How the change works
- 01 / Public decision
Constitutional obligation
- 02 / Physical change
Forest cover to maintain
- 03 / Possible outcome
Protection beyond the political mandate
Writing a minimum forest threshold in the Constitution makes its conservation a commitment that exceeds the individual government program.
Research and local documents ↓What the evidence tells us
Article 5.3 of the Constitution of Bhutan requires keeping at least 60% of the territory under forest cover. The 2015 national inventory accounts separately for emissions and removals.
A threshold written in the Constitution
60 % of the territoryMinimum forest cover required
40 % of the territoryRemaining share of the territory
It is a legal threshold, not the observed coverage and not a cut in emissions.
Open the source ↗Read values and method
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum forest cover required | 60 % of the territory |
| Remaining share of the territory | 40 % of the territory |
It is a legal threshold, not the observed coverage and not a cut in emissions.
Putting the choices into practice
Rule
The challengeReversible protection without threshold
The responseConstitutional minimum
Indicator
The challengeSurface without definition
The responseMeasured forest cover
Climate
The challengeConfusing trees and emissions
The responseSeparate carbon inventory
The diagram compares choices and conditions for putting them into practice. Measured outcomes and their limits are discussed in the evidence.
Research and local documents ↓Conditions and limits
60% is a legal threshold, not a cut in emissions. Forest quality, biodiversity and management remain to be verified even when the surface complies with the standard.
Other possible benefits
Continuity of protection of Himalayan landscapes and habitats.
Research and local documents
- Local project or policy documentBhutan · Second Nationally Determined Contribution ↗
Institutional documentation of the program, territory or rules mentioned.
- Local project or policy documentConstitution of Bhutan, 2008 · Article 5.3 ↗
Institutional documentation of the program, territory or rules mentioned.
