Bhutan among eight NetZero emissions countries: World Economic Forum

70 pc forest cover & sustainable practices turn Bhutan into carbon sink
2023-08-17
/
/ New Delhi
Bhutan among eight NetZero emissions countries: World Economic Forum

Bhutan charges all international tourists a sustainable development fee of USD 200 per person per day (Photo: India Outbound)

The Dragon Kingdom of Bhutan has not only joined the ranks of eight nations to have reached NetZero carbon emissions, but the tiny land has also become what could be the world’s first carbon sink, thanks to its moderate population, 70 pc forest coverage & sustainable management that have paved the roadmap for the nation to attain a NetZero feat.
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A group of eight nations across the world have become the first in the world to achieve NetZero target that has been set by the Paris Climate Agreement for nations to achieve, which means that their net carbon emissions come down to zero.

According to a report by the World Economic Forum, Bhutan has not only curbed its carbon footprint, but also transformed into a carbon sink, absorbing more carbon dioxide (CO2) than it releases.

Bhutan is one among the 196 nations that committed to the Paris Agreement during the UN Climate Change Conference focused on restricting global temperature increases to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, says the statement.

It adds that Bhutan’s success as the first nation to achieve NetZero is rooted in its population of 800,000 and its remarkable forest coverage of 70 pc. It prioritises sustainable organic farming and forestry practices, accentuated by the reliance on hydropower and the tourism management. Bhutan charges all international tourists a sustainable development fee of USD 200 per person per day.

According to the report, the control of emissions is also attributed to forests being an intrinsic part of its spiritual heritage. Guided by a climate-conscious forest economy, Bhutan mitigates greenhouse gas emissions, preserves wildlife habitats, mitigates forest fires and practises sustainable forest management for timber, fruit, and rubber, fostering a circular economy. The nation has embarked on pilot projects that explore sustainable timber construction, showcasing innovative solutions.

Apart from Bhutan, Comoros nestled in the Indian Ocean and Gabon in Central Africa have managed to control the carbon emissions and serve as a blueprint for other countries. Guyana and Suriname in South America, Madagascar off the eastern coast of Africa, Niue in the South Pacific Ocean and Panama between Central and South America are others in the list of countries to have achieved NetZero emissions, adds the statement.

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