Kingdom of Bhutan Intended Nationally Determined Contribution 2015.

The Kingdom of Bhutan is committed to a successful conclusion of negotiations under the Adhoc‐Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP) to adopt a new legally binding agreement under the UNFCCC to be implemented from 2020. In accordance with relevant paragraphs of Decisions 1/CP.19 and 1/CP.20 the Kingdom of Bhutan communicate its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) and remain carbon neutral by ensuring that emission of GHGs does not exceed the sink capacity of forests. Bhutan intends to remain carbon neutral where emission of greenhouse gases will not exceed carbon sequestration by forests, which is estimated at 6.3 million tons of CO2. 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 (pag. 1).
Strategies, plans and actions for low GHG emission development: while the basis of our mitigation efforts rests on conserving our forests as carbon sinks, managing the growing emissions as a result of economic development will be through priority strategies, plans and actions for mitigation to support a low emission development pathway. These plans and priority actions, listed below, are based on the National Environment Protection Act, National Strategy and Action Plan for Low Carbon Development (2012), Economic Development Policy (2010 and draft 2015), Bhutan Transport 2040: Integrated Strategic Vision, National Forest Policy, and other sectoral plans and strategies (pag. 3).
Sustainable forest management and conservation of biodiversity to ensure sustained environmental services; Promotion of low carbon transport system; Minimize GHG emission through application of zero waste concept and sustainable waste management practices; Promote a green and self reliant economy towards carbon neutral and sustainable development; Promote clean renewable energy generation; Promote climate smart livestock farming practices to contribute towards poverty alleviation and self sufficiency; Promote climate smart agriculture to contribute towards achieving food and nutrition security. Adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change is a priority for Bhutan. In addition to being a land locked and least developed country with a fragile mountainous environment, Bhutan is further threatened by climate change due to the high dependence of the population on agriculture and the significant role of hydropower for economic development. Bhutan also faces increasing threats from climate hazards and extreme events such as flash floods, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), windstorms, forest fires and landslides (pags. 3 and 4).
Priority adaptation needs aim to: Increase resilience to the impacts of climate change on water security through Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) approaches; Promote climate resilient agriculture to contribute towards achieving food and nutrition security; Sustainable forest management and conservation of biodiversity to ensure sustained environmental services; Strengthen resilience to climate change induced hazards; Minimize climate‐related health risks; Climate proof transport infrastructure against landslides and flash floods, particularly for critical roads, bridges, tunnel and trails; Promote climate resilient livestock farming practices to contribute towards poverty alleviation and self sufficiency; Enhancing climate information services for vulnerability and adaptation assessment and planning; Promote clean renewable and climate resilient energy generation; . Integrate climate resilient and low emission strategies in urban and rural settlements (pags. 5 and 6).