Background

Climate Change is a global phenomenon and its adverse impact has become more pronounced over the years. The impact has wreaked havoc in almost all parts of the world and the BIMSTEC region is no exception. Recognizing the adverse impact on the lives and livelihood of the people and the serious threats that it poses to the region, the BIMSTEC Leaders agreed to explore collaborative initiatives and enhance cooperation in environmental protection and sustainable development under the Environment and Climate Change Sector (ECC).

The Leaders at the 5th BIMSTEC Summit held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 30 March 2022, approved the rationalization and reconstitution of the Sectors and Sub-sectors. Accordingly, Environment and Climate Change has been identified as one of the 7 sectors of BIMSTEC cooperation. Bhutan is the lead country for the Environment and Climate Change Sector.

Institutional Mechanism

The Joint Working Group on Environment and Climate Change (JWG-ECC) is the main institutional mechanism to conduct the business of the Environment and Climate Change Sector.  The meeting decisions of the JWG-ECC are submitted to the BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) and subsequently to the Ministerial Meeting of BIMSTEC for consideration. So far, JWG-ECC has held two meetings, one in 2022 and another in 2023.

Plan of Action

The 5th BIMSTEC Summit held in March 2022, instructed to develop Plans of Action in consultation with the respective Lead Country of the reconstituted sectors and sub-sectors to guide their activities.

The BIMSTEC Joint Working Group on Environment and Climate Change finalized the Plan of Action on Environment and Climate Change in its 2nd Meeting. The Plan of Action comprises three Priority areas: (i) Biodiversity, (ii) Waste Management and (iii) Climate Change. 

Policy, Law and Regulation 

Bangladesh:

1)    National Environment Policy 2018
2)    Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (Latest amended 2010)
3)    Bangladesh Biological Diversity Act, 2017
4)    Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Act, 2010
5)    Environment Conservation Rules, 2023 
6)    NDC Implementation Road Map, 2018
7)    Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP) 2022-2041
8)    Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund, 2010
9)    Nationally Determined Contributions (updated), 2021

Bhutan: 

1)    National Environment Protection Act (NEPA), 2007
2)    Waste Prevention and Management Act of Bhutan, 2009
3)    Environment Assessment Act, 2000
4)    The Water Act of Bhutan, 2011
5)    Water Regulation of Bhutan, 2014
6)    Climate Change Policy of the Kingdom of Bhutan 2020: A prosperous, resilient, and carbon-neutral Bhutan where the pursuit of Gross National Happiness for the present and future generations is secure under a changing climate.
7)    Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan 2023
8)    Carbon Market Rules for the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2023

India:

1)    National Environment Policy, 2006
2)    Indian Forest Act, 1927 
3)    Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 
4)    Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
5)    Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 
6)    Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
7)    Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996
8)    Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 
9)    Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023

Myanmar: 

1)    National Environmental Policy of Myanmar, 2019
2)    Myanmar Climate Change Policy, Strategy & Master Plan (2018-2030)
3)    Myanmar Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (2016-2030)
4)    National Sustainable Development Strategy for Myanmar, 2009
5)    Environmental Conservation Rules, 2014
6)    Conservation of Biodiversity and Protected Areas Law, 2018
7)    Conservation of Biodiversity and Protected Areas Rules, 2018
8)    Community Forestry Instructions, 2019

Nepal:

1)    Long Term Strategy for Net Zero Emission 2021
2)    National Framework for Loss and Damage, 2021
3)    National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2021
4)    GESI and Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, 2020
5)    Second NDC, 2020
6)    National Framework of Local Adaptation Plan of Action, 2019
7)    National Climate Change Policy, 2019

Sri Lanka: 

1)    National Environment Policy, 2022
2)    National Policy on Climate Change, 2023
3)    National Framework on Eco labelling in Sri Lanka
4)    National Policy on Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Sri Lanka, 2022
5)    National Policy on Access to Biological Resources and Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits
6)    National Policy on Waste Management, 2020
7)    National Policy on Traditional Knowledge and Practices related to Biodiversity, 2020
8)    National Biosafety Policy in accordance with the Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety
9)    National Environment Action plan (NEAP- 2022-2030)

Thailand: 

1)    National Strategy (2018 – 2037)
1)    Master Plans under National Strategy
2)    National Reform Plan
3)    13th National Economic & Social Development Plan (2023-2027)
4)    Climate Change Master Plan (2015 - 2050)
5)    National Adaptation Plan (NAP)
6)    Enhancement and Conservation of National Environment Quality Act, 1992
7)    Hazardous Substances Act, 1992
8)    Draft Climate Change Act, 2024

Forest Area 

Conservation of forests and other lands is one of the priority areas of the BIMSTEC Plan of Action on Environment and Climate Change. BIMSTEC countries collectively host expansive forested areas, contributing significantly to the region’s biodiversity and ecological balance. The forest area covers 1331999.3 sq. km, which is almost 38.31% of total BIMSTEC region.

Over the years, the percentage of forest and arable lands has declined in some of the BIMSTEC countries due to excessive deforestation. The forest area of Bangladesh reduced from 14.8 percent to 14.5 percent in last 20 years. Between 2002 and 2020, Myanmar lost 4 million hectares of forest land, resulting in 2.4 Gt of GHG emissions. Rest of the countries have increased their forest area during the same period, with a sharp increase from 65.5 percent to 71.5 percent in the case of Bhutan.

The 19th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting held virtually on 09 March 2023 also approved the Mountain Economy as a sub-sector under the Environment and Climate Change Sector.

Green House Gas (GHG) Emission

Green House Gas (GHG) emission among BIMSTEC member States is lower compared to the global average per capita emissions of 4.5 tons. In 2023, the global emission was 36.8 billion which is a record highest level of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and industry.  

In the BIMSTEC region, countries except India have emitted less than 1% of global CO2 in 2022. India is the only country among BIMSTEC member States who have emitted more than 3% of global CO2 and has had a rising percentage of emissions in last 20 years. Whereas, Bhutan maintained a constant record of emitting less than 1% for the last two decades. In terms of annual GHG emissions among BIMSTEC member states, India and Thailand are the top emitters, followed by Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. However, India’s emissions are significantly lower compared to China and the United States, which emit 15,684.627 MT and 6,017.443 MT of GHG per year, respectively.
 

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