Although developing countries have a less direct impact on global warming, in the last few decades, climate change has tremendously impacted the glacier ecosystem in the Nepalese Himalayas. It is widely held that climate change is the main factor behind accelerated glacier retreat.
Sagarmatha National Park and Kangchenjunga Conservation Area are in great danger of Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) events. This area has already experienced five such events. Continued climate change will cause major changes in freshwater flows with dramatic and adverse impacts on biodiversity, people, and livelihoods.
To address the issues of climate change in Nepal and to begin necessary action, WWF Nepal initiated the Climate Change Program in August 2003.
For developing countries like Nepal, climate change is not just an environmental phenomenon but also an economic, social and political issue. Nepal is among the most vulnerable countries on earth with regard to climate change, yet the level of understanding and awareness on the issue is very limited.
Within a year, the Climate Change Program was able to develop a new and concrete regional Himalayan Glacier and Rivers Project with the involvement of WWF-India and WWF-China to research the Khumbu and Nguzumpa glacier in Nepal, and Dokirani, Gangotri and Chhota Shigri Glacier in India.
WWF-China will focus on the climate change impact on the water source of the Yangtze River in the Tibetan Plateau. This project aims to identify specific threats posed by rapidly retreating glaciers to vulnerable communities, ecosystems, and economic sectors. It will also initiate a community driven management response.
With this in mind, WWF Nepal initiated a climate witness project -Assessment of perception of local community towards adverse impact of climate change in Eastern Himalayan region.
This aims to bring realities of climate change impacts closer to the public, policy makers and supporters. The national focus areas are Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) and Kangchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA).