Reflection – Mind Map

Challenge and Selection    I work on developing new projects and programmes to help the Government to tackle the  developmental challenges. The mind map tools helped me to understand the linkages between  various factors impacting and influencing the goals. In order words it can help develop causal  relationship and learn about the root causes. Once the root causes are identified, it becomes  easier to plan interventions to overcome such issues.    The Kingdom of Bhutan is carbon negative, sequestering more carbon dioxide than it emits.  Despite recent economic growth and development causing its national emissions to rise, it has  pledged to remain carbon neutral by ensuring the capacity of its carbon sinks through forest  protection, as well as through setting out plans for its cities to pursue low carbon development  pathways.     Application     The tool was used while developing programs that we will be prioritising for next five years. I  was particularly engaged in understanding the climate change issues, impacts and propose  interventions to curtail emissions and livelihood options to reduce poverty and empower women.     It was necessary for me to understand the various sectors contributing to the national emissions.  The mind map tool helped to understand the theory of change to achieve the overall objective to  remain carbon neutral.     This helped me to conclude that the emission from the transport sectors is on the rise since the  number of vehicles on the road has been increasing exponentially over the years in Bhutan. Once  the transport sector was identified a similar mind map exercise helped to find out the factors or  causes leading to higher emissions in that sector.    Based on the findings, I was able to propose some of the interventions such as revision of vehicle  emission standards, switch to cleaner technologies like electric and hybrid vehicles and  improving public transport systems.     Insight and Approach    The exercise was very useful during the stakeholder consultations. It helped me to articulate the  issues better with visual representation and seek input from the sector experts. First, as  mentioned above I started with the long-term impact or result, which was to maintain the  emissions below the sequestration level. Then looked at the emissions scenario of different  sectors like agriculture, transport, buildings and industries. The transport sector being one of the  highest contributor to national emissions was considered for planning of plans and programs.

The tool was used to again understand the root causes and I was able to identify policy  interventions, institutional and capacity buildings in order to bring reforms. I feel that this tool is  very useful and relevant for me.

