Climate change adaptation (CCA) research in Nepal: implications for the advancement of adaptation planning

Abstract

Climate change has become one of the most compelling fields of empirical research over the last couple of decades, partly due to its socio-economic impacts. Using a meta-analysis of 235 peer-reviewed articles published between January 2010 and July 2020, this paper appraises climate change adaptation (CCA) research in Nepal and draws lessons for future adaptation planning. The number of research is observed to have increased significantly in recent years (2015-2020) although there is no consistent pattern over the review period and at the thematic level. Findings submit that the agriculture and food security has the highest number of publications (37%) followed by gender equality and social inclusion (18%) and forest, biodiversity and watershed management (16%). There are no studies found in rural and urban settlement theme. Geographic distribution of CCA studies revealed that over 40% studies were carried out from central Nepal, while no study was conducted in ten districts of eastern and western Nepal. The study focus was also discrete, and the perception and attitude and impact assessment of climate change were common agendas; however, the drivers of change and options for adaptation were understudied. CCA with multipronged initiatives provide a broader understanding of dynamics and governance of climate change that not only affects rural livelihoods, but also influences regional and global environments and biodiversity.

Addressing the impacts of climate change on agricultural adaptation strategies: a case study in Nepal

“…A study of Makwanpur, which is a local area of agricultural production, found that alterations to the traditional cropping patterns and calendar, changing crop varieties and increased fertilizer and pesticide applications were required to maintain crop yields (Shrestha and Nepal, 2016). This report is supported by other recent studies of climate change impacts on agricultural farmland in Nepal (Bista et al ., 2021; Bocchiola et al ., 2019; Chaudhary et al ., 2021; Karki et al ., 2022).…”

“…The adaptation strategies that NAPA promotes are economically viable, environmentally friendly, locally available and socially adaptable. This finding is consistent with previous studies that reported on the need for a LAPA based on local planning, the adaptive capacity of vulnerable households and local- and national-level mainstreaming strategies (Acharya et al ., 2015; Gentle et al ., 2014; Karki et al ., 2022; Lamichhane et al ., 2022).…”

“…The Mangalsen Municipality, Achham District, Sudurpashchim Province, Nepal, has been identified as one of the most climate-sensitive regions on the planet and is experiencing more warming than the country overall (Bista et al ., 2021; Tome et al ., 2022). This location possesses some characteristics that make it relatively vulnerable to climate change compared to other regions in Nepal; it already exhibits evidence of climate change (a rise in temperature and changes in rainfall patterns), has agriculture-based economies, and its people have limited cognitive and technological capacities to adapt (Barrueto et al ., 2017; Bocchiola et al ., 2019; Karki et al ., 2022; Koirala et al ., 2022; Poudel et al ., 2020).…”

Ethnomedicinal landscape: distribution of used medicinal plant species in Nepal

“…The use of medicinal plants is supported by countries’ rich biodiversity [ 12 ], over 125 ethnic groups [ 13 ], and five disparate physiographic regions [ 14 , 15 ]. In the face of climate change [ 16 ], land use change [ 17 ], outmigration, and sociocultural and economic transformations [ 18 ], the tradition of medicinal plant collection and use in remote and rural areas has undergone significant changes in the recent decades [ 19 , 20 ]. Following predicted climate change, the population of medicinal plants is likely threatened, and the suitable habitat range for medicinal plants is likely to be shrink, resulting in significant alteration of traditional collection sites and practices [ 21 – 23 ].…”

Differential Impact Analysis for Climate Change Adaptation: A Case Study from Nepal

“…Adaptation plans represent a way in which local individuals, households, and communities can change their mix of productive activities and modify their community rules and institutions in response to vulnerability to sustain their livelihoods [1]. Localized experience and observation-based knowledge is crucial with respect to climate change adaptation science [2]. The adaptation process is necessary to understand vulnerable systems, drivers of vulnerability, differential vulnerability, and local adaptive capacities to address risks and resilience to the impacts of climate change [3,4].…”