KATHMANDU, APRIL 18

Since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, these questions have been lingering on people's minds: Can the world stop the transmission of this deadly disease, save lives and let life someday return to normal?

Could something good, or better, even, come from this? And, is there an opportunity to combat the virus while also addressing another urgent priority of our times: climate change?

These are unprecedented times, the like of which have not been seen for over a century. In response, the world has come together in a coordinated effort to bring this disease to heel. Central to this has been the focus on developing the COVID-19 vaccine and getting it into people's arms. This is the number one priority.

To do this, reliable and effective cold chains are needed. The World Bank can help countries bring an end to the pandemic and strengthen health infrastructure, while ensuring climate resilience and reducing the carbon footprint.

Many countries are facing climate-related risks including extreme heat hazards and more frequent and intense weather events.

A version of this article appears in the print on April 19, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.