Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As we move forward in a rapidly shifting global context, the strength of our network lies in its ability to connect local action with regional and global advocacy. The recent Nepal National Steering Committee meeting reaffirmed our collective focus on shaping a strong South Asian narrative — from advancing the Citizen Assessment Report and Just Transition work, to strengthening city-level climate action and engaging more deeply in global processes on the road to COP31.
At the same time, CANSA welcomes India’s updated NDC 3.0, which reinforces regional confidence that climate ambition and development can advance together, and sets an important benchmark for South Asia.
Across the region, our members continue to demonstrate what grounded, people-centric climate action looks like — whether through community-led resilience dialogues, youth leadership, knowledge creation, innovative climate finance mechanisms, or efforts to centre children, gender, and local voices in climate responses.
Together, these efforts reinforce a shared truth: climate solutions in South Asia must be locally rooted, regionally connected, and globally heard. As CANSA, we remain committed to amplifying these voices and ensuring that equity, justice, and lived realities shape the climate agenda ahead.
In solidarity,
Dr. Sanjay Vashist
Director, Climate Action Network South Asia
CANSA WELCOMES INDIA’S NDC 3.0
Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA) welcomes India’s updated NDC 3.0 as a strong signal that climate ambition and development can advance together. At a time of global uncertainty, India’s continued leadership — backed by overachievement of earlier targets and enhanced commitments on emissions, clean energy, and carbon sinks — builds regional confidence. For South Asia, it reinforces a vital message: a just, low-carbon future is both necessary and achievable.
NSC NEPAL
CANSA Nepal National Steering Committee Meets to Advance Climate Priorities Ahead of COP31
The meeting of the Nepal chapter of Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA) focused on advancing key national and regional climate priorities. Members agreed to develop the third iteration of the Citizen Assessment Report and a dedicated Just Transition paper, both of which will contribute to shaping the South Asian narrative and advocacy on the road to COP31 and beyond.
The need to strengthen municipal-level climate action in Nepal was also discussed, including conducting an analysis of the city-level climate finance gap, organising roundtable discussions, and holding a national consultation to advocate for integrating the role of cities in enhancing and implementing NDCs.
Members also discussed the upcoming first-ever transitioning away from fossil fuels conference in Santa Marta and explored possible ways to develop national recommendations to amplify ahead of and during the conference. CANSA leadership shared an initiative to form a regional task force to prepare a guiding note on displacement, loss, and damage, with a focus on climate migration.
Additionally, members agreed to actively engage in the CAN working groups to ensure that Southern voices are well represented in global discussions.
WEBINAR
Strategic Perspectives 2026: South Asia Partner Consultation on Climate Politics
On 19 March 2026, Misereor, with its Asia and Oceania Department and regional partners, convened a virtual consultation on “Challenges and Opportunities for National and International Climate Politics.” Participants from across South Asia examined shifting global climate dynamics, including strained multilateralism, declining climate finance, and fossil fuel influence. The discussion underscored the need for stronger regional collaboration and adaptive strategies to influence policy processes. It also helped identify shared priorities and strategic pathways to advance climate ambition at local, national, and global levels, marking the start of an ongoing, collaborative strategy development process. Read more here.
NEW MEMBERS THIS QUARTER
Saraswati Sevabhavi Sanstha, Bhatwagaon, India
Website not available
We wish our new members a warm welcome to the CANSA family!
CANSA IN THE NEWS
MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES IN THE SPOTLIGHT
At the Delhi Climate Innovation Week hosted at TERI School of Advanced Studies, Humanitarian Aid International convened a panel on shifting from aid-driven responses to community-led resilience. Moderated by Rajeev Kumar Jha, the discussion highlighted structural gaps in disaster systems and the need to integrate community knowledge, policy, and funding.
Speakers emphasised that communities are first responders and key to long-term resilience. The panel called for hyper-local planning, stronger participation, and mainstreaming resilience across sectors, urging a shift toward prevention and preparedness in climate action and institutional design.
Released: Two Climate Books
Authored by Rituraj Phukan of Indigenous People’s Climate Justice Forum
Climate Justice 101: Empowering Community Leadership is a 380-page book designed to be used as a textbook for a new course at Bhattadev University, as well as a comprehensive guide and reference book about the evolution of the climate justice movement. The book has been reviewed by the US-based Climate Value Exchange and in the February 2026 issue of Sanctuary Asia.
Both books are available on Amazon.
This handbook was launched at the International Youth Sustainability Festival 4.0 at the Symbiosis Institute of Management, Pune on February 20. The book published by Mahabahu Climate Forum was released by H.E. Jigmed Wangchuk Namgyal, King of Ladakh, Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro-Chancellor, Symbiosis International University, Padma Shri Jadav Payeng, Forest Man of India, Dr. Ramakrishna Raman, VC – Symbiosis International Deemed University, Padma Shri Dr. Sharad Kale, Head of Technology Transfer, BARC, Dr. Shashikala Gurpur, Director, Symbiosis Law School, Pune, Dr. Soumitra Das, Chairman of Healthy Climate Initiative and Shivam Singh, Founder of ExploreIT, the initiator of India’s largest youth-focused festival.
Chrysalis Sri Lanka – Case Study on Climate Risk Revolving Fund
CDRFI (Climate Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance) – CRRF (Climate Risk Revolving Fund) Case Study, published in January 2026, which highlights how CRRF responded to the recent Cyclone Dithwah and its impact on M/SMEs in Sri Lanka.
In Sri Lanka, MSMEs—contributing ~52% of GDP—face rising climate risks from floods, droughts, cyclones, and landslides. Events like Cyclone Ditwah caused US$4.1 billion in damage, affecting ~30,000 businesses. In response, Chrysalis launched the Climate Resilience Revolving Fund (CRRF), offering quick recovery loans of LKR 100,000 through multi-stakeholder partnerships. Loans are approved within 3–10 days, enabling rapid recovery and continuity. Across four districts, 179 SMEs—including many women-led enterprises—are engaged, demonstrating a scalable, inclusive model for climate risk financing and resilient livelihoods.
Read the full case study here.
CANSA Afghanistan at the Green Legacy Tree Plantation Campaign in Kabul
On 10 March 2026, The Liaison Office (TLO) launched the Green Legacy Tree Plantation Campaign in Kabul, bringing together communities, partners, and institutions for a shared environmental cause. With active participation from CANSA Afghanistan, volunteers, students, and stakeholders, the event inspired collective action through tree planting and awareness. The campaign will support the plantation of 425,000 trees across Afghanistan, including in schools and public spaces, motivating communities to work together to protect and restore the environment for future generations.
In February 2026, People, Energy & Environment Development Association (PEEDA) conducted a four-day capacity-building training under the RECAP Project in Lumbini. Titled “Foundational Knowledge on Climate Change and Gender Dimensions,” it brought together 29 participants from civil society, local government, and communities. The training strengthened climate knowledge while promoting gender-responsive approaches. It equipped grassroots actors to address erratic rainfall, floods, and landslides, highlighting the vital role of CSOs in enabling inclusive, community-driven climate resilience. Read more here.
At Children & Climate, Terre des hommes placed children at the centre of climate discourse. Convened in New Delhi, the platform brought stakeholders together to examine links between climate change, child protection, health, migration, and development. Discussions highlighted that children, despite contributing least to climate change, are most affected — facing disrupted education, migration, and rising vulnerabilities. The convening emphasised integrated, climate-responsive approaches, hyperlocal data, and cross-sector collaboration. Children’s voices were central, including youth testimonies and a photovoice exhibition. The event also launched Growing Up in the Frontlines of the Climate Crises, with plans to institutionalise the platform annually.
Nepal is advancing climate resilience through Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPA) under its Sixteenth Plan (2024/25—2028/29). Through the Localization of Climate Action Project (LoCAP), PEEDA supported the formulation of gender-responsive LAPAs in Sarumarani and Mandavi Rural Municipalities of Pyuthan from September 2025 to February 2026. A mixed-method approach combined desk reviews, 67 community-level focus group discussions, 22 ward-level workshops, and 2 municipal workshops, along with participatory tools and GIS/DHM data analysis. In total, 1,638 people participated (45% women). Over 700 adaptation actions were identified in Sarumarani and 650+ in Mandavi, aligned with Nepal’s National Adaptation Plan (2021) and contributing to inclusive, climate-resilient communities and SDGs.
The ClimAct Initiative marked a significant milestone with the graduation of its flagship Climate Leadership Programme (CLP) on March 14, 2026. This six-month fellowship is designed to support young people (18–30) in launching impactful careers in the climate space.
The event featured a powerful keynote by Dia Mirza, who highlighted the growing momentum of youth-led climate action: “All over the world, young voices are refusing to accept that ecological destruction is inevitable. They are asking difficult questions, they are challenging systems, but most importantly, they are building solutions rooted in justice & compassion… leadership does not emerge by accident—it must be nurtured through knowledge, mentorship, and community.”
The keynote was followed by an engaging panel discussion on “Overcoming Systemic Barriers for Youth in Climate Leadership”, featuring Prachi Shevgaonkar, Tanaya Patnaik, and Heeta Lakhani. Watch the full event here.
Pre-registrations for the next CLP cohort are now open!
Indian youth interested in kickstarting their climate journey can apply here.
We hope you enjoyed this edition. Thanks to all those who submitted their stories. We look forward to hearing from more of you for our forthcoming issues.
