Kathmandu:The Adaptation Fund has sanctioned three climate adaptation project proposals for Nepal, focusing on enhancing the resilience of vulnerable communities, promoting nature-based solutions, and improving early warning systems for floods and landslides.
According to National News Agency RSS, these proposals were approved at the Fund’s 47th Board Meeting, attended by Nepal’s representative on the Adaptation Fund Board, Naresh Sharma. Sharma noted that the projects aim to bolster community resilience to climate change, protect ecosystems using nature-based approaches, and enhance early warning systems to better prepare communities for climate-related disasters.
One of the approved projects is the Green Koshi project, which will be implemented by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). The project had its concept note approved with a proposed budget of $9.92 million and will focus on strengthening climate resilience and conserving ecosystems through nature-based solutions.
Additionally, the SAFE NIB project, to be implemented by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), received approval for its pre-concept note. With a proposed budget of $300 million, this initiative aims to reinforce climate adaptation and early warning systems for floods and landslides across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region.
A project intended to build resilient communities through locally led, nature-based climate action in Lumbini Province also received approval. The concept note for this project proposes a budget of approximately $4.99 million, and it will be implemented by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), as informed by Sharma.
Sharma also mentioned that the next board meeting of the Fund is scheduled to discuss proposals for mobilizing international climate adaptation finance for post-disaster management, recovery, and reconstruction in the Bhotekoshi river area. Although a decision on this initiative was not reached due to time constraints, the agenda was approved for further discussion in April. This initiative is expected to expand access to international climate finance to support communities affected by the Bhotekoshi flood as they rebuild and recover.
The Adaptation Fund, established in 2001 under the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), now also serves the Paris Agreement by providing grants to vulnerable developing countries to strengthen their capacity to adapt to climate change and build resilience.