ICIMOD’s Energy Programme: Transitioning to green, low-carbon, and energy-efficient solutions and innovations in Bhutan

About the event

ICIMOD’s Energy Programme is organising this multistakeholder interaction and scoping workshop to bring together relevant stakeholders in renewable energy and energy efficiency in Bhutan to discuss just transition to green, low-carbon, and efficient-energy solutions and innovations in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region.

Objectives

• Introducing and providing orientation on ICIMOD’s Medium-Term Action Plan V (2023–2026) and Energy Programme
• Identifying priority areas of high relevance, drivers, gaps, and challenges for transitioning to greener, low-carbon, and energy-efficient solutions and innovations
• Stocktaking of on-going programmes, institutions involved, and interventions required

Expected outcomes

• Identified priority areas for scoping and integrating renewable energy and energy-efficient solutions in business enterprises (agriculture and tourism) to help mountain communities transform their livelihoods and local economy
• Identified potential key stakeholders for partnership

Background

Building on the achievements of ICIMOD’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficient Capability for the Hindu Kush Himalaya (REEECH) Initiative and considering the crucial barriers to meet the current and future energy challenges for the HKH, ICIMOD’s Energy Programme aims to enable mountain communities, enterprises, and key actors in the agriculture and tourism sectors to build understanding and exposure to a variety of green and resilient business models, energy-efficient solutions, low-carbon methods, and other innovations. The ultimate goal is to support the transition to green, low-carbon, and energy-efficient mountain-specific livelihoods and economies. The Energy Programme responds directly to SDG 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all) and other crucial SDGs including SDG 1 (No poverty), SDG 3 (Good health and well-being), SDG 5 (Gender equality), and SDG 13 (Climate action).

This programme is part of ICIMOD’s new portfolio as described in the organisation’s MTAP V. It will, to a large extent, contribute directly to Strategic Group 2: Shaping Green and Resilient Mountain Economies and its associated Action Area C: Adapting and Transforming Livelihoods and Economies. The programme will also contribute to Strategic Group 1: Reducing Climate and Environmental Risks and its associated Action Area B: Stimulating Action for Clean air.

To deliver this programme, the following four impact pathways, as described in ICIMOD’s Strategy 2030, will form the basis for the implementation:

1. Policy pathway

Improve policies to support just transition to green, low-carbon and energy-efficient solutions and innovations by mountain communities and enterprises in the agriculture and tourism sectors.

2. Innovation and scaling pathway

Promote the adoption of green, low-carbon, and energy-efficient solutions and innovations by mountain communities and enterprises in the agriculture and tourism sectors.

3. Capability pathway

Strengthen the capability and skills of key stakeholders to understand the evidence and value in enabling just transition.

4. Regional cooperation pathway

Share best practices and lessons via cooperation arrangements in support of wider adoption of solutions and innovation, and policy consistency across the HKH region.

Agenda

All timings are in Bhutan Standard Time (BST).