On September 15, 2025, the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) launched the development of the country’s National Clean Air Action Plan (NCAAP) through an inception workshop held in Thimphu. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to improve air quality monitoring and ensure a healthy environment.
Despite placing environmental conservation as a core pillar of development, the country is increasingly facing air quality challenges. Rapid urbanization, increased motorization, industrial growth, residential and biomass burning, forest fire and transboundary pollution are contributing to rising particulate matter (PM2.5) levels.
The NCAAP aims to provide a comprehensive, evidence-based strategy to address air pollution sources, strengthen institutional frameworks, and ensure effective monitoring and coordination across sectors. It will be aligned with Bhutan’s development priorities and the environmental and climate policies.
The workshop brought together representatives from various government agencies, private sector, academia, civil society, and development partners including technical experts from outside Bhutan. Participants discussed Bhutan’s air quality status, data and monitoring needs, sustainable transport, industrial compliance, digital tools, gender and social inclusion in clean air strategies. The event also outlined a roadmap for NCAAP development, including stakeholder roles, data generation, emission inventories, and policy integration.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Guest, Dasho Tashi Wangmo, Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, emphasized the importance of integrated and coordinated approaches in tackling air pollution. At the close of the event, Dasho Karma Tshering, Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to evidence-based policy action for clean air and sustainable growth, calling upon the support of all the stakeholders to develop a robust and implementable clean air action plan for Bhutan.
