Bhutan now has its first National Adaptation Plan, NAP. This means the country is now among the 17 Least Developed Countries in the world that have this key climate adaptation plan. A NAP identifies medium- and long-term adaptation needs and develops strategies to address them. Along with it, the Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission and Climate Resilient Development Strategy was also launched in the capital today coinciding with World Ozone Day.
The National Adaptation Plan is expected to guide the stakeholders to identify national priorities for adaptation and guide the implementation of these priorities in core development decisions.
The NAP approach was initiated under the Cancun Adaptation Framework and re-emphasised in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
‘‘This NAP document will identify all the adaptation measures and this document tells us, all sectors to implement their adaptation measure, and prepare to foresee climate change in the long term. Regarding the Long-Term Strategy for low greenhouse emissions, this is in line with remaining carbon neutral. This will focus on reduction level from short term to long term,” said Sonam Gyelpo, senior environment officer of the Department of Environment and Climate Change.
Bhutan began formulating the plan in 2019 with the launch of a USD 2.7 M project, supported by the Green Climate Fund and the United Nations Development Programme. It analyses climate risks in seven climate-vulnerable sectors water, agriculture and livestock, forests and biodiversity, human settlement and climate-smart cities, health, energy, climate service and disaster risk reduction.
‘‘As we all know adaptation and mitigation are the two major responses to climate change, this first-ever National Adaptation Plan will benefit the larger audience. This document will help them to align their plans and activities to the adaptation plan and this will really help in the cross-cutting plans and ultimately to prepare for the impacts of climate change,’’ added Sonam Gyelpo.
The implementation of the NAP process would require massive technical as well as financial support for the country. Close to 14 billion US dollars will be required to carry out climate adaptation activities over the next 15 years.
Similarly, the Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission and Climate Resilient Development Strategy was also launched at the event. It is prepared in line with Bhutan’s commitment to remain carbon neutral at all times focusing on the reduction of Greenhouse gas emissions in developmental activities.
‘’Regarding the Long Term Strategy for Low Green House Emissions, this is in line with remaining carbon neutral. This will focus on reduction level from short term to long term,’‘ further added Sonam Gyelpo.
The strategy was developed by the Department of Environment and Climate Change with support from the European Climate Foundation.
Sonam Yuden
Edited by Kipchu
