The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) on Monday launched a new report titled “The Case for Just Transitions in the Energy, Agricultural, and Ready-Made Garments Sectors in Bangladesh.”
The report was prepared with assistance from Climate Strategies and JT South-to-South.
Alongside the report's launch, a roundtable discussion was arranged in partnership with Dhaka Tribune.
ULAB Vice Chancellor Prof Imran Rahman gave the opening speech at the event, while Special Adviser to the ULAB Board of Trustees Dr Shamsad Mortuza presented the report as the project lead.
Member of Parliament and Special Envoy to the Honorable Prime Minister for Climate Change Saber Hossain Chowdhury was present at the event as the chief guest.
The roundtable held at the Six Seasons Hotel in the capital’s Gulshan-2 was divided into three sessions—Just Transition in the Energy Sector, Just Transition in the Agriculture Sector, and Just Transition in the RMG Sector.
Bangladesh is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. 'Just transition' planning is therefore essential to minimizing adverse impacts of climate change, particularly on vulnerable people,the report reads.
These transitions to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy, while necessary, could negatively impact certain vulnerable individuals and communities whose livelihoods may be affected by changing practices.
The report further mentions that the key sectors of Bangladesh for just transitions (JT) are Energy, Agriculture, Readymade Garment (RMG), Education and Finance.
The percentage of the population with access to electricity increased from 32% in 2000 to 92.6% in 2020. Fossil fuels have supported growth in the energy sector, but the government has pledged to shift to renewable sources. This created an opportunity to develop skilled workers and create new jobs. However, enacting a just transition in this sector will require Bangladesh to secure significant investment, increase institutional capacity, and fill key data gaps.
In agriculture sector is highly vulnerable to climate change. Over 48% of Bangladesh's workforce is directly dependent on agriculture. Policies that increase resilience in this sector are essential, but may affect vulnerable communities if they are not carefully planned, particularly for landless farmers, the report added.
A challenge and opportunity for just transitions in this sector will be to engage women who play a key role in cultivation but may be restricted from land ownership and fair compensation.
The RMG sector contributes to 12% of Bangladesh's GDP and employs four million people. This sector causes environmental damage and has been known to perpetuate poor working conditions. A just transition in this sector could accelerate shifts to safer and more sustainable work for millions of people by improving social security, engaging green technologies, and improving coordination across ministries.
On the other hand, education and finance also play an important, cross-cutting role in Bangladesh's just transition. Education provides an opportunity for youth to develop the skills needed for green careers and enhance equality through educational accessibility. Financing at both the national level (through state banks and international investment) and the household level (through microcredit and insurance schemes) is essential to implementing an effective and just transition in Bangladesh.
Speaking as the chief guest, Saber Hossain Chowdhury said that excellent research is being conducted in the country but lacks the necessary follow-up.
“Why don’t we make our policies more informative by relying on excellent pieces of research? This report will be very beneficial if it goes beyond the academic sphere,” he said.
Indian economist Jayashree Roy, who was present on the occasion, stressed the need to find a new direction for the energy sector, mentioning that focusing on renewable sources alone is not enough.
Dhaka Tribune Editor Zafar Sobhan said: "Bangladesh is on the front line of climate change. With the possible exception of the Maldives and other island nations, no other country may be as vulnerable to climate change as we are.”
He added that there is a pressing need to plan carefully as the world is on the cusp of transformation, and there are a number of things that worked for Bangladesh in the past that will not work in the future.
President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Faruk Hossain, and Secretary to the Government of Bangladesh, and Public Private Partnership Authority CEO Sultana Afroz also addressed the roundtable, among others.
