Nepal’s Department of Environment and ICIMOD team up for clean air in the country  

Every winter, the quality of air in Kathmandu city plummets as it is shrouded by smog and pollution particles emitted from a number of sources. The sources vary from transport, industry, and domestic fuel to forest fires, not to mention the pollutants brought over from distant sources by atmospheric circulation. Not just capital Kathmandu’s air pollution level but also of rest of Nepal’s – much like the case of its neighbouring countries – is a persistent problem and one that has been increasing in severity. A recent report estimates that in 2021, more than 48,000 deaths could have been caused by air pollution alone in the country. 

In response to this severe issue, Nepal’s Department of Environment (DoEnv), under its Ministry of Forest and Environment (MoFE), and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) have joined forces to combat air pollution and promote sustainable environmental practices. On 6 November 2024, both institutions signed a letter of intent (LoI) and committed to more efforts in addressing air quality challenges in the country through a combination of scientific research, capacity building, and collaborative actions. 

The DoEnv plays a crucial role in Nepal’s environmental management efforts. Tasked with enforcing the country’s Environment Protection Act (2019) and Environment Protection Regulation (2020), the department is responsible for improving air quality, enforcing environmental standards, promoting climate adaptation practices, and creating climate-resilient communities. With an aim to tackle air pollution in the country, it has also partnered with ICIMOD in setting up a national network of air quality monitoring stations, and a dashboard to track the state of air pollution in the country.

Reflecting on the partnership, DoEnv Director General Subedi said, “Environmental considerations must be central to development if we are to avoid long-term challenges. Despite limited resources and expertise, the Government of Nepal is prioritising air pollution mitigation. Through our collaboration with ICIMOD and its network, we hope to overcome these challenges and address the risks posed by polluted air and make a difference that transcends borders.” 

 The department has also continued a critical service by conducting and supporting the need for national-level air quality monitoring in the country. The results have been captured in national air quality reports (available for download here) that reveal a worrying trend wherein winter and early spring months are shown to have the most polluted days across Nepal. 

While the purpose of the collaboration is to strengthen their long-standing partnership in air quality management, the DoEnv and ICIMOD will also engage in the following: 

• Building capacity in air quality monitoring: ICIMOD will provide technical support to the DoEnv on operating and maintaining air quality observatories across Nepal. 
• Data analysis and strategy development: ICIMOD will assist the DoEnv in analysing air quality data, developing monitoring strategies, and establishing standards. By synthesising national emissions data, ICIMOD will also contribute to a comprehensive emissions inventory for Nepal. 
• Enhancing Nepal’s Air Quality Watch Dashboard: ICIMOD will support the DoEnv in strengthening the Air Quality Watch Dashboard by developing visualisation and analysis tools for satellite- and model-based data, thereby providing a robust resource for policy development and public awareness. 
• Collaborative research and knowledge sharing: Both organisations will work together on research projects of mutual interest that focus on air quality best practices and pollution mitigation measures. Additionally, the organisations will co-develop knowledge products and outreach activities to enhance public awareness. 
• Supporting regional actions and transboundary cooperation: The DoEnv and ICIMOD  will facilitate regional cooperation through airshed approaches to tackle cross-border air quality challenges and promote harmonisation efforts in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. 

Reflecting on the shared goals of the two organisations, Dr. Gyamtsho, Director General of ICIMOD, said, “The Department of Environment is an invaluable partner for ICIMOD and we are eager to work together to address one of the most urgent planetary crises – air pollution. Polluted air impacts people’s health, well-being, and livelihoods. We are committed to supporting Nepal’s efforts to take the lead in finding effective, regionally impactful solutions.” 

This partnership between ICIMOD and the DoEnv could be a pivotal step in Nepal’s journey towards clean air and a healthy environment. As a developing country that must make critical choices that influence its national development goals and the well-being of its citizens, this partnership will directly contribute to better climate action in Nepal. By combining scientific expertise and governmental policy, the collaboration aims to not only improve air quality in Nepal but also serve as a model for regional action against air pollution. Together, ICIMOD and the DoEnv have been displaying the requisite commitment to creating a sustainable and resilient future for Nepal and the greater HKH region. 

ICIMOD’s commitment to reducing climate and environmental risks 

As part of our strategy to reduce climate and environmental risks, ICIMOD collaborates with its Regional Member Countries on air quality management under its Stimulating Action for Clean Air programme. ICIMOD aims to comprehensively understand air quality issues in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region by generating scientific data, advancing knowledge, and fostering collaborations on clean air initiatives.