Bhutan: environment

Is Bhutan carbon negative?

Bhutan's net greenhouse gas emissions were minus 9,707.94 gigagrams of CO2 equivalent in 2022, meaning its forests absorbed about 9.7 million tonnes more than the country emitted, according to the Statistical Yearbook of Bhutan 2025. Emissions from energy were 559.38 Gg, industry 673.93 Gg and waste 99.01 Gg, against a sink capacity of minus 11,450.45 Gg.

The figures come from Bhutan's reporting to the UN climate convention (UNFCCC). Net emissions have been negative in every year since 1994 in the series. The sink depends on forest cover, which the yearbook puts at 69.71% of the land area.

Official sources: NSB: Statistical Yearbook of Bhutan 2025 (PDF)

How much electricity does Bhutan generate and export?

Bhutan generated 15,919.60 million units (gigawatt-hours) of electricity in 2025 and exported 7,927.46 million units, about half, according to the Statistical Yearbook of Bhutan 2025.

The Ministry of Finance's budget report names hydropower development as a main driver of growth and electricity exports as a major source of export earnings. Generation minus exports leaves 7,992.14 million units, which covers domestic consumption and losses. One unit is one kilowatt-hour, so a million units is one gigawatt-hour.

Official sources: NSB: Statistical Yearbook of Bhutan 2025 (PDF)

What is the air quality in Bhutan?

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at the Thai Pavilion station in Thimphu averaged 15.53 micrograms per cubic metre in 2025, down from 32 in 2024, according to the air quality table in the Statistical Yearbook of Bhutan 2025. Coarser PM10 at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources station in Thimphu averaged 22.90.

These are annual averages at a few monitoring stations, mostly in Thimphu and Phuentsholing, and not a national figure. For comparison, the World Health Organization's guideline for annual PM2.5 is 5 micrograms per cubic metre.

Official sources: NSB: Statistical Yearbook of Bhutan 2025 (PDF)

How much CO2 does Bhutan emit per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Bhutan at 2.0 tonnes in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 2.4 tonnes; its low point was 2005, at 0.8 tonnes. It is 3rd highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is 1.5 tonnes. World rank, highest first: 103rd of 186.

What are Bhutan's emissions?

2.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent: that is total greenhouse gas emissions in Bhutan for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. The peak was 3.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2019 and the low 1.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2005. Across South Asia the middle value was 39.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Bhutan placed 5th highest of 6. Worldwide: 157th of 186.

How much renewable energy does Bhutan use?

82.5%: that is the renewable share of final energy use in Bhutan for 2022, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at 92.0%; its low point was 2017, at 79.7%. Worldwide: 8th of 53.

How much of Bhutan is forest?

70.4%: that is forest area as a share of land in Bhutan for 2024, according to the FAO. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 71.2%; its low point was 2005, at 69.7%. Across South Asia the middle value was 29.4%, and Bhutan placed 1st highest of 6. World rank, highest first: 17th of 190.

How polluted is the air in Bhutan?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Bhutan was 30.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. The peak was 35.7 micrograms per cubic metre in 2009 and the low 25.7 micrograms per cubic metre in 2022. Across South Asia the middle value was 41.6 micrograms per cubic metre, and Bhutan placed 4th highest of 6. Worldwide: 49th of 192.

What share of Bhutan is protected land?

51.6%: that is the share of land in protected areas in Bhutan for 2025, according to the UN Environment Programme. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2013. It is 1st highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is 15.7%. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 3rd highest.

How much of Bhutan's fresh water is used?

According to the FAO, water stress in Bhutan was 1.4% in 2022. It has not changed since 2008. Across South Asia the middle value was 12.0%, and Bhutan placed 6th highest of 6. Worldwide: 156th of 175.