The Government of Bhutan, with support from the World Bank and the UN-REDD Programme, is developing a national program to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+). This program will introduce activities to increase the value of forests with the aim of transforming the forest landscape into a more productive ecosystem that sequesters carbon and safeguards tangible forest benefits for the rural population. UNIQUE was contracted to support the design of this program. Our tasks included conducting an analysis of the causes of deforestation and forest degradation and proposing corresponding REDD+ strategy options to reduce deforestation and promote sustainable forest use. Building on our international expertise related to REDD+ analytical work, UNIQUE’s contribution lays the groundwork for this important program in Bhutan.

• Comprehensive analysis of drivers, agents and underlying causes of deforestation.
• Spatial analysis to stratify the country into productive forest types.
• Detailed analysis of drivers and strategy options, including cost assessment, in priority areas.
• Capacity building for national counterparts to ensure program viability and sustainability.
• Assessment of key commodities causing deforestation using value chain approach.