BHUTAN

Context

Climate vulnerabilities

As a least developed, mountainous and landlocked country, Bhutan is extremely vulnerable to climate change. The country's infrastructures are regularly put to the test by landslides. The rise in temperatures puts strain on livestock, agriculture and biodiversity. Due to the rapid increase in melting of glaciers, there is an increased risks of glacier-lake bursting.

National Response

Bhutan is a carbon-negative country and has internationally pledged to remain carbon-neutral, embarking on a policy of green economic development. Bhutan’s intended nationally determined contribution priority adaptation actions include:

- increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change on water security through integrated water resource management
- promoting climate-resilient agriculture to contribute towards achieving food and nutrition security
- sustainable forest management and conservation of biodiversity
- and, strengthening resilience to climate change–induced hazards.

Bhutan also is formulating its first national adaptation plan.

Notably, the Local Governance Sustainable Development Programme initiated in 2013 assists local governments in implementing block grants allocated for sustainable local community development, while developing their capacity for good governance and improved public service delivery. LoCAL support is embedded in this programme.

BHUTAN

Bhutan was one of the first countries to pilot LoCAL globally in 2011. Since then, LoCAL, though the Local Governance Support Programme, has rolled out to 100 gewogs across 16 of the country's 20 dzongkhags as part of a national scale-up undertaken in partnership with the European Union and the UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative. The LoCAL experience in Bhutan is used as a model that is being replicated in communities worldwide.

Flag

20 Dzongkaks

754,588 People

LOCAL in BHUTAN

100 Districts Engaged

157 Adaptation Investments

102,851

Beneficiaries

$1,697,241

Budget (up to 2019)

Brief

Bhutan, along with Cambodia, was the first country to pilot LoCAL. Initiated in two gewogs (village blocks) and two dzongkhags (districts) in 2011, it has since rolled out to 100+ gewogs in 16 of the country's 20 dzongkhags. LoCAL's successful integration in the Local Governance Sustainable Development Programme has been instrumental in helping local governments develop and roll-out guidelines, support climate vulnerability assessments and integrate adaptation in local government planning and awareness raising. LoCAL PBCRGs channel finance for effective climate change reslience building measures while strengthening intergovernmental fiscal transfer systems. In April 2020, the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environment Conservation (BTFEC) was accredited as the Green Climate Fund national implementing entity.

Action on Climate Change

Since 2012, over 150 small-scale investments have been realized through PBCRGs in 100 gewogs, 53 of which in 2019. The following are among the core adaptation priorities financed to date:

- Infrastructure works aimed at improving farm roads for enhanced climate resilience – this involved slope stabilization of landslide-vulnerable areas, rectification/improvement of the drainage system and construction of a causeway
- Construction of elevated bridges to overcome risks posed by swollen rivers and streams during heavy rain events
- Improvement of rural water supply schemes – this involved tapping new/additional water sources, protecting water sources and their enhancement through planting water-conserving species, upgrading water tanks to increase storage capacity, and/or replacement of water supply lines with climate-resilient materials
- Community water harvesting and improvement of irrigation systems by rehabilitating irrigation channels and installing climate-resilient pipes to distribute irrigation water more effectively and improve agricultural productivity and farm livelihoods
- Soil conservation and landslide risk mitigation works, such as planting bamboo and hedgerows and contour binding to prevent soil erosion and protect agricultural lands
- Development of stormwater drainage to mitigate flood and landslide risks to farmlands, schools, homes and other public and private properties in rural areas

Achievements

LoCAL achievements in Bhutan include:

- The Bhutan Trust Fund for Environment Conservation (BTFEC) was nominated as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) national implementing entity with a view to scaling up LoCAL. With LoCAL support, the BTFEC reached its second stage of GCF accreditation in 2019, with GCF Board approval following in April 2020
- Responded to the increasing impact of climate change on local livelihoods and livelihood assets in accordance with community prioritized needs and vulnerabilities in a sustainable manner
- Promoted robust, transparent and accountable public financial management/public expenditure management systems by providing funds to make the local planning and budgeting process meaningful, efficient, effective and participatory as well as strengthening incentives for integrating climate change adaptation needs in local investments
- Trained participating local governments to develop their knowledge and skills for integration of climate change adaptation in local development investments achievements
- Successfully scaled the mechanism: Bhutan and Cambodia were the first countries selected by LoCAL to pilot PBCRGs; their efforts served to validate the approach.
- LoCAL was initiated in 2011 in two gewogs in two dzongkhags. It has since been extended to 100 gewogs across 16 of the country’s 20 dzongkhags with budgetary support from the European Union (EU) and technical support from LoCAL.
- Successfully integrated the LoCAL mechanism in the Local Governance Sustainable Development Programme, supporting local governments in developing and rolling out guidelines, supporting climate vulnerability assessments and integration of adaptation in local development planning, and raising awareness.
- LoCAL grants effectively apply existing national capital grant rules and regulations for allocating, channelling and reporting on funds while strengthening the overall intergovernmental fiscal transfer system and piloting innovative features (e.g. for performance measurement).
- The Assessing Climate Change Adaptation Framework (ACCAF) was successfully piloted in Bhutan and is now being rolled out to other LoCAL countries.

Bhutan Dashboard
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Stories from the Field

Our Team

THIMPU - BHUTAN

Government Partners:

In Bhutan, LoCAL is implemented by the Gross National Happiness Commission (GNHC) and Department of Local Governance (DLG), Ministry of Home & Cultural Affairs, Government of Bhutan

Contact:

Mr. Wangdi Gyeltshen, Department of Local Governance, Ministry of Home & Cultural Affairs

Ms. Tandin Wangmo, Senior Programme Coordinator, Gross National Happiness Commission

Ms. Tshering Lham Yanki
Programme Officer

Mrs. Sophie de Coninck
LoCAL Programme Manager

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