Carbon and Climate Unit: Climate Sensitising Nepal’s Renewable Energy Sector

Given the high potential for renewable energy technologies (RETs) to contribute to both climate mitigation and adaptation, it is increasingly important to address climate change issues when planning for RET dissemination. However, sustainable utilisation of Nepal’s available energy resources will only be possible if planning is carried out at the local level with the involvement of the related stakeholders.

To address this, the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) and SNV in consultation with a number of experts in the field of energy and climate have designed a district-level, multi-sector approach to renewable energy planning that is anticipatory and reactive to climate issues.

The Carbon and Climate Unit (CCU), financed by DFID, supports RE-related carbon finance activities and prepares and implements District Climate and Energy Plans (DCEPs) at local level. The overall objective of the CCU is to improve the coordination and efficiency of the CDM registration process and increase knowledge of carbon finance in Nepal.

DCEPs are designed to build on existing planning processes that are sensitised to the potential impacts of climate change. A DCEP aims to incorporate low carbon activities into local energy practices, but also to scope out energy adaptation needs and opportunities at district level. It seeks to provide an integrated approach linking the demand for renewable energy technologies with the potential of these technologies for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Implementation of the DCEP requires linkage of supply and demand for technologies, building public-private sector partnerships and ensuring access to finance.

The report includes scope of work, progress of the programme, experiences and lessons learned and a list of CCU publications.