Multiple sources and official reports confirm that Bhutan maintains a net-negative carbon footprint and is widely recognized and reported as the only carbon-negative country in the world.
Bhutan, officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked country in South Asia, located in the Eastern Himalayas, bordering China to the north and northwest and India to the south and southeast. With a population of over 800,000 (800,871) and a territory of 38,394 square kilometres (14,824 sq mi), Bhutan ranks 133rd in land area and 160th in population. It is a democratic constitutional monarchy
Although Bhutan's natural heritage is still largely intact, the government has said that it cannot be taken for granted and that conservation of the natural environment must be considered one of the challenges that will need to be addressed in the years ahead. Nearly 56.3% of all Bhutanese are involved with agriculture, forestry or conservation. The government aims to promote conservation as part of its plan to target Gross National Happiness. It currently has net negative greenhouse gas emissions because the small amount of pollution it creates is absorbed by the forests that cover most of the country. While the entire country collectively produces 2,200,000 metric tons (2,200,000 long tons; 2,400,000 short tons) of carbon dioxide a year, the immense forest covering 72% of the country acts as a carbon sink, absorbing more than four million tons of carbon dioxide every year. Bhutan had a 2018 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 8.85/10, ranking it 16th globally out of 172 countries.
Bhutan has a number of progressive environmental policies that have caused the head of the UNFCCC to call it an "inspiration and role model for the world on how economies and different countries can address climate change while at the same time improving the life of the citizen." For example, electric cars have been pushed in the country and as of 2014 make up a tenth of all cars. Because the country gets most of its energy from hydroelectric power, it does not emit significant greenhouse gases for energy production.
In practice, the overlap of these extensive protected lands with populated areas has led to mutual habitat encroachment. Protected wildlife has entered agricultural areas, trampling crops and killing livestock. In response, Bhutan has implemented an insurance scheme, begun constructing solar powered alarm fences, watch towers, and search lights, and has provided fodder and salt licks outside human settlement areas to encourage animals to stay away.
The huge market value of the Ophiocordyceps sinensis fungus crop collected from the wild has also resulted in unsustainable exploitation which is proving very difficult to regulate.
Bhutan has enforced a plastic…
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Bhutan gained a lot of international attention during the Paris Agreement when it pledged to remain carbon neutral and when it declared to the world that it is the only carbon negative country in the world. However, despite being a carbon negative country and despite its pledge to remain as carbon neutral, Bhutan is still experiencing an increase in emissions of greenhouse gas at an alarming rate. My paper asserts that Bhutanese Government are not meeting its pledge to remain carbon neutral made during the international climate change treaties. My paper further contends that in order to fulfil the commitments and also the missions it has set for the country, considering the climate change challenges it is facing currently, Bhutan should act now! If the Bhutanese government let the current trend to continue, it is certain that it would not be able to fulfil its commitments made in the international climate change treaties as well as the missions it has set for itself. I conclude my paper by giving suggestions to the Bhutanese Government by claiming that it is necessary for Bhutan to amend its inadequate laws, enacting procedural laws, guidelines for implementation, setting up mandatory National Emission Reporting Requirement for industries, making environmental information and cases available to the public, getting rid of vehicle quota and by levying heavy taxes on the vehicle importing companies.
Forests play a critical role in Bhutan’s climate mitigation strategy, sequestering atmospheric carbon at a rate that enables the country to boast a net negative emissions status. Understanding how the complex topography and climate of Bhutan constrain tree growth is essential for managing this resource and predicting future responses to climate change. This study utilised dendrochronological and allometric techniques to explore how elevation (2200–3000 m) and aspect (north/south) influence the climate sensitivity of socio-economically important blue pine (Pinus wallichiana) in Western Bhutan and providing the first investigation into their influence on annual biomass accumulation.Total aboveground biomass (TAGB) and carbon accumulation rates were greater at lower elevations (2200–2400 m). Predicted peaks in TAGB and carbon accumulation occurred at 2350 m, averaging 24.5 and 11.5 kg tree−1 year−1, respectively. Mean TAGB accumulation rates were significantly greater on south-facing slopes (14.8 ± 6.5 kg tree−1 year−1) compared to the north-facing slopes (11.9 ± 5.2 kg tree−1 year−1). Dendroclimatic analysis and regression trees revealed April precipitation and late-season (August-September) minimum temperature to be major drivers of blue pine growth. These findings highlight topographically driven growth patterns useful for proactive management of blue pine.
Bhutan Is the World's Only Carbon-Negative Country | National Geographic
A festival takes place outside of Gangteng Monastery in the Phobjikha Valley of Bhutan.
Photograph by Peter Adams, Getty Images TRAVEL Visit the World's Only Carbon-Negative Country Bhutan has built sustainability into its national identity. By Soo Youn Published October 17, 2017 • 4 min read Bhutan is arguably the world’s happiest country. It’s also one of the greenest. That’s no coincidence. In fact, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck developed his signature Gross National Happiness index based on four pillars: sustainable development, environmental protection, cultural preservation, and good governance. Other countries have taken note, since the Himalayan kingdom is not only carbon neutral, but carbon negative. Also noteworthy: This is happening despite increasing tourism. One of the ways foreigners can contribute to the country’s conservation efforts is counterintuitive: by visiting. As a travel destination Bhutan remains unique, sandwiched between its heavily industrialized neighbors China and India . The isolated nation only opened up to foreign visits in 1974 and allowed TVs in 1999. Bhutan has built sustainability into its national identity. “Our enlightened monarchs have worked tirelessly to develop our country, balancing economic growth carefully with social development, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation, all within the framework of good governance,” Tshering Tobgay, Bhutan’s Prime Minister said at a 2016 TED Talk . In fact, the constitution mandates that 60 percent of its landmass be maintained and protected as forest. One of the ways the country maintains this is controlled, low impact tourism. 0:47 Unless you’re from India, Bangladesh , or the Maldives , you’ll need a visa to explore this cheery pocket of south Asia—there is no independent travel. In addition to the visa ($40), tourists must pay an additional $200 to $250 “ Minimum Daily Package Fee ” and book t
The authors present how Bhutan has revised the concept of development quantified through gross national happiness. The authors point out that along with development and the fulfillment of most basic human needs across the world, there has been a transition in the public discourse of how to increase life satisfaction, while also addressing the challenge of sustainability and environmental protection. The United Nations has helped incite this switch of perspective by supporting many holistic initiatives such as the World Happiness Report (WHR), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and the Human Development Index (HDI) which has been around since the early 90s. With these changes, Bhutan, a small Himalayan country using happiness instead of money as the main indicator for decision making, and which is the only carbon negative country in the world, has begun to draw international attention. This article analyzes the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) in Bhutan, its history, cultural relevance, scope, potentials, and limitations. It also looks at some of the challenges Bhutan is facing in regard to accomplishing its ambitious goals, as well as some valuable lessons it has to teach the rest of the world.
While Bhutan is a carbon-negative country, it still is under constant threats of climate change as it compasses global warming. The most significant impact is the melting of glaciers which has led to the loss of livelihoods including human lives. As Bhutan is a country with dramatic variations of elevation with hot and humid weather in the south to cooler regions in the north, different regions are subjected to different impacts of climate change. Using a qualitative method of research, this study examines the impact of climate change in Phobji and Gangtey Valley under Wangdue Phodrang district in Bhutan, a popular tourist and conservation spot. Previous studies in the same place have concentrated on the impact of climate change on conservation efforts and no studies have been found on the impact of climate change on other forms. This study found that climate change impacted crop cultivation, livestock, gender, and food security. Besides the negative impacts, positive impacts such as the introduction of a new variety of vegetables in greenhouses due to the rise in temperature that leads to improvement of food security have been observed.
supporting growth while maintaining Bhutan's carbon-negative status. This effort earned him recognition on the Time 100 Climate list in 2024. He has
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (born 21 February 1980) is the current King of Bhutan, reigning since 9 December 2006. A member of the Wangchuck dynasty, he is the eldest son of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and his third wife, Queen Tshering Yangdon. He received his early education in Bhutan before studying abroad in the United States and the United Kingdom, ultimately graduating from Wheaton Colle
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