessing the hydropower opportunity: An annual average of
US$200 million of additional export revenues could be generated from
2022 to 2025. Hydropower development also offers the potential to grow
climate-smart solutions such as electric mobility and green hydrogen
• Managing sustainable urbanization: Nepal is the fastest-urbanizing
country in South Asia, and cities can benefit from the climate transition
catalyzing new jobs, innovation, and improved service delivery to
residents
• Strengthening low-carbon resilient connectivity: To increase resilient
connectivity, Nepal can shore up the most critical transport corridors and
develop a climate-smart maintenance plan.
GridVille Program
Sustainable Energy Systems for a Circular
Economy

GridVille is an interdisciplinary program that

aims to design and develop sustainable
electricity systems while also providing
development assistance to Nepal’s energy
deficient rural communities.
Thank You

Photo credit:
Nepali TImes