KATHMANDU, JUNE 17
Air pollution is the leading cause of death and disability in Nepal, with the Kathmandu Valley and Terai identified as the country's pollution hotspots, according to a new World Bank report released on Tuesday.
The report titled "Towards Clean Air in Nepal: Benefits, Pollution Sources, and Solutions" reveals that single-sector efforts are insufficient to achieve clean air targets. Instead, public policy and investments must prioritize cross-sector solutions with the most cost-effective outcomes.
The World Bank estimates that air pollution in Nepal shortens life expectancy by 3.4 years on average and causes around 26,000 premature deaths annually. Beyond health impacts, poor air quality also affects labor productivity, tourism, and aviation, costing the economy more than six percent of its GDP each year.
"Clean air and economic growth are not in conflict. In fact, the cost of inaction on pollution is far greater than the cost of taking bold steps today," said Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri. "From setting stricter industrial emission standards to promoting electric transport, the government is committed to cleaning Nepal's air."
Key areas for action outlined in the report include:
Vehicle Emissions: Electrifying vehicle fleets-including buses, trucks, and two-wheelers-along with improved vehicle inspection systems and road dust control.
Industrial Emissions: Promoting cleaner technologies and fuels, especially in brick kilns and cement factories.
Household Cooking: Supporting a shift to cleaner cookstoves, particularly electric models, to reduce indoor and ambient air pollution.
Forest Fires: Strengthening prevention efforts through awareness and response systems to reduce fire risks.
Transboundary Pollution: Enhancing cooperation with neighboring countries to address pollutants that travel across borders, particularly in the shared airshed of the Indo-Gangetic Plain and Himalayan Foothills.
Nepal's unique topography-especially the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley-traps pollutants and worsens the impact of poor air quality, the report said.
"The World Bank is committed to helping Nepal strengthen its air quality improvement programs by leveraging financial and technical assistance and capacity-building support," said David Sislen, World Bank Country Division Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. "As a steadfast champion of clean air for better health and prosperity, the World Bank continues to tap into its extensive knowledge and experience from around the world to ensure that our efforts to support cleaner air in Nepal are impactful and sustainable."
