Bhutan Launches 5th National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Strategic Insights -

Bhutan has made a historic commitment to safeguarding its biodiversity and ecosystems by launching the 5th National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) on World Ozone Day. The NBSAP sets 20 ambitious targets to strengthen ecosystems, link conservation with livelihoods, cultural heritage, and economic resilience, and promote harmony between people and nature. This strategy marks a new chapter in Bhutan's environmental stewardship and reaffirms its global leadership in biodiversity conservation. Building on the successes of its predecessors, the 5th NBSAP takes a holistic approach to biodiversity management, incorporating ecosystem restoration, species and genetic diversity conservation, sustainable resource use, pollution reduction, climate adaptation, and institutional strengthening. For the first time, the strategy is aligned with Bhutan's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Takeaways:

  • The 5th NBSAP aims to safeguard Bhutan's biodiversity, strengthen ecosystems, and promote harmony between people and nature by 2030.
  • The strategy sets 20 ambitious national targets aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the SDGs.
  • The NBSAP adopts an integrated approach to biodiversity management, incorporating ecosystem restoration, species and genetic diversity conservation, sustainable resource use, pollution reduction, climate adaptation, and institutional strengthening.
  • The strategy highlights the interconnected nature of the triple planetary crises – climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution – and seeks to address them in an integrated manner.
  • The NBSAP is closely aligned with the 13th Five-Year Plan and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) to ensure coordinated implementation and effective resource utilisation.
  • The success of the NBSAP will depend on coordinated efforts from government agencies, local governments, communities, civil society organisations, the private sector, academia, and development partners.
  • The strategy will focus on mainstreaming biodiversity across key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, energy, finance, and urban development.
  • The NBSAP highlights Bhutan's biodiversity-climate nexus, where conserving nature directly contributes to climate resilience, green jobs, and sustainable growth.
  • The strategy was prepared jointly by the National Biodiversity Centre and the Department of Environment and Climate Change with support from the UNDP and the GEF.

Statistics:

  • 20 targets set by the 5th NBSAP to safeguard Bhutan's biodiversity and strengthen ecosystems.
  • 2030 – the year by which the NBSAP aims to achieve its 20 national targets.
  • 13th Five-Year Plan – the plan under which the NBSAP is closely aligned to ensure coordinated implementation and effective resource utilisation.
  • 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – scheduled to take place from 10-21 November in Belem, Brazil.

Sources:

  • "Bhutan Launches 5th National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan" by World Ozone Day.
  • The 5th National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).
  • "Bhutan Unveils 5th National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan" by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
  • "Bhutan Launches 5th National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan" by Department of Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.