Meta Data
Draft: 
Yes
Revision of previous policy?: 
No
Draft Year: 
2015
Effective Start Year: 
2015
Scope: 
National
Document Type: 
Other
Economic Sector: 
Multi-Sector
Energy Types: 
Power, Renewable, Bioenergy, Hydropower, Solar, Wind
Issued by: 
National Environment Commission Royal Government of Bhutan
Overall Summary: 
The Kingdom of Bhutan stresses its commitment to remain carbon neutral. It calls the global community to support its efforts to fulfil its commitment towards the achievement of the INDCs by undertaking appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures.  
Efficiency
EE action plans: 
Energy demand side management by promoting energy efficiency in appliances, buildings and industrial processes and technologies. Integration of low emission strategies in urban and rural settlements through green buildings, sustainable construction methods and climate smart cities.---Promote a green and self reliant economy towards carbon neutral and sustainable development through: Improvement of manufacturing processes in existing industries through investments and adoption of cleaner technology, energy efficiency and environmental management[...].
EE transport standards : 
Promotion of low carbon transport system by: Improving mass transit and demand side management of personal modes of transport Exploring alternative modes of transport to road transport such as rail, water and gravity ropeways; Improving efficiency in freight transport; Promoting non‐motorized transport and non‐fossil fuel powered transport such as electric and fuel cell vehicles Improving efficiency and emissions from existing vehicles through standards and capacity building; Promoting use of appropriate intelligent transport systems.
Renewable Energy
RE prioritization, portfolio standards: 
Promote clean renewable and climate resilient energy generation by: • Diversifying energy supply mix through promotion of renewable energy (solar, wind, small hydro, biomass) other than large hydro and creating investment opportunities.
Environment
GHG emissions reduction targets: 
[...] The gases covered include carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. ---In addition, Bhutan can offset up to 22.4 million tons of CO2e per year by 2025 in the region through the export of electricity from our clean hydropower projects.
Decarbonization strategy: 
Bhutan intends to remain carbon neutral where emission of greenhouse gases will not exceed carbon sequestration by our forests[...].---Various [...] policies [...]contribute to mitigation such as sustainable land management practices, [...] promotion of zero emission vehicles. The Economic Development Policy of 2010 and draft of 2015 also provide several measures to promote “green growth” for industrial development. The present five year development plan (2013‐18) has also integrated carbon neutral development as part of the national key result areas to guide planning and implementation of development activities within all sectors.---Promotion of low carbon transport system by: Improving mass transit and demand side management of personal modes of transport[...]; Improving efficiency in freight transport; Promoting non‐motorized transport and non‐fossil fuel powered transport such as electric and fuel cell vehicles Improving efficiency and emissions from existing vehicles through standards and capacity building; [...].---Promote a green and self reliant economy towards carbon neutral and sustainable development through: Improvement of manufacturing processes in existing industries through investments and adoption of cleaner technology, energy efficiency and environmental management.--- Integration of low emission strategies in urban and rural settlements through green buildings, sustainable construction methods and climate smart cities.
Carbon markets: 
Promote clean renewable energy generation: Pursue sustainable and clean hydropower development with support from CDM or other climate market mechanisms to reduce emissions within Bhutan and the region by exporting surplus electricity.
Land use change for energy production purposes: 
Bhutan will maintain a minimum of 60 percent of total land under forest cover for all time in accordance the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Efforts will also be made to maintain current levels of forest cover, which currently stand at 70.46%, through sustainable forest management and conservation of environmental services.
Energy-water nexus: 
Presently, Bhutan offsets 4.4 million tons of CO2e through exports of hydroelectricity. ---Promote clean renewable energy generation: Pursue sustainable and clean hydropower development with support from CDM or other climate market mechanisms to reduce emissions within Bhutan and the region by exporting surplus electricity.
Cooperation in env.: 
[I]nternational support will be essential to ensure success in implementing the strategies, plans and actions for low GHG development.
Energy Supply and Infrastructure
Cooperation in connectivity: 
As part of the decarbonization strategy, Bhutan promoted clean renewable energy generation pursue sustainable and clean hydropower development with support from CDM or other climate market mechanisms to reduce emissions within Bhutan and the region by exporting surplus electricity.
Technology
Clean energy technology priorities: 
Promote a green and self reliant economy towards carbon neutral and sustainable development through: Improvement of manufacturing processes in existing industries through investments and adoption of cleaner technology, energy efficiency and environmental management[...].
Industrialization support: 
Promote a green and self reliant economy towards carbon neutral and sustainable development through: Improvement of manufacturing processes in existing industries through investments and adoption of cleaner technology, energy efficiency and environmental management.