The Nepal Weekly 
May 20, 2025
Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli unveiling of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0) at Sagarmatha Sambaad
The Government of Nepal has endorsed the Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), a draft outlining the country’s climate action plan for the period up to 2035. This NDC, approved by a cabinet meeting, aims to disseminate a positive message regarding Nepal’s commitment to climate justice. The NDC 3.0 builds upon previous NDCs, incorporates sustainable goals, and focuses on mobilizing domestic and international financial resources for climate action.
The cabinet meeting held on two days prior of the commencement of Sagarmatha Sambaad on Wednesday endorsed the NDC draft prepared by the Ministry of Forests and Environment. The Third NDC 3.0 has given value on considering to disseminate an influential message in Sagarmatha Sambaad 2025 held during 16th to 18th May.
Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, said that disseminating the message about approval of NDC draft is considered to increase Nepal’s credibility towards its commitment to fulfil climate goals.
“Important international conferences like the Sagarmatha Sambaad bring together international partners, donor agencies, and climate justice activists. “Disseminating the message that we have approved the NDC will increase Nepal’s credibility in fulfilling its commitments to climate goals,” Minister Shahi Thukri had mentioned.
The process for approval was advanced by collecting opinions and suggestions from stakeholders on the draft.
Earlier Nepal had submitted prepared the NDC in accordance with goals set in the Paris Agreement which has the provision that all party countries have to submit their NDC in every five years. Nepal had submitted its first NDC in 2016 and second in 2020. The NDC-3 has been prepared with a goal of submitting it by 2025.
NDC 3.0, the valuable document incorporates sustainable goals, mobilization of domestic and international financial sources and climate implementation plan up to local levels covering the period up to 2035.
The Paris Agreement of the 21st COP aims to limit the increase in global average temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius and to prevent it from exceeding 2 degrees Celsius. To achieve these goals, the parties to the Paris Agreement must submit nationally determined contributions every five years.
The provision in the Paris Agreement to limit global average temperature rise to 1.5°C results in lower risks for Nepal when compared to 2°C or higher temperatures. Nepal’s climate-sensitive geography, and vulnerable socio-economic conditions make the country highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures have intensified both slow-onset events (increasing temperature, glacier melting, loss of biodiversity) and extreme events (floods, drought, landslides, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, fires and heatwaves), severely affecting lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure. Nepal aspires to avoid the residual risks of climate change through strengthened adaptation and resilience-building. However, it also recognizes that not all risks are avoidable, and in such cases, seeks to address loss and damage through international finance.
Nepal has prepared its NDC in accordance with the provision that all party countries must submit their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) within a five-year period, as per the goals set in the Paris Agreement.
The third NDC covers the period up to 2035, while the first and second NDCs aim to meet the targets for 2025 and 2030.
The Paris Agreement of the 21st COP aims to limit the increase in global average temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius and to prevent it from exceeding 2 degrees Celsius. To achieve these goals, the parties to the Paris Agreement must submit nationally determined contributions every five years.
Nepal’s NDC 3.0 aims to significantly expand renewable energy technologies, primarily focusing on hydropower, solar, and wind energy. The NDC also includes targets for biogas and improved cooking stoves to reduce reliance on fossil fuels for cooking. Specifically, Nepal plans to increase renewable electricity generation to 14,031 MW by 2030 and 28,500 MW by 2035, with a portion from variable renewable sources like micro- and mini-hydropower, solar, and wind.
The goal is to make 95 percent of private vehicles electric by 2035 and to increase the use of electric public transport to 90 percent by 2035. The third NDC aims to operate a 50 km electric bus, trolley and rail system in the Kathmandu Valley.
The commitment document mentions ambitious targets for electric transportation, aiming to increase the share of electric vehicles in the transport sector. Specifically, it aims to increase sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to 90% and 95% by 2030 and 2035, respectively, for all private passenger vehicles. Additionally, it plans to develop 200 km of electric rail network by 2030 and 300 km by 2035. The NDC also includes targets for integrated electric bus, trolley, and light rail transit systems in Kathmandu Valley.
Similarly, by 2035, all iron and steel industries have been converted to electric furnaces and the cement industry has been targeted to use 35 percent bioenergy as fuel.
Nepal’s Nationally Determined Contribution 3 (NDC 3) includes targets for the sustainable use of biomass energy, aiming to integrate it into the energy mix while reducing reliance on traditional firewood and fossil fuels. Specifically, Nepal plans to use bioenergy in certain industries and to increase the use of electricity-based boilers, reducing the overall consumption of biomass energy. Additionally, Nepal is focused on promoting modern and efficient biomass energy technologies to improve the efficiency and reduce emissions associated with biomass use.
Under the agriculture and forestry sector, there is a target of constructing 500,000 improved cattle sheds by 2035, protecting 46.08 percent of the forest area and improving forest management.
The goal is to establish 200 climate-friendly farms by 2030 and 100 climate-friendly villages by 2035. The goal is to expand irrigation facilities to 753,000 hectares.
According to the government’s plan, urban resilience and quality of life improvement initiatives will be integrated into municipal infrastructure and governance systems in seven municipal areas by 2030.
Similarly, the goal is to protect Nepal’s historical, cultural, and religious heritage sites by 2035, with special attention being paid to World Heritage Sites.
Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) are at the heart of the Paris Agreement and the achievement of its long-term goals. NDCs embody efforts by each country to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Paris Agreement (Article 4, paragraph 2) requires each Party to prepare, communicate and maintain successive nationally determined contributions (NDCs) that it intends to achieve. Parties shall pursue domestic mitigation measures, with the aim of achieving the objectives of such contributions.
Moreover, the Paris Agreement stresses that each party must prepare its own determined contribution. The agreement requires each country to prepare and implement a roadmap for its climate action after 2020. That roadmap is called the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
