Despite Bangladesh making significant progress in its industrial development towards a and currently aspiring to transition into a fully export oriented economy, the nation is struggling to limit its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission levels, experts said at a discussion on Thursday.
They revealed this during a national-level policy dialogue titled “Bangladesh's NDC Goal and Energy Sustainability” initiated by Oxfam in partnership with the European Climate Foundation (ECF.)
The experts also said that for last year, Bangladesh's GHG emission level increased by 4.5%, mostly coming from the industrial sector, although the country is still contributing a minimal amount to global emissions.
Moreover, the increasing trend of GHG emissions in Bangladesh is steady and opposite to its position in climate mitigation.
However, the current energy crisis is becoming a severe challenge for limiting nations in targeting fossil fuel-based energy options as many least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS) are struggling to meet their energy demand for food production and basic services.
Therefore, it is high time to take the issues into concern and find a tangible solution for technology transfer in ensuring a ‘Just Energy Transition' worldwide.
State Minister to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, who participated as the chief guest, said: “Although we pollute less and are committed to moving towards renewable energies, we have high hopes that developing country parties and donors will come forward with adequate unconditional finance and technological support.”
Developed countries should understand that there are limitations for countries such as Bangladesh where support is needed for the immense tasks the LDCs have voluntarily shouldered, he added.
The minister also put emphasis on advocacy with fashion brands to provide necessary financial and policy support to the industry partners who are working in Bangladesh to make this transition smooth and visible in Bangladesh.
"A lot of things are involved with the ongoing power crisis, regardless of which we will have to make sure to provide electricity and gas to people," Nasrul Hamid also said.
"A master plan considering issues like financial, plant management, energy supply and global price hikes is on our top agenda. Nonetheless, we are hopeful that the situation will improve next month,” Hamid added.
Power Division secretary Md Habibur Rahman and Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Farhina Ahmed also participated as special guests.
Experts also pointed out that Bangladesh is a country that has shown very promising progress in economic growth over the past decade where the industrial sector, particularly the readymade garment (RMG) sector, is the biggest contributor with almost 14.07% of the GDP and 81% of the total export earnings.
However, industries such as that of RMG are the biggest consumer of dirty energy-based power in Bangladesh and there is no effective action plan to reduce their dependence on the national grid (which is 97% dirty energy) or for energy sustainability, despite Bangladesh agreeing to reduce GHGs emissions in the industry by 30% within 2030.
“It is unlikely that existing mitigation measures will be sufficient to prevent climate change impact unless a collective and just effort is taken where renewable energy could be a key factor towards sustainable green growth,” said Farhina Ahmed.
General Manager and Head of Sustainability & Compliance Anwarul Islam, Director, Sustainable Financing Department, Bangladesh Bank Rajib Ali, Director at Impress-Newtex Composite Textiles Nafis Ud Doula participated as speakers along with different Fashion Industries, relevant government offices, RMG owners and professional networks, academia, CSO's and development partners.