Vision Statement

The National Environment Commission shall endeavor to provide critical contributions to a sustained path of enlightened development in keeping with the development philosophy of GNH enunciated by His Majesty the King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. National Environment Commission shall strive to protect the environment in the widest sense of the term for the well-being of all future generations of people and other sentient beings by preserving and managing the natural resources of the Kingdom

Mission Statement

In striving to maintain a sustainable path of enlightened development through preservation of the environmental wealth of the Kingdom, the National Environment Commission shall initiate, introduce and promote appropriate policies, programmes, legislation, institutions, reforms, activities and technologies that will strengthen:

• The mindful consumption of resources, bearing in mind intra-and inter-generational equities;
• The adoption of accounting standards that genuinely reflect environmental services, including the gain or loss inherent in environmental externalities, such as natural resources depletion and pollution; and
• The promotion of environmental and socially responsible technologies and business practices through introduction of tools such as environmental impact assessments.

Mandate

The National Environment Commission is a high level multi-sectoral body. It is  the highest decision making and coordinating body on all the matters relating to the protection, conservation and improvement of the natural environment.

The mandate of the National Environment Commission is to:

• Develop, review and revise environmental policies, plans and programmes
• Formulate, review and revise environment related Laws/Acts and monitor enforcement of the same.
• mainstream environment into the country’s developmental policies, plans and programmes
• Promote environmental awareness amongst all levels of Bhutanese society, including dissemination of environmental policies, strategies, acts, rules, regulations and standards through print, audio visual and other appropriate means.
• Institutionalise the Environmental Assessment (EA) process as an integral part of the development planning process through enforcement of EA Act 2000
• Adopt, review and revise environmental standards for the country
• Monitor ambient air and water quality and land-use changes and inform all sections of the society through print, audio visual and other appropriate means.
• Promote and ensure an efficient system of gathering and sharing environmental information
• Publish State of Environment Reports and report/submit to the Lhengyal Zhungtshog/Parliament once every 5 years and disseminate the findings to the general public.
• Promote and conduct environmental research
• Coordinate and facilitate the implementation of bilateral and multilateral environmental agreements, conventions, treaties or declarations.
• Receive representations on environmental matters from members of the Civil Society
• Develop and facilitate the implementation of the National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS)
• Coordinate and monitor cross-sectoral issues related to water, forestry and mineral resources and waste management in the country. The line ministries/agencies shall be responsible for their Implementation and enforcement functions.