IDS: Nepal’s National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) provides a clear guideline for the disbursement of at least 80 per cent of adaptation funds on implementation at the local level. To support implementation the government of Nepal has recently developed a national framework for a Local Adaptation Plan for Action (LAPA). The LAPA framework aims to make adaptation planning a bottom up, inclusive, responsive and flexible process that will identify the most climate vulnerable people and allow them to make informed decisions on priority adaptation actions.

It provides an opportunity for undertaking developmental activities that are climate resilient with strong co-benefits for poverty reduction. The integration of local level Climate and Energy Plans with the LAPA could facilitate some triple-wins and produce low carbon climate resilient development (LCCRD). However, the biggest challenge to achieving these aims will be the quality of governance at all levels.

Delivering national climate adaptation plans at the local level can deliver co-benefits if…

1. Social exclusion is addressed. The poorest and most marginalised groups of people complain of being excluded from development planning and decision making and not being able to access state resources.
2. The process is used to refresh development efforts that focus on the most vulnerable and marginalized people. The narrative on climate change in Nepal emphasises inclusive governance and a commitment to using available funds for local level implementation.
3. Mechanisms for improving chains of communication are developed. Effective communication can help to reduce the mismatch between autonomous and planned adaptation, facilitate the use of traditional knowledge in planning processes, and theoretically lead to more successful adaptation interventions because they have community support.
4. Support for governance reform and capacity development is continued. This may well be one of the most effective ways in which donors can contribute to enhancing the prospects for the LAPA in Nepal.

    

5. Countries need both a national policy framework plus high resolution local plans
   

   Developing a LAPA can help bridge central planning and local priorities, connecting higher level mobilisation ofresources for adaptation and channelling those resources into the hands of those who need them.

6. Recognise that local climate change responses may contribute to improved governance as well as poverty co-benefits
   

   Planning in Nepal may be better able to move beyond centralisation as a result of the LAPA experience,becoming generally more flexible, iterative and allowing for various future scenarios. Local level responses to climate change could help produce and promote new forms of partnerships and perhaps even a more democratic society in the context of a fragile state. Only focusing on the LCCRD co-benefits risks overlooking broader co-benefits such as this prospective ‘governance co-benefit’.

7. Explore opportunities for integrating energy planning and adaptation planning at local levels
   

   There are prospects for integrating low carbon solutions to energy poverty into adaptation planning via District Climate and Energy Plans.

1. Invest in and support governance reform to achieve the intended outcomes
   

   Limited government capacity at all levels creates serious governance challenges. This is particularly the case at local levels and for financial management. Most pressing of all, concerns around accountability, corruption and capacity at the local and national levels will have an important bearing on efforts to strengthen the LAPA.

2. Continuously monitor and learn from the progress of implementation
   

   The LAPA is still at a relatively early stage just beyond piloting, and monitoring the progress of implementation over the next few years to see how well it contributes to a low carbon, climate resilient development path, while also improving local governance can support wider learning on what works (or not) and why (not).

Nepal

1. in the heart of the Great Himalayan region
2. the 15th poorest country in the world
3. over 55% of the population live under the international poverty line of $1.25 a day
4. over 10 million of its population are at greater risk of natural disasters including floods, drought, disease outbreaks and forest fires
5. emerging from a 10-year civil war with a fragile peace process

Priorities for Nepal to tackle climate change:

1. Poverty reduction
2. Climate resilience
3. Peace-building
4. Inclusive governance

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