KATHMANDU: The Adaptation Fund has approved three climate adaptation project proposals for Nepal aimed at strengthening vulnerable communities, protecting ecosystems through nature-based solutions and improving early warning systems for floods and landslides.
The proposals were approved at the Fund’s 47th Board Meeting, which was also attended by Nepal’s representative on the Adaptation Fund Board, Naresh Sharma.
Sharma said the projects would help communities exposed to climate change build resilience, conserve ecosystems and improve preparedness for climate-related disasters through stronger early warning systems.
One of the approved proposals is the Green Koshi project, to be implemented by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). According to Sharma, the Board approved the project’s concept note with a proposed budget of USD 9.92 million. The initiative aims to strengthen climate resilience and conserve ecosystems through nature-based solutions.
Similarly, the Board approved a pre-concept note for the SAFE NIB project, which will be implemented by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). With a proposed budget of USD 300 million, the initiative aims to strengthen climate adaptation measures and improve flood and landslide early warning systems across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region.
The Board also approved a concept note for a project to build resilient communities through locally led, nature-based climate action in Lumbini Province. The project, to be implemented by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), has a proposed budget of approximately USD 4.99 million, Sharma said.
Meanwhile, the Fund’s next Board Meeting is expected to discuss a proposal to mobilise international climate adaptation finance for post-disaster management, recovery and reconstruction in the Bhote Koshi river area.
Sharma said the Board could not reach a decision on the initiative due to time constraints, but agreed to retain the agenda for further discussion at its next meeting in April.
The proposed initiative is expected to help expand access to international climate finance for communities affected by the August 26 floods in the Bhote Koshi river region, supporting their recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Established in 2001 under the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Adaptation Fund is an international climate finance mechanism that provides grants to vulnerable developing countries to strengthen their capacity to adapt to climate change and build resilience to its impacts. The Fund also serves the Paris Agreement.