Barriers in Local Climate Change Adaptation Planning in Nepal

Abstract

The impacts of climate change are vivid in under-developed, landlocked, and mountainous country like Nepal. Adaptation to climate change is emerging as an important developmental challenge in Nepal. This paper examines the barriers in local climate change adaptation planning at a Local level i.e. Community, Village Development Committees (VDC) in Nepal. The methodology consists of participatory qualitative tools such as focus group discussion, key informant interviews, stakeholder consultation, and direct observation. Primary and secondary data were analyzed by pattern coding to create typologies and non-parametric tests (the sign test was used for statistical analysis). Analysis conclude that, improper institutional arrangement, insufficient of public awareness and participation, inadequate consultation with community and local government, absence of the elected representative at village development committees, unclear role of community groups are few barrier that exists in efficient implementation of local adaptation plan at local level in Nepal. The local government should take their response along leadership in adaptation planning and implementing climate change adaptation plan. Furthermore, the clear and coherent operational guidelines should be prepared for initiating the collaboration and partnership amongst different governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.

Keywords: Local Adaptation Plan for Action Framework, Barriers, Climate Change Adaptation, Village Development Committees.