2015-04-27-世界卫生组织-Review_of_Policy_Documents_on_Climate_Change,_WASH_and_Public_Health_in_Nepal_47页_444kb

Summary of Policy Review on Climate Change, WASH and Public Health in Nepal

Core Content

This document presents a comprehensive review of existing policy documents in Nepal related to Climate Change (CC), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and public health, with a focus on developing a climate-resilient WASH sector. It outlines the findings, policy gaps, and recommendations to integrate climate change considerations into WASH and health policies.

Main Objectives

• Review national and international policy documents on Climate Change, WASH, and public health.
• Identify gaps and weaknesses in current policies.
• Propose recommendations for policy updates to enhance climate resilience in the WASH sector.
• Develop strategic actions for climate-resilient WASH implementation.

Key Findings from the Review

WASH Sector Policies

• The main WASH policy documents include:
  • Water Resource Act (1992)
  • Water Supply Regulations (1998)
  • Rural Water Supply Policy (2005)
  • Urban Water Supply Policy (2009)
  • Design Guidelines (2002)
  • National Drinking Water Quality Standards (NDWQS) and Directives (2005)
  • Water Plan (2005)
• These documents are generally outdated, fragmented, or insufficient in addressing climate change.
• The WASH sector is working on an umbrella Act, Policy, and Sector Development Plan (SDP) in line with JSR-II (2014) recommendations.
• Design guidelines and NDWQS are undergoing revision to meet current needs.

Climate Change Documents

• Key climate change policy documents include:
  • National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) 2010
  • Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPA) 2011
  • Climate Change Policy 2011
• These documents emphasize adaptation and resilience but do not fully integrate WASH and health as priority sectors.
• Climate change issues were not prominently addressed in earlier WASH policies, with focus only beginning after 2010.

Health Sector Policies

• The National Health Sector Plan (NHSP-II) includes WASH as an essential component of public health services.
• There is no dedicated unit for environmental health or climate change within the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP).
• MoHP is expected to address climate change more clearly in NHSP-III (starting in 2015).

Policy Gaps

• Fragmentation: WASH policies are fragmented at the national level.
• Climate Change Integration: Most existing documents do not adequately address climate change impacts.
• Lack of Specific Focus: There is no explicit focus on climate-resilient WASH technologies or systems.
• Insufficient Risk Assessment: Policies lack detailed climate risk assessments and adaptation strategies for WASH and health sectors.
• Need for Coordination: There is a need for better coordination between different sectors and agencies to address climate change in a holistic manner.

Recommendations for Policy Update

General Recommendations

• Revise and update all relevant WASH, Health, and Climate Change policy documents to incorporate climate change considerations.
• Develop a dedicated Environment and Climate Change Division within the lead WASH agency (DWSS) to coordinate with other relevant ministries and agencies.
• Establish a dedicated unit for environmental health within the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) with a focal person on climate change.
• Develop a unified framework for climate-resilient WASH that integrates climate change into sector policies and plans.

Specific Recommendations

1. Prepare climatic zones for rainfall and temperature projections based on current trends and reliable RCPs.
2. Develop a system for monitoring surface and groundwater sources to ensure long-term sustainability.
3. Revise design guidelines and NDWQS to reflect current needs and climate resilience.
4. Integrate climate risk assessment and adaptation into water supply and sanitation systems.
5. Develop community-based local adaptation plans in line with LAPA and NAPA.
6. Promote low-energy and low-carbon technologies for water and sanitation systems.
7. Conduct implementation research to address information gaps in climate-resilient WASH.
8. Create a business plan for climate-resilient WASH with clear monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
9. Strengthen coordination among key ministries and agencies through existing WASH coordination committees.
10. Align WASH policies with international standards and principles on climate change and disaster risk reduction (DRR).

Strategic Areas for Climate Resilient WASH

Implementation Mechanism

• A dedicated Environment and Climate Change Division within the lead WASH agency (DWSS) is recommended.
• Coordination with the Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MoSTE), and other relevant stakeholders is essential.
• The review findings should be integrated into existing policy documents and used to develop working guidelines and sector development plans.
• Feedback from key forums such as the Project Coordination Committee (PCC) and Thematic Working Group (TWG) should be incorporated.

Conclusion

Nepal is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its low economic development and complex geography. The WASH sector is currently fragmented and lacks a clear integration of climate change considerations. To address this, the review recommends a comprehensive policy update, the development of climate-resilient strategies, and the establishment of dedicated units and coordination mechanisms. These actions are essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of WASH systems in the face of climate change.

Key Documents Reviewed

• Water Resource Act (1992)
• Water Supply Regulations (1998)
• Rural Water Supply Policy (2005)
• Urban Water Supply Policy (2009)
• Design Guidelines (2002)
• National Drinking Water Quality Standards (NDWQS) and Directives (2005)
• Water Plan (2005)
• National Health Sector Plan (NHSP-II)
• Climate Change Policy (2011)
• National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) 2010
• Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA) 2011

Strategic Actions for Climate Resilient WASH

• Develop a climate-resilient water safety plan.
• Revise and update existing policy documents.
• Implement community-based adaptation plans.
• Promote low-energy and low-carbon technologies.
• Establish monitoring and forecasting systems for water sources.
• Strengthen institutional coordination and capacity.
• Develop a unified policy framework for climate-resilient WASH.

Guideline for Climate Resilient Water Safety Plan

• Include climate projections in water safety planning.
• Identify and prioritize vulnerable locations and populations.
• Incorporate climate risk assessment into water and sanitation system design.
• Ensure community participation in adaptation planning.
• Integrate climate change considerations into all stages of policy development and implementation.

Key Points from Climate Change Documents

• Climate change is a growing concern for Nepal, especially in the context of water and sanitation.
• Existing climate policies emphasize adaptation but lack specific focus on WASH.
• NAPA and LAPA provide a framework for adaptation, but WASH is not yet a dedicated priority.
• There is a need for stronger integration of WASH and health into climate policies.
• Climate change is expected to impact water availability, quality, and sanitation systems, increasing health risks.