Kathmandu: Air pollution has emerged as the leading risk factor for death and disability in Nepal, highlighting the need for comprehensive approaches across various sectors to improve air quality.
According to World Bank, single-sector solutions fall short of achieving clean air targets, necessitating public policy and investment optimization to prioritize the most cost-effective measures.
The World Bank’s report, “Towards Clean Air in Nepal: Benefits, Pollution Sources, and Solutions,” provides a foundational assessment of air pollution in the country and the broader Indo-Gangetic Plain and Himalayan Foothills region. The report identifies the Kathmandu Valley and the Terai as hotspots of air pollution, with little improvement observed over the past decade. Air pollution in Nepal is responsible for reducing life expectancy by 3.4 years on average and causes approximately 26,000 premature deaths annually. Beyond health, the effects of air pollution extend to labor productivity, tourism, and the aviation sector, with an economic cost exceeding 6 percent of Nepal’s Gross Domestic Product each year.
Addressing industrial emissions through cleaner technologies and fuels, such as electric and pellet boilers in small and medium enterprises, is a critical step. Facilities like brick and cement factories require support to adopt cleaner and more efficient fuels. In households, transitioning to cleaner or electric cookstoves is vital to mitigate air pollution from biomass-fueled stoves. Additionally, forest fire prevention through fuel load reduction and awareness programs is crucial, alongside effective response systems for extinguishing fires.
The issue of transboundary pollution necessitates cooperation with neighboring countries, as shared airsheds allow pollutants to travel across borders, impacting regional air quality. Nepal’s unique geography, particularly the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley surrounded by mountains, exacerbates air pollution challenges.
David Sislen, World Bank Country Division Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, emphasized the organization’s commitment to supporting Nepal in strengthening its air quality improvement programs. The World Bank aims to leverage financial and technical assistance, along with capacity-building support, to promote cleaner air in Nepal, drawing from its global knowledge and experience to ensure the sustainability and impact of these efforts.