Conserving Rivers though Strategic Trade-off Analyses, Nepal
The Challenge
Identify which ecosystem economic and social-cultural values are associated with rivers in Nepal. Use the derived information to inform strategic decisions about where to develop Nepal’s hydropower potential with least impact, while meeting the country’s renewable energy targets.
The NatCap solution
We developed new methods to evaluate the status of river ecosystems on a national scale for Nepal, particularly related to assessing sediment transport and water quality. We also participated in the development of a novel framework that optimizes for both energy system and environmental objectives (sediment transport, water quality, and other indicators). The results of this work informed national-level energy systems planning, especially related to national conservation objectives such as maintaining a free-flowing Karnali River.
Partners: WWF International, WWF Nepal, NatCap. Collaborator: Lawrence Berkeley Labs. Funder: USAID.