Policymaking for Urban Climate Resilience in a Multi-Level Government System

Many developing countries are grappling with rapid urbanization and climate change amidst low economic growth, regional disparities, and poor governance. Urbanization in these countries, driven mostly by rural-to-urban migration, strains cities already struggling with basic infrastructure and services, making urban populations highly vulnerable to climate hazards. Moreover, within the same regions or cities, climate vulnerability varies due to geographical and socioeconomic disparities. How effectively a country can address its climate risks is closely tied to its political system, which shapes the formulation and sustainability of climate policies and actions. This chapter explores opportunities and challenges presented by Nepal's federal political system in bolstering resilience against climate change in its urban and urbanizing areas, considering its complex topography, pace of urbanization, and prevailing regional disparities amidst limited experience with federalism. On one hand, the federal system offers a platform for tailored, context-specific climate measures as climate change concerns transcend the political boundaries of any single province or city. The system also holds promise for fostering community engagement and enhancing local resilience capacities. On the other hand, several challenges persist, including the need for effective and efficient collaboration among the levels of government in the formulation and implementation of climate change policies and plans across national, sub-national, and local levels.