Climate Change and Rural Depopulation in Bhutan

New research from the University of Exeter shows that climate change is acting as a background stressor in Bhutan, accelerating the abandonment of rural homes. While economic goals drive migration, erratic rainfall and crop pests make traditional farming precarious, leading to significant population loss in over 130 regions. Bhutan is currently the world's first carbon-negative country, largely due to its hydropower exports. To combat rural flight, the government is exploring carbon trade, nature-based solutions, and diversifying rural economies to ensure migration is a choice rather than a necessity for survival.