Major Political Parties Prioritize Climate Change in Election Manifestos

As Nepal approaches the House of Representatives election on Falgun 21, major political parties have given strong priority to climate change in their election manifestos. Rising environmental risks, frequent natural disasters, and growing pressure on livelihoods have made climate issues a central political concern. Although Nepal contributes very little to global carbon emissions, its geographical location and fragile mountain ecosystem have made it one of the most vulnerable countries to climate impacts. As a result, political parties have begun treating climate change as a national development challenge rather than only an environmental issue.

In recent years, Nepal has experienced declining snowfall in the Himalayas, irregular rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and frequent floods and landslides. Many rural communities are facing water shortages as natural springs dry up, forcing people to travel long distances in search of drinking water. Despite access to clean water being a constitutional right, limited resources and climate stress have made this difficult to ensure. These growing problems have pushed political leaders to focus more seriously on climate adaptation and mitigation in their policy agendas.

The Nepali Communist Party has emphasized climate-friendly development through organic agriculture, biodiversity protection, and environmentally sustainable farming systems. The party has pledged to promote chemical-free farming, protect indigenous crops, and restrict harmful pesticides and genetically modified crops. It has also highlighted the importance of building a green economy by encouraging industries and institutions to adopt eco-friendly practices. In addition, the party has proposed developing carbon pricing and carbon trading systems to reduce emissions and generate carbon credits.

The party has further stressed the need for strong disaster preparedness and climate diplomacy. It plans to promote international cooperation to highlight the risks faced by Himalayan countries and to maximize access to global climate finance such as the Green Climate Fund and loss-and-damage mechanisms. Infrastructure development in disaster-prone areas, early warning systems, and long-term livelihood programs for affected families have also been included in its commitments.

The Nepali Congress has focused on implementing Nepal’s commitment to become a net-zero emissions country by 2045. The party aims to introduce structural reforms in energy, transport, industry, and infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions. It has promised to increase the use of clean and renewable energy, improve pollution control, and strengthen forest and biodiversity conservation. Congress has also pledged to enforce stricter environmental standards for air, water, land, and food systems.

In its manifesto, Congress has emphasized balancing development with environmental protection through green growth policies. It plans to maintain forest coverage at around 46 percent and protect watersheds, wetlands, and ecosystems. The party has also committed to mobilizing climate finance from international institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and global climate funds. By strengthening legal and institutional frameworks, it aims to attract private and foreign investment in climate-related projects.

The Communist Party of Nepal (UML) has placed strong emphasis on renewable energy development, including hydropower, solar power, and green hydrogen. The party aims to strengthen energy security and position Nepal as a clean energy exporter in South Asia. It has set a goal of doubling electricity production and per-capita consumption while reducing carbon emissions.

UML has also highlighted climate adaptation through water source protection and ecosystem conservation. It plans to use a portion of climate finance for conserving springs, rivers, wetlands, and watersheds to ensure drinking water supply. The party’s agenda includes protecting soil fertility, forests, biodiversity, and agricultural systems while maintaining balance between human activity and environmental sustainability.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party has focused on integrating climate resilience into development planning, infrastructure design, and budget processes. It has proposed approving a national climate finance strategy and strengthening climate diplomacy to secure grants and compensation from international funds. The party has also pledged to raise Nepal’s climate justice agenda more strongly at global forums and improve the country’s negotiating capacity in international climate conferences.

Other political parties, including smaller and regional groups, have also incorporated climate change into their manifestos. This reflects a growing political consensus that climate issues are shared national challenges that cannot be ignored. Parties across the political spectrum now recognize that environmental stability is closely linked with economic growth, social security, and national resilience.

Overall, the manifestos indicate that climate change has become a mainstream political issue in Nepal. Parties are increasingly connecting climate policy with agriculture, energy, infrastructure, health, and employment. The common themes include renewable energy expansion, disaster risk reduction, forest protection, climate finance mobilization, and international cooperation. These priorities reflect Nepal’s urgent need to adapt to changing environmental conditions while contributing to global emission reduction efforts.

However, experts argue that the real challenge lies in implementation. Past experiences show that many policy commitments remain limited to paper due to weak institutions, insufficient funding, and poor coordination. For climate pledges to produce real results, the next government will need to translate promises into well-funded programs, enforce environmental regulations, and strengthen local-level capacity.

In conclusion, the increasing focus on climate change in election manifestos shows that political parties are responding to public concern and environmental realities. Climate policy in Nepal is no longer only about protecting nature; it is about protecting livelihoods, economic stability, and future generations. Whether these ambitious commitments lead to meaningful change will depend on political will, effective governance, and sustained cooperation between the state, private sector, and communities.