National Environment Commission

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐌𝐄𝐋) 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC), with technical and financial support from the NAP Global Network (NAP-GN), has initiated an assessment of existing Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems to develop a reliable framework aligned with national priorities and international reporting requirements.

The MEL system aimed to:
1. Facilitate systematic tracking of the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP);
2. Monitor progress in strengthening the country’s adaptive capacity and climate resilience, thereby contributing to sustainable socio-economic development; and
3. Ensure compliance with reporting obligations under the Enhanced Transparency Framework of the Paris Agreement.

A well-functioning MEL system enables the systematic tracking of progress, evaluation of the effectiveness of adaptation actions, and generation of evidence on what works and what does not. It also creates opportunities for learning and knowledge exchange among institutions and stakeholders. Through continuous learning and feedback, strategies can be refined, implementation improved, and successful practices scaled up.

Measuring adaptation progress across sectors-from the national to the global level-is essential for monitoring Bhutan’s advancement in implementing both the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). These commitments demonstrate Bhutan’s determination to contribute to global climate action while safeguarding the well-being of its people and ecosystems.

To strengthen stakeholders’ understanding and capacity in MEL concepts, methodologies, and practical applications, a two-day intensive training workshop was conducted in Gelephu on 19-20 March 2026. The workshop brought together:
- Environment Officers from all Dzongkhags and Thromdes;
- Planning Officers from four Thromdes; and
- Relevant officials from line ministries and other key stakeholder institutions.

Outcome of the Training
1. The training enhanced participants’ understanding of MEL frameworks and their application in tracking climate change adaptation initiatives.
2. Provided practical knowledge on developing indicators, data collection, and reporting mechanisms, and integrating MEL into sectoral planning and implementation processes.
3. Strengthened collaboration and knowledge exchange among national and local stakeholders, laying the groundwork for a more coordinated approach to monitoring and reporting adaptation actions.
4. The insights and feedback gathered during the training will contribute to the ongoing assessment and development of Bhutan’s national MEL framework for the NAP.

https://www.facebook.com/NAPGlobalNetwork/

We are pleased to announce the Carbon Credit Project Developer Workshop – “Carbon Credit Development in Practice: From the Paris Agreement to Project Delivery”, organized by the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) in collaboration with Terrama, Singapore.

📅 2–4 March 2026

📍 Norkhil Boutique Hotel & Spa, Thimphu

This 3-day capacity-building workshop will bring together policymakers, sustainability professionals, project developers, and practitioners to strengthen understanding of Article 6 carbon markets, Bhutan’s national carbon credit framework, and end-to-end carbon project development.

🎯 Participants will gain:
• Practical knowledge on international & national carbon market frameworks
• Hands-on experience in project design, MRV, and registry processes
• Tools, templates & real-world case studies
🎓 Certificates of participation, idea pitching sessions, and exciting prizes for winning teams will make the workshop both engaging and rewarding!

👉 Interested participants can register through the link provided below:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IP4t3mCNvHkS5qKDW2AH8TL_lNa6mz3cxY-N7LE_x5g/edit?usp=sharing
We look forward to meaningful discussions and strong collaboration toward advancing Bhutan’s carbon market readiness.

𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐋𝐂𝐏 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐍𝐃𝐂 𝟑.𝟎

The Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC), Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, convened a High-Level Sensitization Workshop on Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) on January 23, 2026, at Thimphu with technical support from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) under its Targeted Expert Assistance programme.

The workshop engaged senior policymakers and decision-makers to highlight the strategic importance of SLCP mitigation for maintaining Bhutan’s carbon neutrality, improving air quality and public health, and supporting implementation of Bhutan’s Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0). Discussions covered SLCP baseline findings, sectoral mitigation opportunities, policy and institutional pathways, and integration of SLCP priorities into sectoral Low Emission Development Strategies.

The policy dialogue highlighted the need to move from planning to implementation by strengthening SLCP integration, prioritizing waste management, improving data and MRV systems, enhancing institutional coordination, and leveraging climate finance to support Bhutan’s NDC 3.0 implementation. The workshop concluded with agreement on next steps, including finalization of the SLCP baseline and mitigation analysis, strengthened institutional coordination and data systems, and advancement of Bhutan’s National SLCP Action Plan and National Methane Roadmap.

The event was attended by senior officials from government ministries and agencies, local governments, research and academic institutions, private sector and civil society organizations, development partners, and national and international experts.

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐋𝐂𝐏 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐍𝐃𝐂 𝟑.𝟎

The Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC), Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, conducted the Second Stakeholder Consultation and Capacity-Building Workshop on integrating Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) into Bhutan’s Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) on January 22, 2026, at Thimphu, with technical support from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).

The workshop reviewed findings from the national SLCP baseline assessment and gap analysis, discussed sector-wise mitigation measures, strengthened understanding of SLCP inventories and Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) reporting, and examined institutional and policy gaps to support effective implementation.

The event concluded with agreement on next steps, including finalization of the SLCP baseline, targeted follow-up consultations to address data gaps, and continued integration of SLCP priorities into sectoral policies, sectoral Low Emission Development Strategies, and upcoming national initiatives such as the National SLCP Action Plan, Methane Roadmap, and National Clean Air Action Plan.

The workshop brought together representatives from government agencies, sectoral ministries, local governments, academic and research institutions, private sector organizations, civil society organizations, development partners, and national and international consultants.

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬
https://www.moenr.gov.bt/?page_id=15514

𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 (𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐂), 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐄𝐋 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧

The Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC), under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR), with support from the NAP Global Network, organized a one-day validation workshop on Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) on 30 January 2026.

The workshop aimed to validate key findings of the assessment on Bhutan’s MEL system and to gather inputs on gaps, challenges, and opportunities for establishing a robust and effective MEL framework. Participants also identified priority activities and timelines and enhanced their understanding of MEL concepts and practices.

Participants emphasized that the absence of a structured MEL system makes it difficult to monitor and track the progress of development plans and programmes. They noted that strong collaboration among ministries and agencies is essential to developing a pragmatic and functional MEL system.

The workshop was attended by representatives from various ministries and government agencies.

𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐈𝐌𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐂 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞

The 4th Meeting of the BIMSTEC Joint Working Group on Environment and Climate Change (JWG-ECC) was held on 15–16 January 2026 in Thimphu, Bhutan. The Meeting finalized the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the JWG-ECC, reviewed activities under the Action Matrix of the BIMSTEC Plan of Action on Environment and Climate Change, discussed mobilization of climate finance, and explored initiatives to further advance the BIMSTEC Environment and Climate Change Sector. The representatives from seven member states (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Sri Lanka) participated in the two-day meeting.

Environment and Climate Change is one of the seven sectors of BIMSTEC Cooperation and Bhutan is the lead country.

𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙍𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚

The Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) successfully conducted the Final Validation Workshop on the Revision of the National Waste Management Strategy 2019 (NWMS) from 11-12 December 2025 in Thimphu with key stakeholders, including representatives from government agencies, Local Governments, private sector entities, and civil society organizations. The workshop provided the final platform to review and validate the updated strategic pillars, action plans, and implementation framework, ensuring that the revised NWMS reflects national priorities and strengthens Bhutan’s collective pathway toward a zero-waste future.

As part of the program, participants also undertook a site visit to the Memeylakha landfill, allowing them to observe firsthand the realities and operational challenges of waste management in Thimphu. The visit reinforced the urgency and national importance of a strengthened, practical, and forward-looking strategy. The workshop concluded with support from all stakeholders to advance an integrated, effective, and sustainable waste management system.

𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁!⚠️

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲

The Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) conducted a pre-validation workshop on 24th November 2025 for the Revision of the National Waste Management Strategy 2019 (NWMS) with key stakeholders, including representatives from Local Governments, relevant government agencies, private sector entities, and civil society organizations. The workshop served as an important platform to present the revised strategy, gather final inputs, and ensure its alignment with national waste management priorities and Bhutan’s long-term vision of achieving a zero-waste society. Participants reviewed and validated the proposed strategic pillars, thematic action plans, and implementation pathways, while also providing substantive feedback to further strengthen the strategy prior to its formal endorsement. The engagement enhanced cross-sectoral coordination, deepened stakeholder understanding, and reinforced a unified national commitment to addressing Bhutan’s evolving waste challenges through a more integrated, practical, and sustainable waste management approach.

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲

The Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) conducted two back-to-back Sensitization Workshops on NDCs, Climate Change and the Environment in Paro from 18–21 November 2025. The first workshop engaged representatives from NGOs, CSOs, private sector entities and youth groups, while the second brought together officials from all 20 dzongkhags and four thromdes. The workshops enhanced participants’ understanding of Bhutan’s commitments under the UNFCCC— including the Paris Agreement, NDCs and BTRs— and strengthened awareness on waste management, environmental clearances and their importance for sustainable and climate-resilient development. The sessions featured presentations, discussions and interactive activities aimed at building capacity and fostering collaboration among key stakeholders in Bhutan’s climate and environmental initiatives.