Low Carbon news in Nepal in December in 2016
PM stresses hydropower development at Power Summit
Date: 15/12/2016
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that the huge hydropower development potentials available in Nepal could be harnessed with an efficient technological base, entrepreneurial vision, coordinated power trading approach and sustained investment commitment.
PM Dahal said so while addressing the ‘Power Summit 2016: 10,000 Megawatt in 10 years’ organised by the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN) in the Capital on Thursday.
http://thehimalayantimes.com/business/pm-pushpa-kamal-dahal-stresses-hydropower-development-power-summit/
Position Statement of Indigenous Peoples on Emission Reduction Program of Nepal
Date: 7/12/2016
Reiterating the fact that Nepal has ratified the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention No.169, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and voted for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP),
Reminding the fact that the Cancun Agreement on REDD+ Safeguards (2010) and the Climate Change Paris Agreement recognize Indigenous Peoples’ rights,
Demanding that, as we, the Indigenous Peoples have an intrinsic relationship with the Nature, our rights over natural resources, including our lands and territories be recognized and that our rights to self-determination including the Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) procedure be ensured,
The Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) on behalf of the Indigenous Peoples of Nepal declares the following points as a minimal position of the Indigenous Peoples of Nepal with regard to Emission Reduction Program Document (ERPD) and Emission Reduction Program (ERP) implementation.
http://aippnet.org/position-statement-of-indigenous-peoples-on-emission-reduction-program-of-nepal/
15 organizations awarded for innovative effort in climate change adaptation
Date: 16/12/2016
Various 15 organizations of Nepal have been awarded with cash prize for their innovative effort in the field of climate change adaptation.
Minister for Population and Environment Jay Dev Joshi awarded the organizations with cash prize of 10,000 Pound which accounts to be Rs 1.3 million, amid a function in Kathmandu on Friday.
The Adaptation at Scale Prize has been rewarded for innovative solutions to scale-up climate change adaptation in Nepal from the Ideas to Impact program funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and managed by IMC Worldwide.
http://www.myrepublica.com/news/11268
Dhaulagiri glacier shrinking, thanks to climate change
Date: 21/12/2016
Dhaulagiri glacier has started shrinking due to melting of ice. The glaciers are becoming thin in the mountainous region of late.
This year, the southern part of Mt Nilgiri lost ice more than previous years.
Tourism entrepreneur Tej Bahadur Gurung of Narchyang VDC said the mountain has turned into a “black cliff”.
“The stream flowing from the mountain should be small during this season, but the water level of the stream is still same,” he said.
Local traders said the glacier has shrunk by 200 meters in the last 25 years.
“The glacier is about 20 meters thin now,” said Tej Bahadur.
The glaciers used to melt during May and June each year, however, ice is melting even in the month of December.
http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2016-12-21/dhaulagiri-glacier-shrinking-thanks-to-climate-change.html
Brick kilns adopting zig-zag technology
Date: 30/12/2016
Brick kilns in the Kathmandu Valley have adopted zig-zag system in brick production to reduce brick kiln emissions.
Former industry minister Mahesh Basnet had released ‘Design Manual for Improved Fixed Chimney Zig-Zag Brick Kilns’ in October last year and entrepreneurs have been constructing their kilns under this model, especially following the earthquake in 2015. Such model for brick kiln construction was developed by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the model follows zig-zag pattern of brick baking to reduce emission of suspended particular material (SPM) into the atmosphere.
Under this model, bricks are laid in a zig-zag system while baking and single-man-coal-feeding system is applied when bricks are baked. This system of baking bricks is believed to increase air flow inside brick chimneys that ensures effective and uniform burning of coal, which ultimately helps to reduce black carbon emission from brick chimneys.
http://thehimalayantimes.com/business/brick-kilns-adopting-zig-zag-technology/
NOC to import Euro IV petrol, diesel from April next year
Date: 19/12/2016
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has said it will start importing Euro IV standard fuel from April 2017.
NOC’s sole supplier Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has agreed to supply the high-grade petrol and diesel after the renewal of an agreement slated for March 2017, according to the state-owned oil monopoly, which currently imports petroleum products of Euro III standard. “At a bilateral meeting held in Kathmandu on last Friday, IOC has agreed to supply petroleum products of Euro IV standard,” said NOC Spokesperson Bhanubhakta Khanal. Euro IV standard fuel is considered environmentally-friendly as it emits low sulphur, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, among other air pollutants. “However, the degree of emission of these by-products also depends on the condition of vehicles,” Khanal said.
Nepal to Implement Climate Smart project
Date: 24/12/2016
Nepal is to implement Climate Smart project with budget of 50 mllion pounds to mitigate the impact of climate change leading to secure the livelihood of community. Ministry of Population and Environment with the support of DFID (UK aid) will implement the climate smart project focusing the five major element, said Dr. Bishwanath Oli, secretary of ministry.
The project is titles “Climate smart Development for Nepal” and will implement for five years (2017-2021). According to Oli, out of 50 million pounds, 22 million pounds will be budgeted for risk reduction, adaptation and community based disaster management. Government is planning to expand the existing project Nepal Climate Change Support Program (NCCSP) which is under implementation in 14 districts of mid and farwest Nepal but this project will have some different modalities than the last one, said Oli.
Another 18 million pounds will be allocated for renewable energy promotion and it will be delivered by Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC). Adaptation programs will be implemented by NCCSP program while mitigation will be implemented by AEPC, said Ram Prasad Dhital, Executive Director of AEPC.
http://kantipur.ekantipur.com/news/2016-12-24/20161224190457.html