Bhutan-EU-UNDP Low Emission Capacity Building Programme (LECBP)

Overview

The EU-UNDP Low Emission Capacity Building Programme (LECBP) was launched in January 2011 as part of a joint collaboration between the European Union (EU - European Commission and Member States) and the United National Development Programme (UNDP).

This collaborative, country-driven programme aims to strengthen technical and institutional capacities at the country level, while at the same time facilitating inclusion and coordination of the public and private sector in national initiatives addressing climate change. It does so by utilizing the global networks and substantial experience established by the UNDP through our wide portfolio of projects and programmes around the globe. The EU-UNDP Low Emission Capacity Building Programme is part of the larger Green, Low-Emission Climate Resilient Development Strategy of UNDP and gains insight from and builds on global programmes and initiatives already developed by UNDP and EU.

As activity progresses, capacity buildings needs have been identified including assistance with data gaps, building scenarios, and local expertise. Technical assistance aimed at these needs is being provided in the form of guidance materials, targeted backstopping, and training workshops.

Programme Objectives

With initial contributions of €8,000,000 from the European Commission and €5,000,000 from the Federal Republic of Germany, the programmes overall objective is to strengthen capacities in participating countries in the following ways:

• Develop greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory management systems
• Identify opportunities for nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMA)
• Design low emission development strategies (LEDS) in the context of national priorities
• Design systems for measuring, reporting, and verification of proposed actions and means to reduce GHG emissions
• Facilitate the design and adoption of mitigation actions by selected industries in some countries

Progress and Outcomes

Capacity building activities include strengthening implementation of climate change policies, development of climate change policies, enhancing capacity for implementing NAMAs, preparation of GHG inventories, enhancing capacity for implementing LEDS, and enhancing financing for energy efficient projects. Capacity building needs identified include: "Support for the development of NAMAs and LEDS, including how to access climate finance. Building technical expertise to put in place a national inventory system."