Background
The Green Transition in Nepal Portfolio focuses on moving the country towards environmentally sustainable practices and low-carbon development, aligning with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The UNDP in Nepal plays a critical role by supporting initiatives that promote clean energy, climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable urban development, and waste and water management.
In Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, a rapidly growing city in Western Nepal, the UNDP targets key areas such as:
- Sustainable urban planning and development—promoting green infrastructure and energy-efficient buildings
- Renewable energy and energy efficiency—encouraging solar power and energy efficiency
- Climate-resilient agriculture—supporting organic farming and water-efficient irrigation
- Waste management—implementing recycling and circular economy practices
- Water management—Enriching rainwater harvesting and wastewater treatment
By focusing on these areas, the Green Transition in Dhangadhi aims to create a sustainable, low-carbon economy that benefits both the environment and local communities. The UNDP helps with technical support, capacity building, and funding to ensure these initiatives are successfully implemented.
Objective of the Assignment
The Baseline Study for the Green Transition in Dhangadhi aims to assess the current environmental, social, and economic conditions in the region, providing a foundation for future interventions aimed at promoting sustainable practices. The study focused on the key drivers of environmental degradation and identified opportunities for implementing green technologies, clean energy alternatives, sustainable agriculture practices, and green urban planning in Dhangadhi.
Key areas of focus include:
- Energy consumption: identifying the sources of energy, e.g., fossil fuels vs. renewable energy, and assessing energy efficiency.
- Water management: assessing water usage, scarcity issues, and potential solutions such as rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation systems.
- Waste management: evaluating waste generation patterns, waste segregation, and recycling infrastructure.
- Biodiversity: documenting the status of local ecosystems and the impact of human activity on biodiversity.
- Community engagement: understanding local attitudes towards environmental conservation and green policies, and exploring avenues for community-led initiatives.
Key Activities and Services Provided by SWN
For this baseline study, the SWN Baseline Team utilized a mixed-methods research approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative data
Quantitative: The team conducted household surveys with a representative sample of the target population to gather statistically significant data.
Qualitative: The assessment included:
- 30 key informant interviews (KIIs) with stakeholders and community leaders.
- 16 focus group discussions (FGDs) with diverse community groups.
- 8 community consultations for broader engagement
- The stakeholder validation workshop was organized to review and confirm the findings
This combined approach ensured a comprehensive understanding of both the empirical data and diverse community perspectives.
Outcome
The study provided baseline data to support the UNDP’s Green Transition initiative, helping to guide Dhangadhi’s path toward a sustainable, low-carbon, and climate-resilient future.
