• Sonam’s environmental policies are effective, keeping Bhutan carbon-neutral and globally recognized.
• His policies are impressive for balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.
• Sonam hopes to achieve progress in the international climate policy sphere, increasing the responsibility of high-income countries.

Why is Wangdi’s heat level blazing?

Answer: Sonam’s environmental policies are effective, keeping Bhutan carbon-neutral and globally recognized.

Sonam Phuntsho Wangdi has had a relatively short career in the climate policy sector. He was appointed Secretary of the National Environment Commission in 2019 and holds this position to the present day. In addition, he was made Chair of the Lesser Developed Countries (LDC) committee in the same year. He has a background in economics and finance, having been a World Trade Organization negotiator from 2005 to 2008. He has shown a deep commitment to his country and was awarded the Civil Service Gold Medal for 30 years of distinguished service. During his tenure as Secretary, he has overseen the implementation of several key climate policies that have helped Bhutan maintain its status as a climate-forward country. 

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a relatively small, landlocked country bordered by two large superpowers, India and China. They were the first carbon-neutral country in the world, but man-made and environmental factors threaten to topple this achievement. In recent years Bhutan has faced issues with water management, conservation and the implementation of sustainable energy sources. They are increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters, with recent floods causing $97 million in damages in 2009 alone. Thus, Wangdi has helped modernise the climate approach for Bhutan through technological advancements and emphasising the need for efficiency and adaptability. 

What is changing Wangdi’s heat level?

Answer: Wangdi has broad authority to design and execute Bhutan’s climate strategies according to the national vision, despite material challenges.

By becoming the first carbon-neutral country Bhutan launched itself onto the global stage. However, becoming a leader in climate policy involved work on a national level and from individuals. Nationally they emphasise climate action through their deep commitment to the Gross National Happiness (GNH) programme.

The GNH is a Bhutan-unique way of measuring life, and the commission dedicated to its upholding considers a healthy environment to be a core tenet to human happiness. Additionally, Bhutan is a Buddhist country, a religion which deeply values and preaches environmental conservatism. In terms of policy, Bhutan implements policies through five and ten-year plans. Their climate policies are adapted to domestic problems and provide community and national-level solutions. For example, the National Environmental Strategy 2020 had provisions for four specific sectors; land, air, water and, life. 

However, it has been the work of Wangdi that has propelled Bhutan’s position as a climate leader. He has been a regular speaker at COP conferences, where he shares the successes and goals of Bhutan’s climate action. Additionally, as chair of the LDC committee, he was able to advocate for the needs of these states and share solutions deriving from Bhutan’s successes. Due to a combination of these factors, Bhutan has solidified itself as a champion for climate action despite its disadvantages. 

Despite this, it is important to note that public reception to climate action is not always positive. The socioeconomic reality within Bhutan has shown stagnant progress in recent years. Unemployment and poverty rates remain high, catalysed by a low literacy rate. Communities are struggling with issues such as violence against women and lack of access to infrastructural elements, such as electricity and water. 

However, due to the broad approach taken by Bhutanese policies, many of these issues are being actively addressed. The past five-year plan (2018-2023) was able to provide 61,811 new employment opportunities. Whilst many of these issues are taken into account by climate policies, and measures to mitigate these effects are being implemented, there are still shortcomings. As a result, intensive climate action may not be seen as a priority for Bhutanese people, when their communities are struggling with more pressing short-term issues. 

What is driving Wangdi? 

Answer: Wangdi is driven by the need to curb the threat of the impacts of climate change on Bhutan’s population and economy.

Wangdi is driven by his experience as an economist both on a national and international level. He worked in the Ministry of Finance for over three decades which made him intimately familiar with the financial struggles Bhutan faces. This was further driven by his experience as a WTO negotiator during the 2008 financial crisis. Due to these experiences, by the time he was appointed chair of the LDC committee, he was aware of the injustices faced by LDCs on the international level. 

As Wangdi stated, “LDCs are the most vulnerable countries, they have said again and again that we have done the least to cause the problem but we suffer the most”. Thus we can see that the injustices faced by LDCs, and specifically Bhutan, have been a driving factor for Wangdi. His time as Chair of the LDC committee was deeply influential in his approach to climate action, further solidifying the principle that an economic approach and sufficient economic capacity are vital to sustainable climate action. Additionally, the international presence he has not only allows him to advocate for Bhutan and share its climate policies but also to learn from other technologies and principles. 

However, one of the most prevalent driving factors for Wangdi is the current context of Bhutan. The importance of Bhutan’s climate struggle has been made clear. LDCs historically have had less funding and more importantly less recognition regarding their climate journeys. Bhutan is no different and is only catalysed by a lack of industrialisation and adaptation to new challenges. In recent years they have become more vulnerable to natural disasters, having an outsized negative impact due to infrastructural issues. As a result, modernisation became a necessity, and Wangdi has been the driving leader to achieve this. 

What does this mean for you? 

Answer: Smaller nations play a role both on the national and international scale to impulse solutions for the impacts of climate change.

Bhutan’s significance is often overlooked, it is a small economy and has a relatively small impact on international policy. However, in regards to climate policy Bhutan remains a leader. Wangdi is expected to continue leading Bhutan’s climate action and modernise it further. Bhutan was the first country to reach climate neutrality through its extensive forest cover, and whilst conservation issues pose a risk, Bhutan’s need to fully industrialise and accelerate economic growth to survive is more concerning. These areas of growth historically have created greater climactic damage, particularly regarding carbon emissions. 

Wangdi believes that LDCs should be supported in development and climate action so that both can be achieved for the future of these countries. Most recently, he oversaw the implementation of the Bhutan pavilion at COP28 which aims to educate on Bhutan’s climate success and encourage the cooperation of all levels of stakeholders and actors. Wangdi, no doubt, will continue to champion these values and support Bhutan through its modernisation.

IExRAIA Summer Research Program:

This article is a preview from a report on Sonam Phuntsho Wangdi produced as part of a RAIA research program on climate leaders. For a full picture of Wangdi’s climate leadership, read the full report. This project was fully financed by IE University’s IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs.

Authors: Sophia Rathleff & Maria de la Paz Gonzalez

Editor: David Salinger

Project Lead: Francia Morales