LocationsNepal launches National Carbon Registry to bridge climate goals and local action
April 10, 2026
Kathmandu, Nepal — The Government of Nepal, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), officially launched the National Carbon Registry, a digital platform designed to track and manage carbon market transactions. The launch, led by the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE), marks a major milestone in Nepal’s climate leadership and active participation in international carbon markets under the Paris Agreement.
Joint Launch of National Carbon Registry by Hon Minister Madhav Prasad Chaulagain, Secretary Dr. Govinda Prasad Sharma and UNDP Nepal RR Ms Kyoko Yokosuka
What is a Carbon Registry?
A carbon registry acts as a secure, official ledger for carbon credits, where each credit represents a certified unit of greenhouse gas reduction. This system ensures that every credit is authentic, uniquely identifiable, and tracked from its creation to its final use, preventing fraud and double counting. For Nepal, a credible registry is the backbone of its carbon market, building trust with global partners and unlocking new climate finance. This investment can, in turn, support local projects that reduce emissions (such as installing clean cookstoves in rural homes, protecting community forests, and expanding renewable energy) while creating green jobs and improving the well-being of communities. The Nepal National Carbon Registry has been developed based on the UNDP Digital Public Good codebase.
Partnership at the core
The high-level launch event was attended by Mr. Madhav Prasad Chaulagain, Hon’ble Minister of MoFE; Dr. Govinda Prasad Sharma, Secretary of MoFE; and Ms. Kyoko Yokosuka, Resident Representative of UNDP, alongside senior government officials, development partners, private sector representatives, and members of the media.
The National Carbon Registry serves as a cornerstone for Nepal’s carbon market, enabling the transparent registration, authorization, issuance, transfer, and retirement of carbon credits. By supporting the tracking of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs), it positions Nepal to engage effectively in markets governed by the Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Speaking at the launch, Ms. Kyoko Yokosuka highlighted the registry’s significance, describing it as the “institutional backbone” of Nepal’s carbon market architecture. She emphasized that a credible, transparent system sends a strong signal to global markets that Nepal is ready to engage in high-integrity carbon transactions that mobilize finance for sustainable development.
Dr. Govinda Prasad Sharma reflected on Nepal’s long-standing engagement in carbon markets, which began nearly two decades ago. He noted that the recent Carbon Trading Regulation provides the legal and institutional foundation, building on progress made through the LEAF Coalition and cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Korea.
UNDP RR Kyoko Yokosuka presenting on UNDP Nepal and support for development of Carbon Finance Policies and Instruments
Secretary Dr Govinda Prasad Sharma presenting on Nepal's focus on Carbon Finance Potential
Mr. Maheshwor Dhakal, Head of the Climate Change Management Division at MoFE, noted that the registry was established in line with the Carbon Trading Regulation, which also guided the development of operational procedures. As part of the launch programme, the first carbon project was officially introduced through the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), demonstrating the operational readiness of the registry and marking the beginning of real project registration under the system
Hon’ble Minister Mr. Madhav Prasad Chaulagain described the launch as a pivotal moment in Nepal’s carbon trading journey.
Dr. Maheshwor Dhakal, Head of the Climate Change Management Division at MoFE, noted that the registry was established in line with the Carbon Trading Regulation
The development of this registry was supported by the UNDP Climate Finance Network (CFN), as part of a broader effort to build institutional capacity for climate finance in the region. This work was made possible through the support of the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) CARA Programme and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
Mr. Ineej Manandhar, Climate Finance Expert, UNDP Nepal delivering a presentation on Nepal’s National Carbon Registry—highlighting its role as a cornerstone digital infrastructure for transparent carbon market transactions and operationalizing Article 6.
Looking ahead
With the core institutional infrastructure now in place—including governance arrangements and digital tracking—Nepal is positioned to unlock new streams of climate finance. The registry serves as a signal to the global community of Nepal's readiness to contribute to global climate goals through high-integrity, innovative market solutions. The launch represents not only a technical achievement, but rather Nepal’s commitment to climate action, sustainable development, and innovative solutions to global climate challenges.
