The COP21 talks which began on Monday are the most important multilateral opportunity for the world to unite in responding to climate change.
In opening the fortnight-long conference, the UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon has rightly hailed COP21 as a political moment that “may not come again.”
His remarks point to the gravity of the climate crisis facing the world.
For Bangladesh, like other low-lying nations, climate change and the sea level rises it threatens, is the most important challenge we face for our future.
Unless firm measures are agreed on soon, even the watered down Copenhagen target of taming greenhouse emissions so global average temperatures rise no more than 2 degrees Celsius, may become impossible to implement and attain.
Without a worldwide approach to taxing carbon emissions so large emitting companies and countries are incentivised to make the changes and investments needed, the best available scenarios will look increasingly grim for rich and poor countries alike.
We believe it is very important for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to attend this conference in order to bolster the important arguments being put forward by Bangladesh’s official delegation and civil society attendees.
Although it is perfectly understandable why following the terrorist attacks in Paris, she canceled her plan to attend the Leaders Summit, there is still time for her to go in person to COP21 to make her presence felt.
Sheikh Hasina has gained invaluable attention for the global importance of fighting climate change at previous summits, by articulating the compelling case for richer, more industrialised countries to reduce carbon emissions, and to support states like Bangladesh in adapting to climate change.
Through its strong influence in the group of 43 most climate vulnerable nations calling for tougher targets, and by pressing moral arguments for grants, not loans, Bangladesh plays a vital role in presenting the case for the countries which need action the most.
We believe it is vital that the prime minister should make arrangements to attend to provide an important fillip to the arguments being put forward by climate vulnerable nations.
As many sessions still remain over the next 10 days to discuss important details of finance and investment, we believe her presence will be much called for and widely appreciated.