Episode #24: Climate Leaders 101: Sonam Phuntsho Wangdi’s Quest to Modernize Bhutan’s Environmental Legacy

RAIA(ffairs)

In this episode, we sat down with Maria de la Paz Gonzalez and Sophia Rathleff to delve into the groundbreaking work of Sonam Phuntsho Wangdi, Bhutan's Secretary of the National Environment Commission, as he spearheads efforts to keep Bhutan carbon-neutral and globally recognized for its environmental strategies. We explore Wangdi's rapid rise in climate policy, his efforts to balance economic growth with sustainability, and his drive to increase international climate responsibility.

This episode is the first in a series of six as part of the IExRAIA Summer Research Program of 2024. RAIA has invited twelve IE University students to join our think tank and spend 9 weeks researching a figure from around the world to try to answer a simple question: Are they a climate leader?

Don't forget to read Maria and Sophia's article (https://raiagroup.org/wangdis-efforts-to-modernise-bhutans-environment) and report (https://raiagroup.org/ie-university-x-raia-research-program-2024).