Climate Change in Nepal: A Decade of Challenges and the Path Forward

Nepal is widely recognized as one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries. Positioned in the heart of the Himalayas, it faces unique environmental stresses due to its fragile mountain ecosystem, diverse topography, and widespread dependence on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture and hydropower. Over the past decade (2015–2025), the shocking increase in climate-related disasters — floods, landslides, fires, and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) — have underscored the urgency of addressing Nepal’s climate crisis. This article explores the detailed impacts backed by statistics, personal stories from those affected, and offers guidance on how individuals can join the fight for a resilient Nepal.

The Climate Crisis in Numbers: How Nepal is Changing

1. Rising Temperatures and Changing Rainfall Patterns
• Nepal’s average temperature has been rising at approximately 0.06°C annually between 1975 and 2005. Projections estimate an increase of 1.3°C to 3.8°C by the 2060s.
• Mean rainfall has decreased at about 3.7 millimeters per month per decade, causing longer dry spells along with more intense monsoon rainfall when it does come. This uneven precipitation exacerbates droughts and floods.unstats.un+1

2. Glacier Retreat and Increasing Risks from Glacial Lakes

• From 1977 to 2010, glacier volume in Nepal shrank by nearly 29%, while glacier lakes increased by about 11%.
• GLOFs pose a growing threat as these lakes, filled due to rapid glacial melt, occasionally burst, causing catastrophic flooding downstream.unfccc

3. Disaster Frequency and Economic Impacts

• Near 50,000 disaster events — fires, landslides, floods — were recorded between 2016 and early 2025, resulting in thousands of deaths and widespread destruction.
• Climate-induced disasters currently cost Nepal about 1.5-2% of its GDP each year, a figure projected to rise to 2-3% by mid-century if no adequate mitigation and adaptation measures are taken.unfccc
• The hydropower sector faces increased costs, with an estimated $2.6 billion needed by 2050 to offset climate-related hydrological changes.unfccc
4. Agriculture and Food Security
• Agriculture, employing roughly 70% of Nepal’s population, suffers heavily from climate variability. Up to 90% of crop loss is attributable to weather extremes, with drought accounting for about 40%.climatecentre
• Erratic monsoon timing and intensity disrupt sowing and harvesting cycles, reducing yields of staples like rice, maize, and wheat.

Personal Stories: Voices from Nepal’s Mountains and Valleys

• A Farmer’s Loss in the Terai: Ram, a rice farmer in southern Nepal, watched helplessly as the 2018 floods washed away his entire paddy field in a matter of hours. “We planted with hope, but the rains drowned our future,” he shared. Ram’s story echoes the experience of thousands whose livelihoods are precariously tied to unpredictable weather.
• Survivors of the Humla GLOF 2025: Sita, a mother of three, recounted the terrifying night when the glacial lake burst downstream. “We heard a roar like a thousand rivers and ran without looking back. We lost everything — the house, livestock, and our memories.” Many families like Sita’s remain displaced, dependent on aid and rebuilding efforts.
• Youth Leading the Way in Community Resilience: In Sindhupalchok, 19-year-old Maya helped map landslide-prone areas using drones and GPS, supporting her village’s relocation efforts. “We cannot wait for others to solve this. We must act for our future,” she said with determination.

How You Can Help: Building a Resilient Nepal Together

Every individual has a role to play in confronting climate change. Here are key actions you can take:

• Support Local Climate Adaptation Initiatives: Contribute time or resources to tree-planting drives, community-based early warning systems, and restoration of watersheds. These localized efforts protect soil stability and water flow.
• Adopt Sustainable Practices in Daily Life: Reduce carbon footprints by conserving energy, minimizing waste, and using eco-friendly modes of transport. Encouraging sustainable agriculture at home helps conserve water and maintain soil health.
• Raise Awareness and Education: Sharing knowledge about climate risks and adaptation strategies with neighbors, schools, and social networks empowers communities to prepare and respond effectively.
• Advocate for Policy and Funding Support: Join campaigns and petitions pushing for stronger government climate policies and international aid to support Nepal’s climate resilience plans.
• Volunteer or Donate to Reputable Organizations: Support NGOs working on climate adaptation, disaster relief, and sustainable development projects across Nepal.

Nepal’s Path Forward: Climate Commitments and Challenges

At the international level, Nepal has pledged ambitious goals:

• Net-zero carbon emissions target by 2045
• Increase forest coverage to 45% by 2030 (currently about 44.7%)
• Strengthen National Adaptation Plan with prioritized actions for vulnerable groupsclimateactiontracker+1

However, Nepal’s capacity is limited. The country’s greenhouse gas emissions remain low globally but are rising domestically, mainly from agriculture and forestry sectors. Meeting climate targets requires enhanced policies and substantial international financial and technical support.climateactiontracker

Conclusion: Hope Amidst Adversity

Nepal’s decade-long journey through worsening floods, droughts, and glacier disruptions is a sober reminder of climate change’s immediate human costs. Yet, the spirit of communities rallying to rebuild, innovate, and protect their land shines through.

By combining scientific knowledge, traditional wisdom, grassroots action, and international cooperation, Nepal can turn the tide. For individuals, even small actions ripple outward, empowering this mountainous nation to forge a resilient and sustainable tomorrow.

At Green Smith Nepal, we invite you to be part of this vital journey. Together, we can protect the mountains, rivers, and people who call Nepal home—inspiring hope that rises as surely as the sun over the Himalayas.

References:

Climate Change Related Indicators of Nepal (2022)unstats.un

Government of Nepal Ministry of Population and Environment - First NDC (2022)unfccc

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON HEALTH AND LIVELIHOODS - Climate Centreclimatecentre

climateactiontracker Nepal | Climate Action Tracker (2025)

1. https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/nepal/
2. https://unstats.un.org/unsd/envstats/compendia/Nepal_ClimateChangeRelatedIndicatorsofNepal_2022.pdf
3. https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/NDC/2022-06/Nepal%20First%20NDC.pdf
4. https://www.climate-transparency.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Nepal-CP2020.pdf
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_in_Nepal
6. https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/nepal
7. http://climate.mohp.gov.np/attachments/article/167/Second%20Nationally%20Determined%20Contribution%20(NDC)%20-%202020.pdf
8. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/246135/WHO-FWC-PHE-EPE-15.27-eng.pdf
9. https://www.climatecentre.org/wp-content/uploads/RCRC_IFRC-Country-assessments-NEPAL-3.pdf
10. https://www.mofe.gov.np/uploads/uploads/notices/nap-full-repnoticepdf-3463-7921661679518.pdf