Nepal Turns to Nature for Climate Justice

Why this is here: Bio-dykes, environmentally friendly flood defenses, offer an alternative to costly concrete structures, binding soil and maintaining natural river flow.

In Nepal, communities are increasingly employing nature-based solutions to address climate injustice and its impacts on agriculture, water resources, and disaster risk. Climate change disproportionately affects Indigenous peoples, Dalits, women, and Madhesi communities already facing marginalization. These groups experience increased vulnerability to floods, droughts, and displacement while having limited influence over resource allocation.

Nature-based solutions—like restoring forests and wetlands—offer locally driven approaches to reduce disaster risks and strengthen resilience. Bioengineering techniques stabilize slopes and protect riverbanks, while traditional practices like shifting cultivation contribute to carbon sequestration. These solutions can also create green jobs in forestry, eco-tourism, and compost production.

Examples extend beyond Nepal. Bangladesh utilizes floating gardens, Sudan employs water harvesting, and both countries leverage mangrove forests for coastal protection.

However, less than one percent of global climate finance reaches Indigenous populations, hindering widespread implementation and long-term success. The work to equitably fund and scale these solutions continues.