Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has urged the government to allocate Tk1,000 crore, in the upcoming fiscal year 2019-20 budget, to combat climate change impact.
The rights and anti-corruption watchdog also demanded transparency, accountability, and proper utilization of the fund for fighting climate change related issues.
Bangladesh has received praise from the global as well as domestic community for its timely, and multifaceted steps to combat impacts of climate change, said a statement issued by TIB on Saturday.
The statement also said, Bangladesh has formed Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund, and has been allocating funds to it from the budget since 2009-10.
“Since the formation of Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund, the government allocated Tk700 crore per year during the first three years,” said Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
He said: "However, the budget allocation did not increase in line with the rise of climate change related risks, it rather decreased gradually.
"The decline in the amount of fund allocation against the increased risk of climate change was a great concern."
"In meeting deficit of funds to mitigate the risk of climate change impacts, we are urging the government to allocate Tk1000 crore for the fund in the next budget," he added.
In addition, Iftekharuzzaman also demanded proper steps, and guidelines to ensure accountability, and transparency in the spending of the allocated funds.
