Paris Climate Summit: Bhutan absorbs more emissions than its population create

Paris: Bhutan's forests absorb three times more CO2 emissions than its population create, making it the world’s most ‘carbon negative’ country, it has emerged.

Almost three quarters of Bhutan's geographical area is covered by forests, and Thimphu has pledged to reforest its land even further.

Recently, it set a world record by planting nearly 50,000 trees in one hour.

The ‘carbon comparator’ tool, developed by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), showed that the country absorbs three times more CO2 emissions than its 700,000 population produces.

People's concern about climate change had been a key policy driver in the country, said Thinley Namgyel, the country’s chief negotiator in Paris.

“People are already noticing the temperature changes. High mountains which should be closed for months are now open year-round. Monsoon rains are not arriving on time, and then appearing when we don’t need them, destroying crops,” the Guardian quoted Namgyel as saying.

Bhutan has promised to keep at least 60% of its forest cover “in perpetuity”.

Europe’s richest country, Luxembourg, generates four times more CO2 emissions than Bhutan, despite having a smaller population.