Promoting Climate Agenda and Biodiversity Conservation at the Local Level: A Case for Nepal’s Rural and Urban Municipalities

Abstract

Nepal is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. This paper discusses the impact climate change is having on the biodiversity in Nepal and why local governments need to conserve biodiversity to act on a climate agenda in the coming years. It recommends ecosystem and landscape-based approaches for climate change mitigation, adaptation, and disaster reduction. Large-scale approaches can not only conserve biodiversity but also contribute to the social and economic well-being of local communities. Nepal has this unique opportunity to formulate and implement appropriate policies towards biodiversity conservation at the local level both in rural and urban areas. After 20 years of administrative governance, in 2017, Nepali people have elected new representatives for 264 urban municipalities and 480 rural municipalities. In addition, the newly elected local governments should increase their commitment for biodiversity conservation by involving local communities as stewards. To do that Nepal’s rural and urban governments should develop policies that align with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 11, 13 and 15 for making cities resilient and sustainable, combat climate change, and protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and halt biodiversity loss. To achieve them Nepal needs support from the international community to empower local people to monitor changes, to innovate for the future and adopt sustainability in their daily lives.