The government has proposed a wide range of environmental and climate-focused measures in the FY2026–27 national budget, prioritizing afforestation, pollution control, renewable energy expansion and climate resilience, but experts say implementation gaps remain a key concern in achieving the intended outcomes.
The environment and climate agenda has been placed among the government’s key strategic priorities, signaling a stronger policy push toward sustainability and low-carbon development.
The Climate Change Trust Fund has been allocated Tk1,000 crore to support adaptation, mitigation and environmental protection projects. While the allocation is intended to strengthen climate resilience and pollution-control efforts, analysts say it remains modest compared to Bangladesh’s growing climate-related challenges.
The budget sets a target of planting 2.5 billion trees nationwide, which the government estimates could generate around 350,000 green jobs. Forestry experts say large-scale plantation drives are important, but stress that long-term survival rates and effective monitoring will determine their real environmental impact.
Under a five-year roadmap based on the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3R) framework, the government aims to cut plastic waste by 30%. Environmental campaigners, however, caution that the target may be difficult to achieve without stronger enforcement of single-use plastic restrictions and improved waste management systems.
To address air pollution, the government plans to expand monitoring capacity with 31 stations, including 15 Continuous Air Monitoring Stations (CAMS) and 16 compact CAMS units. Experts say expanded monitoring must be matched with stronger regulatory action to curb emissions in urban areas.
The budget also proposes introducing electric bus services and establishing modern vehicle inspection centers to reduce transport-related emissions. Urban planners say the initiative could improve air quality if supported by adequate infrastructure and grid readiness.
Tax exemptions and duty reductions have been proposed for solar panels, inverters, lithium-ion batteries and other renewable energy technologies. The tax-free benefit for solar power generation has also been extended until 2035. Energy analysts say the measures could encourage private-sector investment in clean energy and help reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The government has also pledged new projects for the restoration and protection of rivers, wetlands and other water bodies to strengthen ecological balance and climate resilience. Environmental activists, however, say enforcement against encroachment will be critical for meaningful progress.
Commenting on the budget, Raufa Khanum, Assistant Director at the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), said that while the commitments are positive, implementation remains the key challenge.
“Strong budgetary commitments are encouraging, but without strict enforcement and community-level implementation, environmental targets risk remaining largely aspirational,” she said.