Global Compact Nepal holds fourth sustainable finance PLG session

KATHMANDU: Global Compact Nepal (GCN), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), convened the fourth session of its Sustainable Finance Peer Learning Group (PLG) in Lalitpur, on Wednesday.

More than 35 representatives from private sector attended the meeting, the fourth in a six‑part monthly series aimed at helping businesses integrate sustainability and climate considerations into financial decision-making.

Organisers said the PLG provides a confidential forum for companies to share best practices and challenges on sustainability topics, with facilitated discussions and curated resources designed to foster collaboration among industry peers.

The meeting focused on the implications of Nepal’s Carbon Regulations Act and the emerging role of carbon markets as a financing and incentive mechanism. Speakers explored opportunities for private sector participation and how sustainable finance tools can support emission reductions while aligning corporate strategies with national and global climate goals.

In opening remarks, Narayan Krishna Kharel, General Secretary of GCN, underscored the value of knowledge sharing and the potential for Nepal’s private sector to be empowered through sustainable and climate finance.

Ineej Manandhar, Climate Finance Lead at UNDP, outlined emerging carbon opportunities for businesses as Nepal’s carbon market landscape evolves, and explained how companies can leverage carbon finance mechanisms to support emission reduction efforts in line with national climate commitments.

Khushbu Thapa Magar, Team Lead of the Green Unit at Nepal Investment Mega Bank (NIMB), described NIMB’s journey toward Green Climate Fund accreditation and emphasised the importance of accreditation for mobilising climate finance and strengthening institutional capacity.

The session closed with a vote of thanks from Subin Bahadur Shrestha, Vice President of Operations at GrowByData, who highlighted the company’s CSR initiatives and expressed appreciation for hosting the event and for GrowByData’s membership of Global Compact Nepal.

Organisers said the active participation and discussions reflected growing private‑sector awareness and commitment to climate finance and sustainability integration, and demonstrated a shared recognition of the role finance and investment must play in Nepal’s transition to a more sustainable and resilient economy.