"Environmental Conservation and Net Zero Efforts in Bhutan", presented by Mr. Sonam Wangdi (Royal Government of Bhutan) at the 2022 ProSPER.Net Leadership Programme, 5 December, 2022.

1. Environmental Conservation and Net Zero Efforts
in Bhutan
Sonam Wangdi
sonamwangdi@moaf.gov.bt

2. Buddhism and Biodiversity Conservation
• Visionary leaders and political will
• Pre-Buddhism (Bonism)
• Coming of Buddhism

3. Evolution of Environment Policies and Legislations
1960s
1980s
• Forest Conservation
• Afforestation
• Creation of wildlife sanctuaries
1974 Forest Policy
• 1969 Forest Act of Bhutan
• Minimum of 60% forest cover
• Creation of forest reserves
• Creation of wildlife reserves
• Consolidation of national parks
• Creation of wildlife circles
1970s
Promulgation of GNH Philosophy of
Development (Four pillars)
sustainable development;
preservation and promotion of culture
conservation of the environment; and
good governance.

4. Evolution of Environment Policies and Legislations
• 1993- Revision of protected area system
• 1999- Declaration of Biological Corridor as “A gift to the Earth from people
of Bhutan”.
• 2005- UNEP Champions of Earth.
• 2006- J Paul Getty Award for conservation leadership
• 2011- HM JSW’s induction into Kyoto Earth Hall of Fame
• 2022- Asahi Glass Foundation- Blue Planet Award
• 2007: National Environment Protected Act (Umbrella legislation for environment
protection and conservation)
• 2008- Declaration of the largest National Park- Wangchuck Centennial NP
• 2009- Commitment to carbon neutrality at COP15
• 2016- Economic Development Policy (a policy to pursue green growth)
• 2020- Climate Change Policy (enhance climate resilience carbon neutral

5. Ensuring Protected Areas and Forest Cover remains
Article 5(1):
• Every Bhutanese is a trustee of the Kingdom’s natural resources
• It is the fundamental duty of every citizen to contribute to the protection of
the natural environment.
Article 5(3):
• A minimum of sixty percent of Bhutan’s total land shall be maintained
under forest cover for all time.
Environmental Conservation: One of the four
Pillars of Gross National Happiness

6. A bio-diverse protected area system

11. Bhutan at crossroads- Moving forward
• Land use change: fast paced economic development
• Human wildlife conflict
• Poaching for illegal wildlife trade
• Pollution (solid waste, water, soil and air pollution)
• Invasive alien species (IAS) (46 species records of which 8 are major
IAS)
• Decreasing foreign aid Vs the increasing cost of conservation
• Climate Change and its impact on conservation

12. Sustainable Development Path
• Triple Planetary Crisis
– Climate Change
– Biodiversity Loss
– Pollution
• Chemical Pollution
• Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loading- excessive use of fertilizers
• Air Pollution
– Land Conversion
– Fresh water withdrawals
– Economic Recovery- (how do we balance C with D)

13. • Sustainable forest management and conservation of biodiversity
• Promotion of low carbon transport system
• Minimize GHG emission through the application of zero waste concept
• Promote a green and self-reliant economy towards carbon-neutral and
sustainable development
• Promote clean, renewable energy generation
• Promote climate-smart agriculture and farming practices
• Promote energy efficient appliance for energy demand management
• Integration of low emission strategies for urban and rural settlements
1st Nationally Determined Contributions (Bhutan’s
commitments to net-zero)

14. 2nd Nationally Determined Contributions (Bhutan’s
commitments to net-zero)
• Sustainable forest management and conservation
• Low Emission Development Strategy for food security
• Low Emission Development Strategy for human settlement
• Low Emission Development Strategy for industries
• Low Emission Development Strategy for surface transport
• Waste management strategy
• Sustainable hydropower development
• Alternative renewable energy
• Green hydrogen roadmap
• National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Policy

15. In Harmony with Nature
Thank You
In Harmony with Nature into Future