Gross National Happiness

World’s First Carbon Minus Country

Bhutan’s glaciers, nestled in the high Himalayas, are the lifelines of its rivers and the heart of its environmental identity. Yet they are retreating rapidly due to climate change, threatening water security, hydropower, and the livelihoods of thousands downstream. Despite contributing almost nothing to global emissions, Bhutan has emerged as a global environmental champion, guided by its Constitution, which mandates that at least 60 percent of the country remain under forest cover for all time. This visionary clause guided by the philosophy of Gross National Happiness, reflects Bhutan’s deep respect for nature, rooted in Buddhist values of interdependence and compassion.

The nation’s commitment to being carbon neutral—and in fact carbon minus—demonstrates thatsmall countries can lead with moral clarity. As Bhutan watches its glaciers melt, it continues to advocate for global climate action, reminding the world that protecting nature is not only an ecological duty but a constitutional and spiritual responsibility.