Climate Change and Environmental Law Clinic (CC&ELC)

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.

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.

The CC&ELC got an opportunity to understand cutting-edge conservation efforts during a field trip to the White-Bellied Heron Conservation Center in Tsirang. Students learned about the critical status of this endangered bird, the operations of the captive breeding center, community engagement strategies, and the integration of technology in conservation. This visit allowed students to explore the practical and policy dimensions of protecting Bhutan’s precious biodiversity.

The CC&ELC organized an intensive field trip to Bumthang, focusing on Community Forest Management and the Conservation of Endangered Species. This immersive experience involved interactions with community forest committees, officials from Wangchuck Centennial National Park, and researchers at the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Forestry Research and Training (UWIFoRT). Students gained invaluable practical insights into grassroots forest governance, the challenges of conserving species like the Bengal tiger and red panda, and the real-world application of Bhutan’s environmental laws, bridging the gap between academic learning and field realities.

The CC&ELC spearheaded a collaborative initiative by organizing a Cross-Sectoral Workshop on Environment and Climate Change in Paro. This workshop, supported by the Karuna Foundation, brought together students and faculty from JSW Law, the College of Natural Resources (CNR), and Royal Thimphu College (RTC). The event facilitated the sharing of environmental initiatives and culminated in a significant achievement: the formation of “Nazhoen for Rangzhin” (Youth for Environment), a new inter-college youth environmental organization with an agreed Terms of Reference, showcasing the clinic’s commitment to fostering youth leadership and joint partnerships for sustainable action.

The CC&ELC conducted a vital field survey in Samar Gewog, Haa Dzongkhag, to examine the critical issues of water access and equity. This initiative provided students with direct, on-the-ground experience, engaging with local communities to understand the practical challenges and legal intricacies of water resource management. The survey aimed to gather firsthand data to inform potential legal and policy recommendations, reinforcing the clinic’s commitment to addressing environmental justice at the community level.

As part of its vital research on Water Access and Equity in Bhutan, the CC & ELC, conducted an intensive field study in Paro. The clinic engaged directly with community and district leaders including the Gup and Mangmi of Lamgong Gewog to gather firsthand insights into the real-world challenges of water management. The study aimed to bridge the gap between national water policies and their practical application on the ground, documenting everything from infrastructure issues and seasonal shortages to community-level conflict resolution.

To gain a comprehensive administrative perspective,  CC & ELC also conducted interviews with key officials from the Paro Dzongkhag administration. Engagements with the Dzongkhag Engineer, Environmental Officer, Municipal Engineer, and a Gewog Agriculture Officer provided invaluable insights into the technical, environmental, and policy-level challenges of water management. These discussions helped identify gaps between national policy and on-the-ground implementation, highlighting issues related to infrastructure, resource allocation, and inter-sectoral coordination. This official-level data is crucial for developing robust recommendations that support both community needs and administrative capacity.

As part of the Water Access and Equity in Bhutan project, the clinic conducted interviews with key officials from the Department of Environment and Climate Change(DECC) and Department of Water, to understand institutional challenges in water governance. This survey revealed a key theme in modern environmental governance: the critical need for integrated legal frameworks. Officials highlighted the challenges that arise when responsibility for a single natural resource is divided across multiple agencies. The proactive development of unified legislation, such as a proposed Water Act, demonstrates a strategic move toward harmonizing laws to improve inter-agency collaboration, clarify roles, and ensure holistic stewardship of Bhutan’s vital natural resources.

To deepen our research on environmental law, the clinics had a  consultative dialogue with senior officials from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR). The session focused on the practical implementation of the Forest and Nature Conservation Act 2023, with the clinical students engaging directly with the Director of MoENR and the Ministry’s Legal Department.  This crucial exchange provided invaluable insights into the legislative process and real-world policy challenges, bridging the gap between academic inquiry and government practice and ensuring our research is both deeply informed and practically relevant.

The Clinic conducted a virtual advocacy session on waste management for the students of Lingzhi Primary School advocacy session on waste management. Leveraging digital technology to bridge geographical distances, the session brought together young students, the school principal, and several teachers via Zoom. The primary goal was to instill a sense of environmental responsibility from a young age and empower one of Bhutan’s most remote communities with the knowledge to manage waste effectively.

The interactive dialogue was tailored for the young audience, focusing on practical and actionable concepts. Key topics included the fundamentals of waste segregation, the importance of the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle), and an overview of Bhutan’s key laws and regulations concerning waste. By connecting practical daily habits to the national legal framework, the session aimed to cultivate a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens who can lead waste management efforts in their community.

The research projects on Community Forest and Endangered Species  undertakes a comprehensive study of Bhutan’s endangered species and the vital role of community-led conservation in their survival. The Clinic will travel through the country’s diverse landscapes, from the central highlands of Trongsa and Zhemgang to the remote eastern valleys of Lhuntse, Trashigang, and Tashi Yangtse, before descending to the subtropical plains of Sarpang, Samtse, and Chukha. This path allows the researchers to work within Bhutan’s most vital protected areas, including Manas National Park, Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary, and the vast Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, all critical habitats for tigers, elephants, and golden langurs.

This research project undertakes a comprehensive study of Bhutan’s endangered species and the vital role of community-led conservation in their survival. The team will travel across the country’s diverse landscapes, from the central highlands of Trongsa and Zhemgang to the remote eastern valleys of Lhuntse, Trashigang, and Tashi Yangtse, before descending to the subtropical plains of Sarpang, Samtse, and Chukha. This strategic path allows researchers to work within Bhutan’s most vital protected areas—including Manas National Park, Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary, and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park—to directly study the habitats and populations of iconic species like the Royal Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, and golden langur.

The project’s methodology is twofold, equally prioritizing ecological science and community partnership. It involves detailed ecological assessments to monitor endangered species, their critical habitats, and understand the threats they face. Simultaneously, the research delves into the governance and success of Community Forests, and some potential challenges. By working with community leaders and forest guards, the project will document the blend of traditional knowledge and modern practices that allows these areas to flourish, while also identifying policy challenges and ways to address the policy gaps. The mission is to analyze challenges faced in light of the endangered species, while also deducing how the effective management of these community-run forests directly contributes to sustainability and ultimately showcasing how local stewardship and biodiversity protection are two fundamental pillars of Bhutan’s world-renowned conservation success.