According to a study conducted by the National Environment Commission (NEC), Bhutan could lose its carbon neutral status by 2035, if the current trend continues. However, if the country’s commitments at the Climate Series are anything to go by, this could be reversed. The Central Bank, Bank of Bhutan, Bhutan Ecological Society, Tourism Council, and Thimphu Thromde are up for green initiatives. The focus is on green financing, green transportation, and erecting energy-efficient buildings.
Studies have found that globally, buildings consume about 40 per cent of energy and are responsible for a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions. But Bhutan could have an alternative.
According to the Executive Vice-President of Bhutan Ecological Society, Dr Nawang Norbu, the agency will focus on improving frameworks and supporting supply chains to promote energy-efficient buildings in the country.
“The high-altitude towns such as Bumthang and Haa could have homes which are not only warmer in winter but also consume significantly less energy,” he said.
And the Bank of Bhutan will supplement this effort through green financial products.
The Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Dorji Kadin, said they will make all of their regional offices in the country energy-efficient.
Its head office building in Thimphu is an iconic energy-efficient building, constructed in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Department of Renewable Energy under the economic affairs ministry.
Of the five leading institutions that pledged to promote green initiatives, Tourism Council and Thimphu Thromde are no less either. With the country’s transport heavily reliant on fossil fuels, the agencies are committed to promoting green transport in the country.
The TCB has already started with the green certification of hotels. The council’s Director-General, Dorji Dradhul said they will also integrate green transport in tourism through electric vehicles.
Similarly, Thimphu Thromde is already rolling out green and smart transportation systems through increased and defined bus routes and stations city buses.
The thromde’s 73 new buses with smart card system will hit the street soon.
All these commitments will go a long way to reduce carbon footprints and greenhouse gas emissions while also ensuring that the country maintains its carbon-neutral status for decades.
Phub Gyem
Edited by Chayku
