KATHMANDU – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nepal has appointed renowned climbers Nima Rinji Sherpa and Purnima Shrestha as its first official climate influencers, aiming to raise awareness on climate justice and the urgent need for action in Nepal’s fragile Himalayan region.

The announcement, made on Wednesday, marks the launch of UNDP Nepal’s social media campaign #GenClima (shortened as #GENC), which seeks to spotlight young leaders driving gender-responsive climate initiatives. The campaign also aims to highlight the disproportionate effects of climate change on vulnerable populations—particularly women and indigenous communities.

The campaign draws from a 2020 study by UNDP and ICIMOD, which identified 2,323 glacial lakes in Nepal, 47 of which are classified as highly vulnerable to glacial lake outburst floods. These findings underscore the urgency of protecting the Himalayan region, a key component of the global glacial system.

UNDP Nepal Resident Representative Kyoko Yokosuka described climate change as not just an environmental issue but a matter of social justice.

As part of their roles, the influencers will participate in immersive storytelling, community outreach, and global advocacy to drive home the urgency of climate action in forums like the Sagarmatha Sambad—Nepal’s international dialogue platform for mountain issues.

This partnership, according to UNDP Nepal, signifies a strategic push toward inclusive climate policymaking, resilience building, and intergenerational dialogue to preserve Nepal’s mountains for future generations.