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In 2011, the Government of Nepal made its policy on climate change public. The policy envisions a country “spared from the adverse impacts of climate change, by considering climate justice, through the pursuit of environmental conservation, human development, and sustainable development [with] all contributing toward a prosperous society”. This objective of making Nepal and Nepali society more resilient to climate change is laudable, especially as emerging evidence suggests that Nepal and its people are likely to be very vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
This report encapsulates findings of a year-long study that proposes mainstreaming climate sensitive food security indicators into Nepal Khadhya Surakshya Anugaman Pranali-NeKSAP (Nepal Food Security Monitoring System). The study uses series of consultations with World Food Programme WFP-Nepal functionaries to review indicators obtained from global literature and NeKSAP. The study analyses NeKSAP and proposed 28 indicators to assess vulnerabilities to climate change. The 28 indicators are to be used with Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM) and administered at the household level. The set of 28 indicators were pre-tested, administered and the data obtained analysed for ranking vulnerability. In addition, the study proposes 15 district level indicators referred to as Climate-Sensitive Food Security Indicators (CLIFSI).
The use of CLIFSI data helps rank Nepal’s region in assessing vulnerability to climate change. By incorporating CLIFSI, NeKSAP will be strengthened and become useful for planning and policy making in relation to climate change vulnerabilities. The paper concludes by stating that relevant agencies will find CLIFSI useful as a decision support tool to design strategies for building resilient food systems as well as to develop the capacity of local households to overcome food insecurity.
