Bhutan’s bold intervention at COP28 puts fragile ecosystems in focus, Bhutan Pavilion launched

The pavilion themed ‘sustaining carbon neutrality’ will be showcasing Bhutan’s efforts in environmental conservation, as well as new emerging opportunities like carbon markets.

For the next 10 days, the Bhutan Pavilion will host over 40 events and discussions ranging from water and food security to climate finance, and diversification of energy portfolio.

At the opening plenary of COP28 Bhutan supported an initiative or dialogue on mountains and climate change to commence at this COP.

Speaking at the plenary, Bhutan’s Head of Technical Negotiations to COP28, Karma Tshering said that there is more than adequate scientific evidence proving that fragile mountain ecosystems are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change. We are already witnessing irreversible damage due to the changing climate in the Himalayan mountain ecosystems and live in constant fear.

“Bhutan made an intervention along with Kyrgyzstan to have a technical dialogue on mountains. So this is also with our effort to bring mountains at the centre of discussions, and mountains being highly vulnerable to climate change,” said Tashi Pem, the Director General of the Department of Environment and Climate Change.

According to experts, the initiative to have a dialogue on mountains and climate change will ensure that discussions surrounding the vulnerable mountain ecosystems, and mountain people and economies are kept on.

Similarly, nations kicked off the two-week proceedings with an immediate achievement, approving the blueprint for a fund that would provide money to vulnerable nations hit hardest by climate change.

The historic ‘loss and damage’ fund approved, yesterday, will initially be held at the World Bank.

Immediately after the approval of the fund, initial pledges of almost USD 250 M were made by the European Union. The COP28 hosts, UAE also pledged USD 100 M to the fund and Germany pledged another 100 M.