Summary

The project is working to address the adverse impacts of climate change on rural livelihood security and poverty, and the effects of sector-led development practices on the ecological integrity of biodiversity-rich forested landscapes.

The long-term solution envisaged is to ensure effective climate resilient management of forest areas including biological corridors and adjoining protected areas, securing ecosystem services that underpin livelihoods, local and national development and climate change adaptation. 

Alignment with National Priorities

The project is consistent with Bhutan's National Climate Change Adaptation Policy (NAPA), Biodiversity Policy (NBSAP) and National Forest Policy commitments to retain 60 percent of the country under forest cover and to achieve carbon neutral development.

It will primarily address NAPA priority of community-based food security and climate resilience, and to a certain extent the priority of application of climate-resilient and environment-friendly road construction. The project will contribute to NBSAP's

• target 2 of establishing national capacity for valuation and integration of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the national development planning; 
• target 7 of managing areas under agriculture and forestry through adoption of sustainable practices ensuring biodiversity conservation; 
• target 10 of identifying potential impacts of climate change on vulnerable ecosystems and strengthening adaptation measures; and 
• target 11 of maintaining current PA system with enhanced management effectiveness and financial sustainability.

Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals

The project will contribute directly towards three SDGs prioritized by the Royal Government of Bhutan:

• SDG 1: No poverty – through support to climate-smart agriculture practices;
• SDG 13: Climate Action – through ecosystem-based adaptation associated with operationalization of the BC system and support for SFM in project landscapes, support for adoption of climate-smart agriculture in project landscapes, climate-proofing of rural roads and enhanced access to markets and market and weather information; and
• SDG 15: Life on land – through operationalization of the BC system and support for SFM in FMUs, LFMPs and CFs, and recognition of biodiversity and ecosystem service values in integrated landscape planning. 

And to a certain extent,

• SDG 2: through promoting climate-smart agriculture and SLM; 
• SDG 3: as a result of sustainable ecosystem services from the management of forest and agricultural landscapes and improved livelihoods; 
• SDG 5: through capacity building for equal participation and equitable sharing of benefits from the implementation of project interventions.