Bhutan – National SLCP Plan and Methane Roadmap

RATIONALE

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. 

Activities

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. 

Reference number: [BT-25-001] Bhutan – National SLCP Plan and Methane Roadmap