National Environment Commission (NEC) is expected to submit the Third National Communication (TNC) report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) soon. The first and second was submitted in 2000 and 2011 after Bhutan joined UNFCCC in 1995.

TNC is an obligation under UNFCCC. It is the report about Bhutan’s implementation of climate change action.

At a consultation workshop on Building Sustainable Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory and Evaluation of Hazardous Waste Inventory that was held in Phuentsholing, Tshewang Dorji, an NEC official, said that the TNC report has been prepared.

“We were able to submit just two reports because of the lack of capacity,” Tshewang Dorji said, adding that both the earlier reports were prepared by consultancies from outside the country.

As a least developed country (LDC), Bhutan, had some flexibility to submit the National Communication report. From 2023, however, when the country graduates from the LDC group, Bhutan will have to submit one report every two years.

More than 80 participants from industries across the country, government offices, and CSOs took part in the two-day consultation workshop NEC organised in coordination with the Association of Bhutanese Industries (ABI). The workshop concluded yesterday.

The workshop’s main objective was to “build sustainable GHG inventory system for the future periodic National Communication reporting.”

From the workshop, NEC hopes to get the main component for preparing communication reports, which is the refined GHG inventory.

“And the basis for this is the data to put up this inventory,” Tshewang Dorji said.

The workshop was also held to bring Bhutanese participation in the preparation of the National Communication reports in the future. Although more Bhutanese participated in preparing the third communication report, consultants were still recruited.

The workshop highlighted the importance of a data collection framework needed from industries to meet the future obligation.

Tshewang Dorji, however, said NEC did not want to “overburden” the industries while in the process of data collection. The information and data that comes out of the workshop would also be useful for any other national policy directions, setting up of certain frameworks and roadmaps.

An official from Penden Cement Authority Limited, Sonam Tshering Tamang, said details were provided to agencies concerned whenever required.

“We provide them the details of raw materials, production, and consumption of fossil fuels, coals and other lubricants,” he said. “It only helps us know where we stand as a country in terms of the climate change and that is good.”

ABI’s program officer, Pema Namgyel Ghaley, said the workshop was very informative and fruitful.

“There were discussions and active participation from the industries,” he said. “ABI will evaluate the workshop and take proactive role in building sustainable GHG inventory.”

Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing