ADB_book_18 April.qxp - Himalayan Document Centre - icimod

Hydrogen Energy—A Brighter Option for NepalEnergy is a vital input to the national economy and wellbeing of people. Normally, economic growth requires more useof energy. Current patterns of energy use result in emissions of pollutants. Local-level pollutants such as carbonmonoxide, suspended particles, and hydrocarbons degrade air quality and damage health. Sulfur dioxides and nitrogenoxides are examples of regional level pollutants that contribute to acid deposition, which can damage vegetation such asforests and crops, and human-made structures. Large increases in emissions may occur during the next 20 to 50 years ifcurrent trends persist. Air pollution has become a priority issue in most countries in Asia.At present sustainable energy is of increasing interest in the region. The rapid growth of atmospheric environmentalissues along with the fear of energy shortages is creating a consensus about the potential benefits of hydrogen fromrenewable energy sources. These interesting perspectives are further supported by the development of key technologies,such as renewable energy sources, advanced production processes, and fuel cell vehicles. This provides an idealopportunity to introduce a hydrogen economy in Nepal. Nepal is one of the top five countries in the world in terms ofhydroelectric production potential. Nepal could provide the opportunity to introduce emission-free production of hydrogenenergy not only to the country but for the whole region. In addition, Nepal has the added advantage of cheap labor whichcan support the production of hydrogen at an affordable price. The economic and environmental benefits of hydrogenenergy could also help to reduce poverty by creating domestic jobs and providing electricity beyond the national power grid.Source: A project proposal by UNEP RRC.AP.and use, and poor condition of vehicles and trafficmanagement are among the reasons for increasingemissions in Nepal. Biomass burning for cooking andspace heating is a source of indoor air pollution andresultant health effects. Though long-term data onpollution are lacking, available information revealsthat the nature and extent of air pollution is serious inmajor urban areas and in the hill regions of Nepal.Air pollutants also contribute to the developingproblem of climate change, although it is notpossible to assess to what extent. At the same time,climate change will itself have an impact on thepattern and extent of air pollution.As Nepal imports petrol, it should start demandinglow benzene petrol. It should also emphasizezero-emission electric vehicles such as trolley bussesand Safa tempo. In the long term, Nepal should optfor hydrogen energy which will benefit the countryboth economically and environmentally. Though thecapital investment cost is higher at the beginning,this would be repaid in the long run.Raising awareness is another fundamentalmeasure to curb air pollution. This can be donethrough hands-on workshops, seminars, and sitevisits. However, the media should play a key role inthe overall strategy. Media coverage of key messagesthat need to be delivered to primary stakeholderswould reinforce the importance of those messages.At the same time, using the media ensures that thesemessages reach the general public as well, serving asinformation as well as reinforcing the importance ofthose messages.Along with awareness raising, capacity buildingis equally important. Scientific information remainsthe basis for any pollution-control efforts, andcapacity building of both institutions and individualsis vital. The contemporary view of capacity buildinggoes beyond the conventional perception of training.The central concerns of air quality management tomanage change, to resolve conflict, to manageinstitutional pluralism, to enhance coordination, tofoster communication, to develop a strong credibledatabase, and to ensure that data and informationare shared—require a broad and holistic view ofcapacity development, which is still poor in Nepaland needs to be strengthened.BibliographyAdhikari, A.P. 1998. Urban and Environmental Planning inNepal: Analysis, Polices and Proposals. Kathmandu:The World Conservation Union (IUCN).Adhikari, D.P. 1997. “Energy and EnvironmentalImplications of Alternative Transport Options: TheCase of Kathmandu, Nepal.” Unpublished M. Eng.Thesis, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok.Agrawala, S., V. Raksakulthai, M. Aalst, P. Larsen, J. Smith,and J. Reynolds. 2003. Development and ClimateChange In Nepal: Focus On Water Resources andHydropower. Paris: Organisation for Economic Cooperationand Development. Available:http://www.oecd.org/ dataoecd/6/51/19742202.pdfAnchorage Daily News. 2005. “Scientists Link WarmerWeather to Beetle Outbreak.” September 11.Available: http://www.fire.uni-freiburg.de/media/2005/news_20050912_us2.htmAsian Institute of Technology (AIT). undated. “Energy,Environment and Climate Change Issues: Nepal.” Astudy by the Asian Regional Research Programme inEnergy, Environment and Climate, Bangkok.Basnyat, P., R.N. Bhattarai, and S.K. Mishra. 2004. “Use ofEarth Air Tunnel HVAC System in Minimising IndoorAir Pollution.” Paper presented at the Workshop onBetter Air Quality (BAQ) 2004, 6–8 December, Agra,Chapter 7: Air Pollution and Climate Change97