Sustaining Progress

Bhutan’s Human Development Report 2011 “Sustaining Progress: Rising to the Climate Challenge” explores the linkages between climate change and human development in Bhutan. This report argues that progress and sustainability of Bhutan’s human development achievements define the conditions for vulnerability to climate risks. Where high levels of sustained human development have already been achieved in Bhutan, the impacts of climate change will likely be felt less. High levels of human poverty, on the other hand, serve as markers of disadvantage and where climate risks will likely be felt more. As the country as a whole has only recently succeeded in achieving progress on many human development fronts, Bhutan’s gains remain fragile and at risk of reversal.