Background

The fragile mountainous ecosystem is becoming more vulnerable to the increasing threats from climate change, affecting climate sensitive sectors such as hydropower, agriculture, and tourism. While Bhutan has a wealth of water resources (109,000 cubic meters), access to these is difficult due to the highly dispersed nature of settlements, and their low population densities.

Increased water security through Integrated Water Resources Management is defined as a priority adaptation need in the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). It has also been identified as a key, cross-cutting sector for adaptation in the country, calling for further water-specific risk assessments.

Bhutan has identified the water sector as a national priority, and seeks to identify synergies and areas of cooperation in terms of water resources management and development among different sectors in the 12th Five Year Plan (FYP). 

Objectives 

The objective of the proposed project is to identify and develop medium to long term climate adaptation priorities with a focus on water as a multi-sector issues. 

Results

• The proposed project aims to achieve the following outcome: 
• Enhanced coordination, learning and knowledge management for an iterative National Adaptation Plan process
• Enhanced technical capacity for the generation of climate scenarios and impact assessment 
• Prioritized adaptation options prioritized through vulnerability assessments
• National Adaptation Plan formulated and capacity for implementation and monitoring established

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The project will contirbute to the achievemnt of the following SDGs: 

a.        SDG 1:  No Poverty

b.        SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

c.        SDG 13: Climate Action

d.        SDG 14: Life Under Water