Discussions about phasing out climate-disrupting fossil fuels and phasing in renewable energy is largely confined to few environmental and climate change experts. However, the economic blockade has made it clear that going fossil-fuel-free is not only an environmental or climate change issue for Nepal, but also a matter of survival and sovereignty. It should make Nepal shift from imported fossil fuel based economy to ecologically sustainable one.Even without the blockade, we are neck deep in crisis since import to export ratio is about 8:1. Fossil fuels are costly, not to mention its health and environmental impacts.
The August 2015 agreement between India and Nepal to lay oil pipeline from Raxaul to Amlekhgunj will only exacerbate this situation. The misplaced optimism about importing dirty fossil fuel via pipeline and exporting clean hydropower to India can be aptly summarized in a popular Nepali adage: Hamri aama sarhai nai bathee chan, chamal sanga pitho po saathchan ("Our mother is so clever, she exchanged rice with flour").
While keeping fossil fuel in the ground and transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 AD is gaining momentum globally, Nepal should also pursue this path. The transition won't be easy but we should start now. This article will outline some urgent and long-term measures that Nepal can implement to break fossil fuel addiction, which is a major cause of economic dependence.
Biomass is the largest primary source of energy in Nepal. Interestingly, fossil fuel (petroleum products and coal) comprises only around 16 percent of primary energy source. The country with technical renewable energy potential of 77,949 MW (combined hydro, solar and wind) has less than one percent of its exploitable potential installed.
Clearly, inefficient biomass and economically suicidal fossil fuel should be replaced by renewable energy. But the government seems reluctant despite its avowed goal of "ten thousand MW in ten years" or "twenty five thousand MW in twenty years."
Solar energy can be a good alternative as its potential has been proven and installation is quick while hydropower and wind-power take time. Though hydropower will continue to dominate the energy mix, the share of solar can be increased rapidly by revising the subsidy policy to suit urban residents and businesses. Of course, this has to be supplemented with net-metering policy where people can sell excess electricity to the grid or buy when necessary.
Micro/mini solar grids can play an important role in addition to independent solar home systems. A financing mechanism can be created which guarantees payment to energy producers by pulling funds from national contributions and international clean energy funds like the Green Climate Fund. This will apply not only to solar but also to wind and hydropower in the long run. Export oriented hydropower projects must be avoided and generated electricity has to be utilized here to enhance the national economy.
Having ditched electric trolley bus network in Kathmandu and ropeways in several parts of the country, we have a situation where disruption of petroleum products for a week can bring transport system to a standstill. Still transport sector energy consumption is less than 10 percent of total, which means there is abundant opportunity to develop environmentally sustainable and non-motorized transport system.
Wide roads mistakenly considered 'development' not only drain government coffers but also promote vehicle-centric mobility. We need people-centric mobility where walking, cycling, busing (electric) and light rail (electric) in that order will meet mobility needs in our cities and towns. For long distance freight and passenger travel, electric rail networks should be built instead of 'fast track' roads.
Cities should be designed in such a way that essential services are within walking distance.
Widespread adoption of agro-ecological practice (both in rural and urban areas) to grow food in which chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are not required will enhance food security. We can avoid fossil fuel in processing, packaging and transporting food by bringing producers and consumers together which, in turn, will boost local economy. Even if food grown is organic, if it has to travel hundreds of miles carrying large 'food print', its organic essence is lost.
Significant amount of energy is required for pumping ground water, treating waste water and in bottling. We need to introduce solar pumps and avoid bottled water.
Building construction and operation consumes large amount of energy. Studies show that Nepal will require an additional one million urban houses between 2011 and 2021. Every year we need 117 million bricks; our cement need is rising by 10 percent a year; so housing and construction material demand has increased. Both brick and cement are highly energy intensive and cause severe air pollution.
Use of low carbon construction materials—which emit less greenhouse gases during production—that are locally available coupled with labor-intensive construction will reduce embodied energy. Operational energy can be greatly reduced by use of energy efficient electrical appliances and natural warming/cooling methods. Enabling policy is needed to adopt such materials and technologies.
Our industries currently consume just around 10 percent of the total produced energy, but as we aim to attain middle income status within the next decade, this sector will grow significantly. Growing industrial sector and manufacturing does not mean greater reliance on fossil fuel. They can use renewable energy as well. In addition, avoiding production and use of materials that embody large amount of energy and mainstreaming the culture of 'reducing, reusing, and recycling' will be important.
A consumerism which encourages waste of resources must be replaced by a culture of sharing.
The author is with Digo Bikas Institute, a research and advocacy organization committed to promote ecological sustainability and social equity at policy and community level
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