Bhutan – National SLCP Plan and Methane Roadmap

Overview

This project responds to a request made by Bhutan’s Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC), Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR) to build capacity across relevant ministries to assess and reduce short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP) emissions.    

At minimum, the project is expected to develop a National SLCP Plan and National Methane Roadmap that will inform Bhutan’s national planning and policy processes.  This will be accompanied by workshops and trainings on mitigating SLCPs across relevant sectors.  

Guidance on the CCAC’s National Planning Methodology for reducing short-lived climate pollutants is available in the Resource Library.

National SLCP Plan  

Bhutan is a CCAC Partner since 2025. Through the development of Bhutan’s first national short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP) action plan, this project is expected to strengthen the institutional capacity of multiple government authorities, affiliated agencies and key private stakeholders to drive SLCP mitigation action.  

National Methane Roadmap  

This project will support the Government of Bhutan to develop a National Methane Roadmap. National Methane Roadmaps leverage emerging data and techniques to enhance emissions inventories, identify compelling abatement strategies, and define methane related policies, programs, and funding streams for implementation. 

Who to involve

• Department of Agriculture and Department of Livestock from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
• Department of Environment and Climate Change, Department of Forest and Park Services, Department of Geology and Mines from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources
• Department of Industry from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment
• Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Ministry of Health
• Association of Bhutanese Industries
• Dzongkhags and Thromdes from the Local Governments
• Department of Surface Transport from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport
• Department of Revenue and Customs from the Ministry of Finance 

Expected results

Outcome 1: The Government of Bhutan endorses a National SLCP Plan by the end of the project or soon after.  

Indicator: Number of action plans, roadmaps, strategies, or other future plans with SLCP targets or mitigation measures formally adopted, endorsed and/or implemented  

• Output 1.1: Assessment of institutional arrangements, identification of roles and relevant stakeholders to be involved in the SLCP planning process.  
• Output: 1.2:  Stakeholder meetings with line ministries convened before and during development of the plan to inform it.
• Output 1.3: A National SLCP Plan with clear responsibilities, timelines, monitoring mechanisms and a resources mobilization strategy for its implementation. The plan should include at a minimum:  
• Integrated GHG and SLCP emissions inventory and emissions projections  
• Mitigation assessments  
• Quantification of co-benefits of mitigation strategies  
• A gap analysis of existing policies, regulations, and standards to support the implementation of SLCP reduction strategies  
• Implementation pathways in priority SLCP sectors that include existing policies and plans implemented in the country  
• Cost of implementation and sources of funding  
• Assessment of the existing institutional capacity and identification of gaps in terms of human resources, technical expertise, and coordination mechanisms involving national and sub-national entities.  
• Framework for collaboration and partnerships between governments, sectors and stakeholders including at sub-national level in the context of the SLCP plan implementation.  
• Summary for policy makers  
• Monitoring and evaluation framework  
• Policy recommendations for SLCP mainstreaming into policies and plans  

Outcome 2: The Government of Bhutan has increased resources to implement SLCP mitigation measures by the end of the project or soon after

Indicator: Amount of external funding (“catalysed funding”) for SLCP actions  

• Output 2.1: A resource mobilization strategy to implement the National SLCP Plan is developed, and potential national and international funding sources identified.  
• Output 2.2: A project pipeline with 2-3 project ideas to scale up implementation of SLCP action, providing the information listed below:  
• Project name  
• Sector  
• Description  
• Outcomes  
• Implementing entities  
• Stakeholders  
• Link to policies, plans  
• General timeline for Development, Financing, Implementation, and Operation  
• Mitigation potential  
• Co-benefits  
• Investment needs  
• Potential business model, financing strategy  
• Gaps and barriers to implementation and proposed enabling mechanisms  
• Financial sustainability  
• Potential financing partners  
• Enabling, Capacity Building and Technical Assistance Needs  

• Information and MRV Needs  

   

• Output 2.3: Consultation with project financing, domestic investment and sector stakeholders during project identification process      

Outcome 2: The Government of Bhutan has strengthened awareness and capacity at national and sub-national levels to assess, monitor and reduce short-lived climate pollutants by the end of the project.  

Indicator: Number of government entities with a demonstrated improved capacity for SLCP action  

• Output 2.1: Information sessions/capacity building targeting decision makers to foster political support for endorsement of the National SLCP Plan and implementation of priority mitigation measures.  
• Output 2.2: Training on monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) for SLCP reductions to sustain inventory updates
• Output 2.3: A participatory and inclusive consultation process involving key stakeholders, including government agencies, also from sub-national level, civil society organizations, and the private sector is conducted to develop the national strategy for SLCP reduction.  
• Output 2.4: Framework for the implementation of SLCP action plans at sub-national levels    

Outcome 3: The Government of Bhutan endorses the National Methane Roadmap by the end of the project of soon after.  

Indicator: Number of action plans, roadmaps, strategies, or other future plans with SLCP targets or mitigation measures formally adopted, endorsed and/or implemented  

• Output 3.1: A National Methane Roadmap developed in line with a modality agreed with the CCAC Secretariat.  At a minimum, a National Methane Roadmap should include:  

  • A needs assessment which identifies gaps in existing commitments and policies for methane mitigation  
  • A mitigation assessment including priority mitigation measures, mitigation potential, and cost-benefit analysis of implementation in high-emitting sectors  
  • An assessment of the institutional arrangements for implementation  
  • A monitoring and evaluation framework for identified methane mitigation measures  
  • Identified funding sources to support implementation of the measures  

   

• Output 3.2: High level event or consultations with government entities for the endorsement/socializing the roadmap  

Outcome 4: The Government of Bhutan includes SLCPs in the MRV framework by the end of the project or soon after.  

Indicator: Number of monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems developed or updated that include SLCPs.  

• Output 4.1: Standardized methodologies and indicators for monitoring SLCP reduction measures across different sectors are defined.  
• Output 4.2: A reporting mechanism that requires regular reporting of progress on SLCP reduction targets developed.  
• Output 4.3: A transparent and accessible database to collect, store, and analyze the reported data on sectoral mitigation actions is developed.  
• Output 4.4: A verification process to ensure the accuracy and credibility of reported data, potentially involving independent third-party audits or verification bodies is developed.  

Outcome 5: The Government of Bhutan includes SLCP goals in at least one existing national development plan or strategy by 2029.

Indicator: Number of action plans, roadmaps, strategies, or other future plans with SLCP targets or mitigation measures formally adopted, endorsed and/or implemented.

• Output 5.1: Recommendations on required governance mechanisms for the implementation of the National SLCP Plan are established.  
• Output 5.2: Recommendations for including SLCPs in relevant plans such as NDC (subsequent revisions), National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP), Air Quality Strategies or Plans, Medium term plan developed. 

APPLICATION PROCESs

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for consideration, project proposals must meet the following requirements:

• Complete and submitted before the deadline
• Submitted by a non-governmental organization (NGO), intergovernmental organization (IGO), or other not-for-profit entity.
• Requested funding is within the estimated budget amount, or includes a clear justification for additional expenses
• Project duration is less than 24 months
• Budget criteria are met and spending caps on expenses are respected.
• Please note that entities will be required to provide the last three (3) audited financial statements to be eligible for CCAC funding. These statements may be provided along with the application for funding or at the request of the CCAC Secretariat during the evaluation process.

For-profit entities may only participate in the project as stakeholders, co-funders, or end users. Applicants are encouraged to include for-profit entities in the development of the project proposal and/or during project implementation if their ownership of the proposed solution is key to the project’s success.  

How to apply

Eligible applicants are invited to apply using the Application Form and Excel Budget Form. Specific instructions on completing these forms are available in both documents.

Applicants may choose to follow the cost range proposed above OR propose a different budget supported by a clear justification. However, applicants should note that cost efficiency will play a significant role in the selection process.

The completed Application Form and Excel Budget Form should be submitted to secretariat [at] ccacoalition.org.

Evaluation criteria

Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• Presents a clear plan to achieve the required outcomes during the lifetime of the project or soon after
• Includes a plan or activities to enable the scaling up of, replication of, or sustained use of project results over time
• Sets out a clear approach for enabling or contributing to SLCP emissions reductions and resulting co-benefits
• Involves relevant stakeholders
• Approach is grounded in a strong understanding of relevant risks
• Complements other relevant initiatives, funding mechanisms, and existing policy processes
• Applicant demonstrates necessary capacity and experience to perform the work
• A realistic, cost-effective, and clearly justified budget and approach is proposed
• Project meets the minimum requirements for the OECD DAC gender equality marker Score 1
   
  Selection process
• A preliminary review of proposals submitted by the deadline will be conducted by members of the CCAC Secretariat, Funding Task Team, and Board, in consultation with relevant CCAC Partners.
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present their proposals in further detail and to respond to follow-up questions about their application.
• Successful applicants will be invited to develop a Project Implementation Plan and Detailed Budget in consultation with the CCAC Secretariat and relevant CCAC Partners.
• The selection process may take up to 6 months after the closing date of the call for proposals. Due to the high volume of requests, the CCAC will not respond to requests for updates or feedback during this time.

Due diligence and procurement

Due diligence  

CCAC implementers with UNEP contractual agreements must meet with the following requirements:   

• Have adequate financial resources to perform the contract and meet all existing commitments (financial health)
• Be able to provide proof of registration, proof of not-for-profit status and audited financial statements for the last three completed fiscal years  
• Have a record of satisfactory performance with UNEP/CCAC, when applicable; and  - Not have been suspended or debarred by UNEP/CCAC or another UN agency. UNEP/CCAC also considers entities included in the Security Council Resolution Lists to be ineligible for UNEP/CCAC agreements. 
  * (inter)governmental entities/ United Nations are exempt from this requirement

Contract requirements

If selected for funding, your project will be contracted through the United Nations. Organisation(s) selected to implement the project must meet the following due diligence and procurement rules.

Procurement

As a general rule, Implementation Agreements allow for incidental procurement only.