Greenhouse gas mitigation and climate change adaptation: some policies for Nepal

Although Nepal is an extremely insignificant emitter of global carbon – emitting less than 0.1% of global emissions - it is burdened by a disproportionately high degree of vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change. Nepal’s exposures include the possibilities of increased GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Floods) phenomenon, the melting mountains syndrome, and decrease in agricultural production, increase in vector borne diseases, loss of important bio-diversity assets and change in the hydrological cycles and resulting effects. Given her limited financial resources, and a weak institutional capacity, the changing climate will likely reduce Nepal’s GDP, increase the society’s disease burden, and cause additional human deaths