Back in 2015, 196 countries committed to create their own Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to keep the global temperature rise around 1.5 degrees by 2030. Bangladesh also has a NDC.
Bangladesh last updated their NDC back in 2021 and is due to submit their 3rd round of NDC in 2025.
The Paris Agreement clearly outlined the importance of civil society and major stakeholder groups' engagement in creating and implementing the country's NDCs.
Unfortunately, there had been no civil society assessment of this national document Bangladesh over the past 9 years.
But it is safe to say that the scenario is changing.
Youth4NDCs a youth-led multi stakeholder platform just published THE NDC (YOU)TH Review, a comprehensive, and in-depth review of Bangladesh’s current NDC through the youth lens.
This review is the culmination of months of dedicated work by young policy enthusiasts.
In the document youth voices across the country shorted out gaps and challenges in implementation and tracking process of NDCs.
It also contains policy recommendations by the youth.
The review focuses on 4 critical aspects of an NDC, which are adaptation, mitigation, finance and youth engagement.
The review shared critical findings from Bangladesh’s NDC such as not having children & youth mentioned for even once in the NDC, not having adequate financial strategies to implement the plans etc.
The review also provides policy recommendations to solve the gaps and challenges of the existing NDC and strategies to ensure meaningful youth engagement in the NDC processes.
Amanullah Porag, lead author of the review and ED of Youth4NDCs said: “We have often been told that we don’t understand policy, we don’t have the in-depth knowledge on policies to make policy recommendations. THE NDC (YOU)TH will prove these claims wrong. Young people of Bangladesh can play a crucial role in policy-shaping, this review can play a crucial role in making our next round of NDC people-oriented, youth-oriented, and inclusive.”
Sharif Jamil, member of the board of directors at Waterkeeper Alliance said: “The NDC Youth Review is a crucial starting point to keep the policies and national documents in check. Our national climate and environmental policies are not pro-people, common people don't feel connected with the policies. The insights of this youth review can bridge the gap between people and policies. The youth are doing good work, and this review shows just that.”