The Climate Change and Environmental Law Clinic (CC&ELC) is dedicated to addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change and environmental issues through legal advocacy and expertise.
At CC&ELC, students have the opportunity to engage in hands-on clinical experience, collaborate with stakeholders, and contribute to innovative approaches in combating climate change and environmental degradation. Our vision is inspired by Bhutan’s commitment to environmental stewardship, as guided by the visionary leadership of the Monarchs.
We strive to empower the next generation of legal professionals to become advocates for climate change and environmental justice. Through rigorous academic training, experiential learning, and research, we aim to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to create positive change at local, national, and international levels.
Our clinic’s mission encompasses pedagogical, social, and academic impacts. We focus on training students in client-centered lawyering, ethical practice, and professional responsibility. Additionally, we offer seminars, workshops, and joint clinic sessions to facilitate critical discussions and skill-building.
Projects conducted by CC&ELC
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Climate Change
The Climate Change and Environmental Law Clinic initiated preliminary research on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the context of climate change with the intention of organizing a workshop on the subject. However, the team encountered a significant lack of data and recent statistics concerning CSR practices within industries. Recognizing this gap, the Clinic began drafting a concept note for the proposed workshop, highlighting the urgent need for empirical data through field visits and surveys. The concept note, along with a draft survey questionnaire, was shared with experts from WWF Bhutan, whose feedback helped refine the research approach. Subsequently, the Clinic proceeded with its field surveys.
Surveys in Phuentsholing and Samtse Dzongkhags
Phuentsholing
The initial survey was conducted from May 16–17, 2024, at the Pasakha industrial site in Phuentsholing. Students from the Clinic surveyed five industries to gather baseline data on CSR practices related to climate change. The findings were later presented to officials from WWF Bhutan, who provided further recommendations for the second phase of the research.
Samtse
In collaboration with the Entrepreneurialism Clinic, the second phase of the CSR survey was conducted across 15 industrial sites in Samtse Dzongkhag from August 28 to September 1, 2024. Based on WWF Bhutan’s recommendations and findings from the Phuentsholing survey, the research was expanded to Samtse, which hosts a significant portion of Bhutan’s industrial sector. The data collected during this phase formed the foundation for the subsequent workshop.
Workshop on Corporate Social Responsibility in Climate Change
Upon completion of the surveys and compilation of the findings, the Clinic successfully organized the Workshop on Corporate Social Responsibility in Climate Change: Towards Sustainable Solutions in December 2024. The event, funded by WWF Bhutan, brought together key stakeholders from industry, government, and civil society. Students presented their research findings, which facilitated robust discussions on the integration of sustainable and climate-responsible practices within Bhutan’s industrial sector.
Awareness workshop on illegal wildlife crime and trade for the local communities
The Clinic organized a series of Legal Awareness Workshops focusing on illegal wildlife trade and poaching, with particular emphasis on the amended Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan 2023.
Workshops were conducted in three identified hotspot areas for illegal wildlife trade and poaching: Doteng Gewog and Dokar Gewog in Paro Dzongkhag, and Rinchenzor Gewog in Pemagatshel Dzongkhag. These locations were selected based on national assessments of wildlife crime activity by the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS).
Organized in collaboration with the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS), WWF Bhutan, and JSW School of Law, the workshops were designed to empower local communities with essential legal knowledge. Through these efforts, the Clinic contributed to strengthening grassroots capacity to combat wildlife crimes and support Bhutan’s broader conservation objectives.
Climate Justice Workshop
Held on August 12–13, 2024, the Climate Justice Workshop aimed to raise awareness among participants, including members of the legal fraternity, about the severity of climate change, the global and national responses to it, and the urgent need for decisive action. The workshop explored the role of international legal mechanisms, particularly the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in addressing climate-related harm. It explored key questions such as Bhutan’s potential legal standing before the ICJ, the identification of possible defendants, the outcomes sought, and the opportunity for Bhutan to contribute to advancing global climate justice.
In preparation for the workshop, the Climate Change and Environmental Law Clinic conducted extensive research over the summer break, focusing on international environmental laws and legal principles to assess Bhutan’s position and potential legal arguments before the ICJ. During the workshop, the Clinic played a pivotal role by presenting its findings in a session titled “Does Bhutan Have a Standing to Move the ICJ? Who Would the Case Be Moved Against?”
In addition to their academic contributions, Clinic members were actively involved in organizing the workshop, coordinating logistics, managing guest arrangements, and facilitating various sessions. Their engagement underscored the Clinic’s commitment to advancing legal discourse on climate justice both within Bhutan and in the broader international context.
Climate Negotiation Workshop
The Climate Negotiation Workshop, held from September 24–26, 2024, at JSW School of Law, was organized to bridge the knowledge and skills gap among Bhutan’s emerging climate negotiators, following the retirement of several seasoned delegates. The workshop aimed to enhance the capacity of new negotiators to effectively represent Bhutan’s interests in international climate forums, particularly the Conference of the Parties (COP).
As part of the workshop’s closing session, students from the Climate Change and Environmental Law Clinic led a plenary discussion titled “What More Should Bhutan Focus on at COP, and Why?”. The session was designed to prompt critical reflection and dialogue among participants on Bhutan’s evolving role in climate negotiations.
Through a series of thought-provoking questions, students encouraged participants to identify additional areas of strategic focus for Bhutan at COP. Key discussion points included securing climate finance for vulnerable nations, aligning Bhutan’s policies with global goals by leveraging its carbon-negative status, and focusing on adaptation, loss and damage, conservation, finance, renewable energy, and community engagement at COP.
Participants also examined Bhutan’s potential contributions under various articles of the Paris Agreement, strategies to enhance engagement with international climate networks, and the importance of coalition-building, mediation, and storytelling as effective negotiation tools. The session highlighted the growing capacity of Bhutan’s youth and legal community to engage meaningfully in global climate diplomacy.
Water Privatization Research
In preparation for the Paro Forum 2025 on Water Management and Climate Change, the Climate Change and Environmental Law Clinic initiated research on the topic of water privatization, examining both the national context and international practices. The aim was to understand the implications, opportunities, and challenges of water privatization as a potential strategy for water management in Bhutan.
To gather diverse perspectives, the Clinic developed a comprehensive questionnaire targeting various stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and local communities. Consultation meetings were held on October 17–18, 2024, with key stakeholders such as the Department of Water, WWF Bhutan, Tarayana Foundation, and Bhutan Water Partnership (BhWP). In addition, a community-level survey was conducted in Lingbukha Gewog, Punakha Dzongkhag, on October 26, 2024, to capture grassroots insights on water access, use, and governance.
Paro Forum 2025: Water Management and Climate Change
The findings from the Clinic’s research were presented at the Second Paro Forum 2025 on Water Management and Climate Change. Two Clinic members contributed to the event as moderator and panelist during the student-led session titled “Innovation in Action: Commercializing Water in Bhutan.” This session highlighted the students’ in-depth research on water privatization in the Bhutanese context and offered innovative policy recommendations aimed at addressing the country’s water management challenges.
The session served as a dynamic platform for fostering dialogue on sustainable water governance and exploring the potential role of commercialization in ensuring equitable and resilient water systems in Bhutan.
Clean Energy for Better Air: Health Impact and Inclusivity Project, ICIMOD
As part of the Clean Energy for Better Air: Health Impact and Inclusivity project, funded by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Climate Change and Environmental Law Clinic, as a joint clinic project, successfully completed a round of household surveys in Haa Dzongkhag. From November 6–9, 2024, the team surveyed approximately 242 households across Katsho and Uesu Gewogs.
The project has identified Haa and Lingzhi as key research sites for assessing the intersection of clean energy access, air quality, and public health. A second phase of the household survey was conducted in Lingzhi in April 2025 to further expand the dataset and deepen the research insights.
This initiative aims to generate evidence-based findings to inform policy and practice in clean energy and environmental health. The research outcomes will be shared with stakeholders across Bhutan, with the objective of building a collaborative national network to collectively address the pressing issue of air pollution and its health impacts through inclusive and sustainable energy solutions.
