Bhutan
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Statement
by
H.E. Dasho Nado Rinchhen
Minister, National Environment Commission
Bhutan
14th Session of the CSD
Ministerial Interactive Discussions on
?The Way Forward?
10-12 May 2006
New York
Page 2 of 3
Mr.Chairman, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen :
Bhutan is very happy to participate in the 14th Session of the Commission on
Sustainable Development. The thematic discussions on energy for sustainable
development, industrial development, air pollution/atmosphere and climate
change are key issues that need to be addressed if we are to leave a better
world for the future generation.
The world today is seeing an unprecedented demand for energy. The global
search for more and more energy sources is driven by mankind?s desire to propel
economic growth. Energy demand is projected to increase by 60% over the next
25 years, mostly in developing countries. This insatiable thirst for energy,
especially in the developing countries has made them highly vulnerable to energy
shocks due to rise in the price of the conventional fossil fuels and other impacts
like global warming, climate change and environmental degradation. Carbon
sequestration and nuclear have been identified as some of the measures by
developed countries to provide clean energy and hopefully take care of the
environment. Enhancing energy security has, therefore, gained center stage and
forms a major part of the foreign policy of many developed and developing
nations today.
Mr.Chairman and distinguished delegates.
In Bhutan, our central development philosophy is based on the concept of
maximizing gross national happiness or GNH. The guiding principles of GNH are
(i) Sustainable socio-economic development, (ii) promotion of culture, (iii) Good
Governance and (iv) conservation of the environment. It places people and the
sustainable use of the environment at the center of all development. The
thematic discussions in the 14th CSD blend well with our concept of GNH.
Bhutan is a landlocked mountainous country. Fortunately, we are blessed with
abundance of water. This is slowly being tapped to generate hydropower both for
domestic use and export of electricity. Bhutan?s key to sustainable development
lies in our ability to harness the hydropower resources to stimulate economic
growth, reduce poverty and earn the much needed foreign exchange. Yet, this
very source of clean sustainable energy is being threatened on account of global
warming as our glaciers, the source of Bhutan?s perennial rivers, are receding.
Bhutan, a country that places environment at the centre stage of socio-economic
development, is not being spared its share of global warming effects for no fault
of hers. Our first National Communication to the UNFCC shows that Bhutan is a
net sequester of GHG on account of her la rge forest cover.
We have developed master plans that would enable Bhutan to come up with the
proper policy, encourage the development of renewable energy to contribute to
socio-economic development, provide alternative and clean energy supply
options from renewable resources, and foster use of energy efficient
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technologies and demand side management. These objectives and strategies
are being implemented through adoption of appropriate policies, power sector
reforms, and specific development plans for hydropower, solar systems, and biomass
technology. We have also introduced appropriate reforms and legislations
to promote industrial development in a sustainable environment friendly manner.
For any sort of development to take place, we realize that provision of adequate
energy is the key. It is a prerequisite for poverty alleviation and achieving the
MDGs. We have a vision to provide ?Electricity for all? by 2020. This is not just
aimed at providing a clean source of energy but also as a means to reduce on
the consumption of fuel wood. We are currently one of the largest per capita
consumer of fuel wood.
Mr.Chairman :
For the LDCs, the major barrier to sustainable energy is financing. Renewable
energy technologies are expensive and the cost of supply high. The Clean
Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol, has given some hope for
access to financing. However, this is also not straight forward as procedures are
cumbersome, transaction costs are high and additionality requirements are
difficult to fulfill.
In conclusion, Mr.Chairman and distinguished delegates, I would like to submit
the following recommendations for consideration by the 14th session of the
commission on Sustainable Development as the Way Forward :
1. Renewable energy must be encouraged with appropriate reforms and
policies to combat climate change and global warming.
2. Special needs of LDCs for financing capacity building and technology
transfer must be supported.
3. ODAs and soft loans are necessary to make renewable energy technology
affordable and available to the rural masses for poverty alleviation.
4. Regional cooperation in the form of transmission and gas grids are
necessary for optimal supply of energy.
5. The CDM transaction costs and additionality requirements need to be
relaxed.
6. All nations must support climate change mitigation measures for the
environmental well being .
I thank you for your kind attention.
Statement
by
H.E. Dasho Nado Rinchhen
Minister, National Environment Commission
Bhutan
14th Session of the CSD
Ministerial Interactive Discussions on
?The Way Forward?
10-12 May 2006
New York
Page 2 of 3
Mr.Chairman, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen :
Bhutan is very happy to participate in the 14th Session of the Commission on
Sustainable Development. The thematic discussions on energy for sustainable
development, industrial development, air pollution/atmosphere and climate
change are key issues that need to be addressed if we are to leave a better
world for the future generation.
The world today is seeing an unprecedented demand for energy. The global
search for more and more energy sources is driven by mankind?s desire to propel
economic growth. Energy demand is projected to increase by 60% over the next
25 years, mostly in developing countries. This insatiable thirst for energy,
especially in the developing countries has made them highly vulnerable to energy
shocks due to rise in the price of the conventional fossil fuels and other impacts
like global warming, climate change and environmental degradation. Carbon
sequestration and nuclear have been identified as some of the measures by
developed countries to provide clean energy and hopefully take care of the
environment. Enhancing energy security has, therefore, gained center stage and
forms a major part of the foreign policy of many developed and developing
nations today.
Mr.Chairman and distinguished delegates.
In Bhutan, our central development philosophy is based on the concept of
maximizing gross national happiness or GNH. The guiding principles of GNH are
(i) Sustainable socio-economic development, (ii) promotion of culture, (iii) Good
Governance and (iv) conservation of the environment. It places people and the
sustainable use of the environment at the center of all development. The
thematic discussions in the 14th CSD blend well with our concept of GNH.
Bhutan is a landlocked mountainous country. Fortunately, we are blessed with
abundance of water. This is slowly being tapped to generate hydropower both for
domestic use and export of electricity. Bhutan?s key to sustainable development
lies in our ability to harness the hydropower resources to stimulate economic
growth, reduce poverty and earn the much needed foreign exchange. Yet, this
very source of clean sustainable energy is being threatened on account of global
warming as our glaciers, the source of Bhutan?s perennial rivers, are receding.
Bhutan, a country that places environment at the centre stage of socio-economic
development, is not being spared its share of global warming effects for no fault
of hers. Our first National Communication to the UNFCC shows that Bhutan is a
net sequester of GHG on account of her la rge forest cover.
We have developed master plans that would enable Bhutan to come up with the
proper policy, encourage the development of renewable energy to contribute to
socio-economic development, provide alternative and clean energy supply
options from renewable resources, and foster use of energy efficient
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technologies and demand side management. These objectives and strategies
are being implemented through adoption of appropriate policies, power sector
reforms, and specific development plans for hydropower, solar systems, and biomass
technology. We have also introduced appropriate reforms and legislations
to promote industrial development in a sustainable environment friendly manner.
For any sort of development to take place, we realize that provision of adequate
energy is the key. It is a prerequisite for poverty alleviation and achieving the
MDGs. We have a vision to provide ?Electricity for all? by 2020. This is not just
aimed at providing a clean source of energy but also as a means to reduce on
the consumption of fuel wood. We are currently one of the largest per capita
consumer of fuel wood.
Mr.Chairman :
For the LDCs, the major barrier to sustainable energy is financing. Renewable
energy technologies are expensive and the cost of supply high. The Clean
Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol, has given some hope for
access to financing. However, this is also not straight forward as procedures are
cumbersome, transaction costs are high and additionality requirements are
difficult to fulfill.
In conclusion, Mr.Chairman and distinguished delegates, I would like to submit
the following recommendations for consideration by the 14th session of the
commission on Sustainable Development as the Way Forward :
1. Renewable energy must be encouraged with appropriate reforms and
policies to combat climate change and global warming.
2. Special needs of LDCs for financing capacity building and technology
transfer must be supported.
3. ODAs and soft loans are necessary to make renewable energy technology
affordable and available to the rural masses for poverty alleviation.
4. Regional cooperation in the form of transmission and gas grids are
necessary for optimal supply of energy.
5. The CDM transaction costs and additionality requirements need to be
relaxed.
6. All nations must support climate change mitigation measures for the
environmental well being .
I thank you for your kind attention.
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