Proactive sustainability and renewable energy in Bhutan

While Bill Gates is expecting a major breakthrough in the next 15 years to save our environment, renewable energy in Bhutan has become important. The country aims to be a proactive leader in the global quest for sustainability. The South Asian landlocked country with a population of less than 1 million is not losing time and has already a lot of work done, even if it is not necessarily one of the wealthiest.

Therefore, Bhutan is into wind turbines, solar energy, bicycles, electric buses, biogas, hydroelectricity, etc. The country’s government promotes all kinds of renewable energy in order to secure its energy supply while diversifying it. Bhutan also expects to reduce its imports of fossil fuel for transportation. These politics are conducted in order to counteract the observed negative effects and threats of global warming.

In the same vein, Bhutan commits itself to preserve its forests which currently cover over 70% of its land. Also, the country is able to export its reach in reducing CO2 emissions by selling 70% of the hydroelectricity it produces to India, which, according to Bhutan’s environment commission, compensates for 4.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year. We can consider Bhutan is definitely aiming to comply with its vision of a global solution.

More precisely, concerning the bet on biogas that Bhutan is ready to take, its renewable energy department is planning to implement 2800 home biogas digesters in its 20 dzonkhags, or national districts.

Sure, international funding will be necessary as argued by Bhutan’s government. But this country’s dedication and the risks they are taking are exactly what makes it a proactive sustainability leader. As declared by its Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay: “Global warming is a global problem that requires a global solution, and shouldn’t be between the rich world versus the poor”. We can consider Bhutan is definitely aiming to comply with its vision of a global solution.

Sources: World Economic Forum, The Guardian, Bhutan