Navigating climate change in carbon negative Bhutan: Insights from policy influencers and comparison to the wider Himalayan region

Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges and spares no nation. Bhutan, as the only carbon negative country in the world, is no exception and being in the Himalayas – a region warming faster than the global average – further intensifies climate risks. This study explores how Bhutan navigates climate change through the perspectives of 41 policy influencers, including politicians, civil servants, and leaders from non-government organisations and the media. The findings are compared with scientific literature from the broader Himalayan region to identify shared vulnerabilities (e.g., glacial lake outburst floods, water scarcity, and agricultural disruptions) and governance challenges (e.g., financial constraints, geopolitical pressures, and gaps in policy implementation). The study reveals that Bhutan, like its Himalayan neighbours, prioritizes adaptation over mitigation due to immediate climate threats, despite its carbon-negative status. However, Bhutan faces unique pressures in upholding its dual commitments—maintaining 60% forest cover and carbon neutrality—amid competing development needs. While its Gross National Happiness (GNH) framework provides a holistic governance model, the analysis uncovers systemic barriers, including limited financing, transboundary climate risks, and uneven policy execution, which mirror regional struggles. The paper contributes to climate governance discourse by highlighting the risks of symbolic environmental pledges without robust implementation mechanisms, particularly for vulnerable mountain nations. It calls for integrated policies that bridge mitigation and adaptation, stronger regional cooperation, and equitable climate financing. The findings are relevant for policymakers in the Himalayas and international stakeholders advocating context-specific, justice-oriented climate strategies.