What’s Next for Climate Justice in Bhutan?
On May 24, 2025, the Bhutan Front of the World’s Youth for Climate Justice (WYCJ) hosted a pivotal workshop titled “What’s Next for Climate Justice: Youth Voices and Action in Bhutan.” In anticipation of the historic Advisory Opinion (AO) from International Court of Justice (ICJ) on climate change and human rights, the Bhutan Front strategised plans to localise the campaign in Phase 3.
For the workshop, some members gathered at JSW School of Law while some joined online to discuss concrete actions for Phase 3 of the campaign. Ideas ranged from child-friendly educational materials to rural advocacy programs. Some discussions from the workshop reflect the creativity and commitment of the Front to make climate justice both inclusive and impactful. One key initiative is the development of illustrated storybooks that communicate the complex issues of climate justice in a simple, engaging, and age-appropriate manner, ensuring that even young children can understand and connect with the movement. Another major focus is outreach to universities and schools, aimed at expanding WYCJ’s presence across Bhutan’s educational institutions and inspiring more students to take a stand for climate justice.
Members also discussed the importance of inclusive advocacy, particularly by creating content that is accessible to Persons with Disabilities, thereby ensuring that climate justice messaging reaches every member of society. To further enhance engagement, the team proposed a range of creative content initiatives, including short documentaries, visually rich infographics, and interactive activities like essay writing and debate competitions to raise awareness in schools and colleges. They also discussed organizing plogging and clean-up drives, blending environmental action with public participation to foster a sense of community and shared responsibility.
A proposal to host cross-sectoral workshops with government ministries, civil society organizations, and other agencies highlights the strategic intent of integrating youth perspectives into national-level climate policy discussions. These workshops would help bridge gaps between grassroots activism and formal decision-making, ensuring that youth-led advocacy aligns with broader environmental governance in Bhutan.
The group also began creating an annual action calendar, syncing the Front’s activities with global environmental days like Earth Day and World Water Day, an effort to amplify visibility and impact throughout the year.
One of the final milestones of the day was drafting a national concept note to guide WYCJ Bhutan’s future endeavors. Jigme Choden, the co-lead of the Proposal Writing Team of WYCJ, took the lead in finalizing this critical document, which will serve as a roadmap for upcoming projects and partnerships.
The workshop was a bold declaration that Bhutanese youth are ready to lead on climate justice. Rooted in global solidarity and driven by local passion, WYCJ Bhutan is transforming ideas into action through inclusive advocacy, strategic partnerships, and creative outreach. As the world awaits the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion, Bhutan’s youth are already looking ahead, equipped with a clear vision and collective determination. Their work is a reminder that meaningful change begins when young voices are heard, empowered, and mobilized. The path forward is clear: act locally, connect globally, and ensure that climate justice includes everyone, today and for generations to come.