At the 28th Conference of the Parties, COP28, which ended a fortnight ago in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Bhutan negotiated to secure crucial outcomes that significantly impact the global fight against climate change. The Conference of the Parties is the supreme decision-making body on climate action. The Bhutanese delegation helped shape key decisions that address the climate change-related challenges faced by mountainous countries.
The 28th Conference of Parties was a success for mountainous countries like Bhutan, which are vulnerable to the risks of climate change. Of the many global commitments and pledges of funding support, the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund was an early success.
The fund would provide money to vulnerable nations hit hardest by climate change. Countries have pledged over USD 800 M to the fund, so far.
Similarly, Bhutan successfully advocated for the inclusion of mountains in the Global Goal on Adaptation framework.
According to a news release from the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC), the framework’s adoption provides an opportunity to deliver effective climate action for mountainous regions.
Likewise, Bhutan’s efforts at COP28 helped ensure the inclusion of mountains in the Global Stocktake text.
The news release states that the inclusion is a global acknowledgement of the impact of climate change on glaciers and their effects on lives and livelihoods.
Similarly, in line with Bhutan’s commitment to clean energy, a global agreement was also reached at COP28 to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Additionally, a consensus, dubbed the UAE Consensus, to transition away from fossil fuels, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050 was also reached.
Bhutan further solidified its climate action commitment by signing two voluntary declarations and two pledges, including the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture and the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health.
The country also joined the Global Cooling Pledge and the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge, along with the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships.
According to the DECC, Bhutan’s engagement at COP28 not only ensures its voice is heard on the global stage but also underscores its commitment to climate action, particularly in protecting Bhutan’s unique mountain ecosystem.
Sherub Dorji
