Questions/Answers
Question 1
Please provide a brief summary of the initiative including the problems/challenges it addressed and the solutions that the initiative introduced (300 words maximum)
Bhutan faces difficulties and challenges associated with its geography and climatic factors. The complexity of these conditions and its vulnerability is further exacerbated by dependence of country’s economy on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, hydropower and forestry. Climate variability has shown considerable impact on the glaciers and snows in the Himalayan Mountains.
Evidence of climate change and its trends, probability for further changes and its impact on the livelihoods are no more an alarm for distant future as its consequences are already being felt. Recent experiences and media reports on extreme climatic events are strong demonstration of climate change becoming more frequent and severe in the forms of various climatic hazards and disasters across Bhutan.
Recognising the potential adverse effects of climate change, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests has been implementing Climate Change Adaption on Programme since 2013 with overall objective of the programme is to enhance resilience of Bhutan’s rural households to the effects of climate change. The specific objective is to ensure climate change readiness of the renewable natural resources sector in Bhutan by mainstreaming climate change into the sector and ensuring steps are taken towards increasingly addressing climate change adaptation at multi-sectoral level. The programme is financed by the European Union.
The programme substantially contributes to increased environmental sustainability through introduction of climate change adaptation measures or actions and establishment of overall adaptation action plan. The programme strengthens political decentralisation aspects and promotes local governance through strengthening local government planning and supporting capacity building with regard to climate change adaptation. The programme is implemented in four districts namely Mongar, Lhuntse, Pemagatshel and Zhemgang which were selected based on level of poverty and status of resilience.
a. What are the overall objectives of the initiative?
Please describe the overall objectives of the initiative (200 words maximum)
The overall objective of the programme is to enhance resilience of Bhutan’s rural households to the effects of climate change. The specific objective is to ensure climate change readiness of the renewable natural resources sector in Bhutan by mainstreaming climate change into the sector and ensuring steps are taken towards increasingly addressing climate change adaptation at multi-sectoral level.
b. How does the initiative fit within the selected category?
Please describe how the initiative is linked to the criteria of the category (200 words maximum)
Climate change adaptation initiatives, particularly bio-gas, protected agriculture and rain water harvesting technologies are fairly new in Bhutan although adopted from other countries. These initiatives has contributed to improving social and economic lives of rural communities besides environmental protection. Bio-gas technology, in particular is socially inclusive in that it reduces the labour and time that women traditionally spend on collecting firewood/fodder from the forest and on tending free-range livestock. It provides women with more time at home to do other more economically productive work. It also contributes to environmental protection through the increased number of stall-fed cattle, reducing numbers of free-range cattle, and reducing use of imported LPG gas for cooking.
Protected agriculture and rain water harvesting technologies were equally gaining momentum in Bhutan. Crops and vegetable are easily grown in areas where the agro ecological conditions are actually not meant for production. Such initiatives has allowed farmers to grow crops and vegetables even in off seasons and generating extra household income.
Question 2
The initiative should improve people’s lives, notably by enhancing the contribution of public services to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the SDGs
a. Please explain how the initiative improves the delivery of public services (200 words maximum)
The program has direct contribution to SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Program activities such as promotion of biogas, protected agriculture and water harvesting technologies are aimed at strengthening the resilience and adaptive capacity of local communities. These technologies has greatly improved the livelihoods of the local communities. The capacity building and knowledge management is one of the components of the program wherein local communities are trained on emerging technologies and its utilization, climate change and its impacts and, best practices.
Participatory planning is at the centre of the program. District annual plan are prepared by the District Agriculture Officer in consultation with the communities and funds are decentralized to local government for implementation of the activities.
One of the key milestones of the program is climate change mainstreaming into the central plan. The Renewable Natural Resources (RNR) Sector Adaptation Plan of Action (SAPA) is in place. The action plan has been mainstreamed into the 11th five year plan of the RNR sector. Further, disaster management unit has been instituted in the ministry with formal Disaster Management and Contingency Plan.
Question 3
The initiative must impact positively a group or groups of the population (i.e. children, women, elderly, people with disability, etc) and address a significant issue of public service delivery within the context of a given country or region.
a. Please explain how the initiative has addressed a significant issue related to the delivery of public services (200 words maximum)
The program has direct contribution to SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Program activities such as promotion of biogas, protected agriculture and water harvesting technologies are aimed at strengthening the resilience and adaptive capacity of local communities. These technologies has greatly improved the livelihoods of the local communities. The capacity building and knowledge management is one of the components of the program wherein local communities are trained on emerging technologies and its utilization, climate change and its impacts and, best practices.
Participatory planning is at the centre of the program. District annual plan are prepared by the District Agriculture Officer in consultation with the communities and funds are decentralized to local government for implementation of the activities.
One of the key milestones of the program is climate change mainstreaming into the central plan. The Renewable Natural Resources (RNR) Sector Adaptation Plan of Action (SAPA) is in place. The action plan has been mainstreamed into the 11th five year plan of the RNR sector. Further, disaster management unit has been instituted in the ministry with formal Disaster Management and Contingency Plan.
b. Please explain how the initiative has impacted positively a group or groups of the population within the context of your country or region (200 words maximum)
The program implements wide array of activities and following are some of the highlights.
1. Promotion of biogas: It reduced the labour and time that women traditionally spend on collecting firewood/fodder from the forest and on tending free-range livestock. It provides women with more time at home to do other more economically productive work. It also contributes to environmental protection through the increased number of stall-fed cattle, reducing numbers of free-range cattle, and reducing use of imported LPG gas.
2. Installation of electric fencing: Traditionally, adults and parents guard their crops in their field leaving their children back at home at night. However, with the introduction of electric fencing, parents could stay back parenting their children strengthening parent-child bond. Further, the impact assessments conducted by the Research Development Centre, Wengkhar showed that the use of electric fence reduced human wildlife conflict from as high as 100% before fencing to as low as 10% after fencing (The Bhutanese).
3. Installation of rain water harvesting tanks: Water availability is one of the key limiting crops and vegetable production in Bhutan. Therefore, rain water harvesting technology help tap rain water and the stored water were even used household chores besides irrigation purposes.
Question 4
The initiative must present an innovative idea, a distinctively new approach, or a unique policy or approach implemented in order to realize the SDGs in the context of a given country or region.
a. Please explain in which way the initiative is innovative in the context of your country or region (200 words maximum)
Climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives are fairly new in Bhutan. Climate Change Adaptation Program (CCAP) implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests is one the few first initiatives by the government to make communities resilient to impacts of climate change.
Climate change adaptation technologies such as electric fencing, protected agriculture, rain water harvesting and biogas are innovative in the context of Bhutan. Particularly electric fences and green houses are built using low cost locally available materials.
Question 4b
b. Please describe if the innovation is original or if it is an adaptation from other contexts (If it is known)? (200 words maximum)
The innovation is adopted from other countries.
Question 4c
c. What resources (i.e. financial, human , material or other resources, etc) were used to implement the initiative? (200 words maximum)
The ministry implemented the program within the existing human resource arrangements. A program coordination unit was established in the ministry to oversee the overall coordination while activities were implemented by the District Agriculture Officers and Extension Supervisors. The program is being financed by the Global Climate Change Alliance facility of the European Union.
Question 5
The initiative should be adaptable to other contexts (e.g. other cities, countries or regions). There may already be evidence that it has inspired similar innovations in other public-sector institutions within a given country, region or at the global level.
a. Has the initiative been transferred to other contexts?
Yes
The program was initially implemented in four eastern districts. Similar initiatives has already been implemented in other 16 districts of Bhutan through other programs or funding sources. Moreover, the climate change adaptation program scope is being intensified covering all 20 districts of Bhutan.
Question 6
The initiative should be able to be sustained over a significant period of time.
a. Please describe whether and how the initiative is sustainable (covering the social, economic and environmental aspects) (300 words maximum)
The crosscutting theme climate change is at the centre of the program. The program sustainably contributes to increased environmental sustainability since it has introduced measures towards climate change adaptation into the renewable natural resources sector and established an overall adaptation action plan, which clearly have an impact on environmental aspects of the rural economy in Bhutan. The program also strengthens political decentralization and promotes local governance through strengthening local government planning and supporting capacity building with regard to climate change adaptation. As generally all members of the rural communities most affected by the effects of climate change are equally involved in the program, women and men will be involved in and will benefit from the program in the same form and to the same extent. Increased ownership of local communities in the development process and local planning and policies will economically, socially and politically empower rural communities to become confident members of their society.
b. Please describe whether and how the initiative is sustainable in terms of durability in time (300 words maximum)
Climate change has been mainstreamed into the central plans and programs ensuring sustainability of the program. Moreover, agriculture has been recognised as on the jewels for economic development by the government which allowed the sector to expand its role in ensuring food and nutrition security, particularly through climate smart initiatives.
Further, the National Environment Commission of Bhutan is in the process of formulating climate change policy which will provide required policy impetus in implementing climate actions.
Question 7
The initiative should have gone through a formal evaluation, showing some evidence of impact on improving people’s lives.
a. Has the initiative been formally evaluated?
No
Question 8
The initiative must demonstrate that it has engaged various actors such as from other institutions, civil society, or the private sector, when possible.
a. The 2030 Development Agenda puts emphasis on collaboration, engagement, coordination, partnerships, and inclusion. Please describe what stakeholders were engaged in designing, implementing and evaluating the initiative. Please also highlight their roles and contributions (300 words maximum)
1. Ministry of Agriculture and Forests: Lead implementation of the program
2. Local Government: Work plan preparation and implementation
3. Local Communities/Beneficiaries: Consultation and feedback
4. Central Agencies of the ministry (department of agriculture, livestock, forestry and marketing): Technical backstopping and policy guidance
5. Ministry of Economic Affairs: Complementary efforts through Bhutan Bio-gas Project
6. European Union: Fund support
7. Gross National Happiness Commission: Support toward program preparation, planning and donor coordination
8. Information Communication and Technology Division: Capacity building through training and awareness campaigns
9. Research and Development Centre, Yusipang: Research and knowledge dissemination, capacity building and awareness
10. Ministry of Finance : Support toward annual budgetary process and other budget appropriations
11. Community contractors: Participation in the biding process and execution of awarded works
Question 9
a. Please describe the key lessons learned, and any view you have on how to further improve the initiative (200 words maximum)
Climate change is a complex phenomenon and hence information management, particularly statistics are key to understand the complexities. Climate expertise is essential in designing proper projects based on science.