Gross National Happiness as a Framework for Sustainable Global Change

The chapter explores how Bhutan has translated Gross National Happiness from a national philosophy into a practical framework for public policy and development. Rather than treating economic growth as the sole measure of progress, GNH brings together social wellbeing, environmental protection, cultural continuity, good governance, and sustainable economic development. The chapter considers how this holistic approach can contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and offers Bhutan as an example of how development can be guided by a broader understanding of collective wellbeing.

It also examines how GNH principles are translated into practice, including through the GNH Index and Bhutan’s education reforms. The Green School concept is presented as a case study showing how values associated with wellbeing, sustainability, culture, responsibility, and holistic development can be embedded within institutions and everyday practice. Through the Bhutanese experience, the chapter argues that Gross National Happiness offers not a model to be copied mechanically, but a powerful source of ideas for societies seeking more balanced, sustainable, and human-centred approaches to development.