On August 2 2023, the Department of Energy in collaboration with International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) organized a Multi-Stakeholder Engagement and Scoping Workshop with funding support from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) at Terma Linca, Thimphu.
The objective of the workshop was to bring together various stakeholders within the Government, including CSOs, NGOs, and private entrepreneurs, to identify priority actions for promoting sustainable energy practices within the agriculture and tourism sectors. The focus was on exploring innovative renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions from an environmental and livelihood enhancement perspective.
Over 35 participants from 21 diverse government and non-government agencies including the private sector participated in the workshop. Throughout the workshop, participants actively engaged in group discussions, delving into crucial aspects such as key enablers, barriers, ongoing efforts, and drivers of change in the region. The goal was to uncover necessary interventions that can facilitate the scaling up of renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions for both business enterprises and communities in Bhutan.
A significant emphasis was placed on identifying priority areas of high relevance, recognizing drivers for change, and understanding the gaps and challenges hindering the transition towards greener, low-carbon, and efficient energy solutions in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, particularly in Bhutan.
The workshop also launched the working paper on Alternative Renewable Energy in Bhutan prepared by ICIMOD. This report presents valuable insights into harnessing the power of renewable resources for sustainable development and some key policy recommendations.
