REDD+ and Adaptation in Nepal

Nepal’s geographic position in the Himalayas makes it particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. With rising temperatures there is an increased likelihood of natural disasters including glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), landslides and flooding, as glaciers melt and rainfall becomes erratic (GAR, 2009; IPCC, 2007). These natural factors exacerbate social vulnerabilities such as widespread poverty, a large agriculture-dependent population, poor governance and low institutional capacity (NCVST, 2009). Strengthening the adaptive capacity of communities in the face of climate change thus constitutes a development priority for Nepal (GoN, 2010a).