Bhutan has been announced as a 2026 Finalist of The Earthshot Prize under the Protect and Restore Nature category, recognising the country’s longstanding commitment to environmental conservation and its efforts to strengthen the restoration and resilience of its forests and landscapes.
Founded by Prince William in 2020, The Earthshot Prize is a global environmental award that recognises and supports innovative solutions addressing some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. The Prize focuses on five Earthshots: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Fix Our Climate.
Bhutan maintains nearly 70% forest cover, exceeding the constitutional requirement of at least 60%, while more than half of the country is protected through its network of protected areas. Bhutan’s forests and watersheds also play a critical role in safeguarding freshwater systems supporting approximately 1.6 billion people across South Asia, while contributing to biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration and climate resilience.
The recognition also highlights Restore Bhutan, a national landscape restoration initiative launched by the Royal Government of Bhutan in 2025. The initiative aims to restore 50,000 hectares of degraded forests, agricultural lands and urban landscapes by 2030, through ecological restoration, sustainable land management, community stewardship, long-term monitoring and innovative financing.
The Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS) is among the key government agencies contributing to the implementation of Restore Bhutan, working with local governments, institutions, conservation organisations and communities towards coordinated, landscape-scale restoration.
Bhutan’s selection as an Earthshot Prize Finalist reflects its enduring conservation legacy and provides an opportunity to further strengthen partnerships and share Bhutan’s experience in protecting and restoring forests, biodiversity and critical ecosystems.
The five winners of The Earthshot Prize 2026 will be announced at the Awards Night in Mumbai, India, in November 2026.
