Environment Minister Md Shahab Uddin has said Bangladesh will need substantial international climate finance, as well as technology transfer and capacity-building support, to implement its National Adaptation Plan (NAP), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP).
Speaking at the “Green Growth Vision” session at Global Green Hub Korea 2023 in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday, the minister said Bangladesh is looking forward to enhancing collaboration in the areas of environment, climate and energy.
He urged the South Korean government, international communities and development partners to consolidate their partnership to ensure environment-friendly green growth and make the world a safer and better place for future generations.
The minister said public funds from multilateral sources have to be prioritized rather than private financing and loans aiming to drive a wider structural shift and foster sustainable transition in climate-vulnerable developing countries like Bangladesh.
The benefits of clean, green and advanced green technologies need to be shared with all the developing countries, the minister said, adding that the development needs of these particularly vulnerable nations must be prioritized.
Dhaka TribuneHe said Bangladesh is pursuing a low-carbon green development path in the context of sustainable development in the country.
"We have installed more than six million solar home systems in off-grid areas ensuring clean electricity for 12% of the population and distributed more than 4.5 million improved cooking stoves in rural areas," he added.
Shahab Uddin said Bangladesh introduced the polluters pay principle (PPP) concept as compensation for environmental pollution.
He said Bangladesh is also trying its best to make the country climate resilient.
"For this, the updated NDCs of Bangladesh has included priority actions on renewable energy and green hydrogen energy, promoting electric vehicles, increasing energy efficiency in industries, promoting energy efficiency in households and commercial buildings, waste to energy and wastewater treatment," he said.
The environment minister said the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan 2022-2041 has set the target of producing up to 40% of the country's energy from renewable sources.
The Strategic Goals of the Perspective Plan include industrialization, adopting a green growth strategy with integrated environment and climate change considerations, he said.
Shahab Uddin added: "Our government has taken numerous steps towards sustainable waste management and introduction of a circular economy for sustainable use of resources.”
Vision 2041 considers the green tax or carbon pricing as a useful policy to not only discourage the use of fossil fuels but also encourage the adoption of green technology and private investment in renewable energy, he said.
