Applying a Climate Justice Framework to Understand Inequities in Urban Water Governance Amid Climate Change Challenges in Nepal

Gyanu Maskey, Poshendra Satyal, Monika Giri, Prajal Pradhan

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Abstract

This chapter provides empirical case studies of two Himalayan towns of Nepal – Dhulikhel and Diktel, focusing on equity and justice in (drinking) water governance, which impacted water security. We investigate the differential impacts of climate change on different local social groups and their ongoing responses to the impacts taking the case of water governance and water security. The findings of the study clearly revealed that climate change and its associated impacts on the lives of people have further exacerbated the existing inequalities among the social groups – the access to drinking water for the marginalized social groups further declined because of drying of water sources and other disasters affecting the availability of water. Based on these empirical facts, this chapter highlights the need to develop an interdisciplinary approach to advance a research and policy agenda on climate justice and disaster risk management (with valuable insights from elsewhere). We conclude that a climate justice framework is needed in the context of Nepal that considers distributional, capabilities, procedural, and recognition issues and aspects of vulnerability, resilience, and adaptive capacity. Based on the findings of the study, we also complicate the current debate around climate justice in Nepal, and how can they be applied in research and development interventions related to climate change (for adaptation) and disasters. This would help to understand which dimension of climate justice gets priority and more traction in Nepal than others amid the dynamics of social differences.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEnvironmental Justice in Nepal
Subtitle of host publicationOrigins, Struggles, and Prospects
EditorsJonathan K London, Jagannath Adhikari, Thomas Robertson
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter22
Pages235-247
Number of pages14
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9781003371175
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16-Oct-2024

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