The National Environment Commission is an independent authority and high-level autonomous decision making body on all matters relating to the environment and its management in Bhutan. The high-level commission consist of Honorable Prime Minister as Chair, four highest ranking officers representing relevant ministries, three representatives of civil society/eminent persons and Head of the Secretari
at as Member Secretary. The Commission also monitors the impact of development on the environment and aims to put in place the necessary controls, regulations and incentives to the private/public sectors to achieve sustainable development through the judicious use of natural resources. The coordination of inter-sectoral programmes, the implementation of policies and legislation with regard to the environment is also another important mandate of the Commission. The NEC is also national focal agency for various multilateral environmental agreements on climate change, biodiversity, protection of the ozone layer, trans-boundary air pollution and trans-boundary movement of hazardous wastes. The NEC Secretariat plays a key role in promoting sound environmental policies and investments. This Secretariat is responsible for ensuring that Bhutan follows a sustainable development path and that all projects be it public or private, take into consideration environmental aspects. The mandates, functions and powers of the NEC and its Secretariat are defined in the National Environment Protection Act of Bhutan 2007, Environmental Assessment Act 2000, Waste Prevention and Management Act of Bhutan 2009, Water Act of Bhutan 2011.
