On 12th August 2025, the Hon’ble Minister for Energy & Natural Resources, addressed global leaders on the urgent challenge of plastic pollution during the on-going Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) 5.2 meeting.
Lyonpo highlighted that Bhutan’s deep environmental values and constitutional commitment to conservation are challenged by systemic barriers-limited recycling infrastructure in mountainous terrain, absence of domestic polymer manufacturing, and high logistics costs.
While Bhutan has banned single-use plastics, enforcement gaps remain due to limited institutional capacity and informality in waste handling. Lyonpo called for Extended Producer Responsibility, formalization of waste workers, and stronger public-private partnerships.
He emphasized that the fiscal burden falls heavily on local governments and urged the use of green fiscal tools-such as plastic taxes and subsidies for biodegradable alternatives, alongside climate-aligned finance.
In the dialogue on circular economy investments, Lyonpo stressed that plastic pollution is not just an environmental issue but an economic barrier, impacting tourism, agriculture, and hydropower. He urged for harmonized global standards, blended finance for SMEs, and legally binding commitments under the Global Plastics Treaty.
Lyonpo also reaffirmed Bhutan’s commitment to a zero-waste future, ensuring no nation is left behind in the fight against plastic pollution.
