Over the years, Bhutan has established itself as one of the greenest countries in the world. King Jigme Singye Wanchuck built the Gross National Happiness index based on four pillars: environmental protection, cultural preservation, sustainable development, and good governance.
In spite of increased tourism, Bhutan has done such a good job enhancing these pillars that the country has gone beyond carbon neutral. It is carbon-negative. This means that it is not just the case that there is no net release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, but even more impressive than this — the export of renewable energy and heavy forestation places the CO2 production into the minuses.
In a TED Talk, Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said: “Our enlightened monarchs have worked tirelessly to develop our country, balancing economic growth carefully with social development, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation, all within the framework of good governance.”
So if anyone ever asks you to bet on the greenest country in the world, the impressively sustainably developed Bhutan is a safe answer.