As the world grapples with numerous challenges, and Bangladesh itself is in the midst of significant reforms in multiple sectors as it looks to rebuild as a nation, we must always remember that climate change remains the single biggest existential threat to all of humanity this century.
As such, especially with a nation such as ours being among the most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, we are in a race against time to decelerate climate change, which will only happen if we bring about significant changes. Among the most important of those changes is unquestionably the transition to renewable energy sources for power generation.
To that end, while Bangladesh has long committed to the goal of generating 40% of its total energy from renewables by 2041, we cannot agree more with Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, Climate Change, and Water Resources Syeda Rizwana Hasan when she brings up the need for timely and equitable financial and technological support.
Developed nations have and continue to be the primary reason for the climate crisis we find ourselves in; despite Bangladesh’s negligible carbon footprint per capita, it remains a nation that is disproportionately affected by climate change. As such, to expect it to bear the brunt of the effects of climate change while also being able to have the financial and technological capacity to transition to cleaner sources of energy is simply unrealistic.
We hope that the developed world in the Global North not only recognizes their responsibility to the developing world in the Global South, but start putting their money where their mouths have always been. If we are to successfully transition to cleaner energy, we have every right to demand financial and technological support.