- Bhutan continues to be carbon negative country and is on track to maintain its NDC with its net GHG estimated to be -6452.27 Gg Co2e as reported in its first BTR.
- The 2nd NDC still continues to be conditional wherein achieving the targets is subjected to resources available. Dagachu hydropower plant (126 MW) has been registered as CDM project and has been generation CERs since 2015. Bhutan views cooperative approacheds under the Article 6 of the Paris Agreement as an important instrument to raise the mitigation ambition.
- Carbon Market Regulations of Bhutan launched in 2023 support Bhutan’s long-term goal of remaining carbon neutral by providing an additional source of revenue against the transfer of mitigation outcomes. Bhutan launched it carbon registry at COP 28 and has been integrated with CAD Trust to ensure efficiency and transparency of its climate mitigation efforts, in line with Article 6 implementation. After the signing of MoU with Singapore for collaboration in Article 6, the Implementation agreement was signed between the two governments on 28 February, 2025.
NDC
1.1 Improve forest management and conservation: Maintain 436 million tonnes of forest carbon stock outside protected area system
1.2 Maintain at least 50% of land area under protected area: Maintain 201 million tonnes of forest carbon stock in protected area 51.44% of land area and 31% of forest area
1.3 Enhancement of forest carbon stock through climate smart restoration: 2000 ha of plantation and restoration work
1.4 Initiate and promote agro-forestry (12FYP): 15 acres
1.5 Conservation of wetlands (SRF Land): Conduct wetland assessment for understanding organic carbon content
2.1 Switch from synthetic to organic fertilisers: 5% annually
2.2 Improved agricultural practices: 14,971 ha
2.3 Increased biomass through increased perennial crop production: 17,495 ha
2.4 Small and medium-scale domestic biogas production: 10,254 units
2.5 Reduction of continuous rice flooding: 200 ha/year
2.6 Improved dairy cattle production through breed improvement and feeding management: 8,333 nos
3.1 Roll out of solar PV on buildings
3.2 Replacement of LPG and firewood by electricity
3.3 Increase in composting and recycling
3.4 Energy efficient and green building design
3.5 Efficient street lighting
3.6 Wastewater management
3.7 Rollout of energy efficient appliances
3.8 Solar water heaters
4.1 Replacing fossil origin reductants with renewable charcoal
4.2 Cement blending Energy efficiency measures include
• Waste heat recovery
• Refuse derived fuels in cement plants
• Energy efficiency increases in production processes
• Direct hot charging- integrated production
• Energy efficiency improvement of electric motor systems
• Conversion of diesel boilers to electric boilers
5.1 Mass transit though improvements in bus systems and the introduction of open-bus rapid transit (BRT) network (electric and diesel) and light rail transit.
5.2 Promotion of electric passenger vehicles (taxi, two wheelers, light vehicles, buses)
5.3 Low emission freight transport system for heavy and commercial trucks and freight trains
5.4 Non-motorized transport system through public bicycle systems and improved sidewalks, crosswalks
5.5 Improve fuel-efficiency in internal combustion engines through stringent vehicle and emission standards
5.6 Private vehicle demand management through shared mobility, traffic system management carpooling, ride sharing and rental services, import restriction on internal combustion engine cars from 2030 and introducing annual import quota system.
6.1 Achieve Zero Waste Bhutan whereby the current trend of disposing over 80% to the landfill is reversed to less than 20% by the year 2030 based on the principles of circular economy
7.1 Four hydropower projects under construction that are anticipated to be commissioned before 2030 viz. Punatsangchuu-I (1200MW), Punatsangchhu-II (1020MW), Kholongchhu (600MW) and Nikachhu (118MW) hydroelectric projects (HEP). In addition, the Sankosh HEP (2585 MW), Dorjilung HEP (1125 MW) and Nyera Amari (404MW) are priority projects that will be pursued based on evolving national circumstances.
8.1 71.11 MW of utility scale solar and wind energy (17.38 MW solar in Sephu, 30.73 MW solar in Shingkhar and 23 MW wind in Gaselo).
8.2 Alternative renewable energy project to install roof mounted solar PV on 300 rural households to enable access to clean energy and displace fuelwood consumption. The regulatory policies and tariff structure for solar feed-in tariff will be prepared to encourage the growth of the prosumer market.
8.3 An 80-kW decentralised solar PV plant shall be developed to provide reliable and sustainable electricity supply to the Aja Ney community which is inside the Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary. This intervention is intended to enable access to clean energy for the communities while also curtailing their dependence on firewood.
8.4 More than 50 Solar Water Heating Systems (SWHS) of 1000 litres per day (LPD) capacity shall be installed in various public institutions (schools, monasteries, hospitals etc.), to curtail pressure on firewood which is otherwise deployed for heating water.
8.5 The remote Lunana community will be provided with a 500-kW mini-hydel to meet the energy demands of the community through a sustainable and reliable approach. This will eliminate the need for a 97 km transmission line in a national protected area and avoid deforestation and degradation.
8.6 The feasibility of a waste to energy plant of utility scale in Thimphu will be undertaken and implemented to convert the organic waste to energy and reduce landfill emissions.
9.1 In line with the Sustainable Hydropower Policy 2021, the potential for the use of hydrogen created from green renewable electricity in Bhutan will be pursued.
National Energy Efficiency & Conservation Policy 2019 and Energy Efficiency Roadmap 2019
10.1 The action plan aims to contribute towards the NDC mitigation measures by enhancing demand side management through
• Promotion of EE in appliances
• Buildings
• Industrial processes and technologies
11.1 Cooperative mechanisms to achieve sustainable development and mitigation ambitions
Adaption Action Plan
1.1 Increase resilience to the impacts of climate change on water security through Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) approaches.
2.1 Promote climate resilient agriculture to contribute towards achieving food and nutrition security
3.1 Promote climate resilient livestock farming practices to contribute towards poverty alleviation and self sufficiency
4.1 Maintain 436 million tonnes of forest carbon stock outside protected area system
4.2 Maintain at least 50% of land area under protected area
4.3 Enhancement of forest carbon stock through climate smart restoration
4.4 Initiate and promote agro-forestry (12FYP)
5.1 Strengthen resilience to climate change induced hazards
6.1 Minimize climate‐related health risks
7.1 Climate proof transport infrastructure against landslides and flash floods, particularly for critical roads, bridges, tunnel and trails
8.1 Enhancing climate information services for vulnerability and adaptation assessment and planning
9.1 Alternative renewable energy project to install roof mounted solar PV on 300 rural households to enable access to clean energy and displace fuelwood consumption. The regulatory policies and tariff structure for solar feed-in tariff will be prepared to encourage the growth of the prosumer market.
9.2 An 80-kW decentralised solar PV plant shall be developed to provide reliable and sustainable electricity supply to the Aja Ney community which is inside the Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary. This intervention is intended to enable access to clean energy for the communities while also curtailing their dependence on firewood.
9.3 The remote Lunana community will be provided with a 500-kW mini-hydel to meet the energy demands of the community through a sustainable and reliable approach. This will eliminate the need for a 97km transmission line in a national protected area and avoid deforestation and degradation.
10.1 Integrate climate resilient and low emission strategies in urban and rural settlements.
Source:
- Bhutan REDD+ Strategy and Action Plan (PDF)
- Bhutan REDD+ Official Website – Accessed on 14 Oct 2022
- Low Emission Development Strategy – Human Settlement (PDF)
- Power System Information Report, DRE, MOEA
- Bhutan Ramps Up Solar Energy Ambitions – The Third Pole
- Low Emission Development Strategy for Industries – UNDP Bhutan
- Low Emission Development Strategy for Surface Transport – UNDP Bhutan
- Sustainable Low Emission Urban Transport Systems – UNDP Bhutan
- Bhutan Cabinet Portal
- National Environment Commission – Policy and Strategy Publications
- Waste Management Flagship Program – The Bhutanese
- Status of Punatsangchu I, II, and Kholongchu Hydropower Projects – The Bhutanese
- 600 MW Kholongchhu JV Project Headed for Closure – Bhutan Today
- Bhutan Embarks on Small Hydropower Projects – Kuensel Online
- National Adaptation Plan for Bhutan (Water Sector, 2019–2023)
- UNDP Project #00080724 – Bhutan
- GCF Adaptation Planning Support for Bhutan – UNDP
- Water Flagship Program – GNHC Bhutan
- Climate Resilient Agriculture – UNDP Bhutan
- GCF Project FP107 – Supporting Climate Resilience in Bhutan
- UNDP Project #00080725 – Bhutan