In a recent series of roundtable discussions, experts gathered to shed light on Bangladesh's efforts to tackle climate change and promote a “Just Transition".
Just Transitions foreground the importance of managing the distributive costs and benefits of transitioning to a low-carbon and resilient society through a participatory process.
The launch of a report titled "The Case for Just Transitions in the Energy, Agricultural, and Ready-Made Garments Sectors in Bangladesh '' was recently arranged by ULAB in partnership with Dhaka Tribune at a local hotel and drew attention to the urgent need for collaborative action. The report was prepared by ULAB with assistance from Climate Strategies and JT South-to-South.
Bangladesh, a nation vulnerable to climate change impacts despite its low global carbon emissions, is at the forefront of the battle. Key sectors like energy, agriculture, and the ready-made garments industry are at risk, prompting stakeholders to come together for solutions.
The report highlighted the lack of a central body to coordinate just transitions across sectors.
Dr Shamsad Mortuza, special adviser to the ULAB Board of Trustees, was the project lead while Dr Minhaz Uddin Ahmed co-authored the report. The document urged a unified approach to safeguard the environment while fostering economic growth.
In his inaugural address, ULAB Vice Chancellor Professor Imran Rahman emphasized the confluence of research and policy, indicating the transformative potential of the insights harnessed from academia. He affirmed that this junction of knowledge and action holds the key to unlocking a sustainable trajectory for Bangladesh.
Saber Hossain Chowdhury, special envoy to the Prime Minister for climate change, lauded the report's multifaceted approach and championed the integration of research into policy formulation.
He underscored the dynamic transformation underway in Bangladesh's journey towards becoming a 'smart' nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In the course of this transformation, knowledge and innovation are held up as the pivotal levers that can drive inclusive growth and safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change.
He also critiqued Just Transition by pointing out the injustice embedded in it, as the Global North expects countries like Bangladesh to commit more to climate financing even though they are not the main emitters.
Prof Joyashree Roy, Bangabandhu chair at the Asian Institute of Technology and IPCC author, said:“A carefully managed just transition in the Global South can lead to a net gain in decent jobs, energy access, environmental improvements, contribute to reductions in social inequities and poverty eradication.”
Sultana Afroz, former secretary to the government (PPP) highlighted how JT can contribute to the country's desired knowledge economy through skilling and upsilling programmes, innovation and ideation.
Energy Sector's Just Transition
Dhaka Tribune Editor Zafar Sobhan, who moderated the session, 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.
Dr M Rezwan Khan, director of the Institute for Advanced Research at UIU, said wind and solar power represent potent avenues for sustainable energy generation. Highlighting the underutilization of wind power in the nation, Dr Khan advocated for an expanded integration of solar energy, which, during the winter, could be harnessed from agricultural lands without jeopardizing crops.
Prof Mofazzal Hossain steered the discussion towards a more inclusive energy transition and emphasized the imperative of local battery production and recycling, especially in light of the burgeoning electric vehicle landscape.
Addressing the impending shift in the employment landscape, Md Mozibul Hoque, head of Supply Chain at Solidaridad, said the advent of electric vehicles necessitates a parallel development of charging infrastructure and a corresponding enhancement of skills in the electrical sector.
Dr M Shamsul Alam, senior vice president of CAB and dean of FE at DIU, raised a critical point about prudent utilization of government investments, suggesting that clear accountability and efficient resource allocation are pivotal to ensuring sustainable development in the energy sector.
Sheikh Monwar Ahmed, head of Business at Rahimafrooz Solar, also addressed the session.
Agriculture Sector's Transition Challenges
Reaz Ahmed, Executive Editor of Dhaka Tribune, underscored the agriculture sector's ongoing transformation and the attendant challenges.
Prof Nasrin Akter from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University lauded the report's insights, shedding light on the cascading effects of climate change on seed production due to drought, salinity, and temperature fluctuations. She championed the report's prescription for a just transition as a viable blueprint to combat these challenges.
Prof Jahangir Alam from Bangladesh Agriculture University spotlighted the nation's remarkable strides in attaining self-sufficiency in poultry and egg production, as well as year-round fruit and vegetable cultivation, heralding a significant transformation within the agricultural sphere.
Shamiran Biswas, Lead Agriculturist and Product Coordinator of 'Dr. Chashi,' introduced the eponymous mobile app designed to empower farmers with crucial information and insights via Android devices.
Kamuzzaman Sagor of BARCIK highlighted the sector's vulnerability to corporate influence and underscored the need for nurturing local agriculture through the promotion of superior varieties, painting a compelling vision of a just transition for the sector.
RMG Sector's Journey Towards Sustainability
Advocate Seema Chowdhury delved into the challenges and opportunities presented by the ready-made garments (RMG) sector in Bangladesh.
Shehrin Salam Oishee, dean of the Faculty of Textile Chemical Engineering and director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), highlighted the crucial role of recycling in diminishing the sector's ecological footprint. She underscored that the present reliance on nature—accounting for 60% of resources—necessitates a paradigm shift towards enhanced recycling and renewable energy adoption.
Prof Mohammad Faisal Chowdhury, director of BBA at ULAB University, said the RMG sector's transformation hinges on reshaping business practices, aligning objectives with ecological sustainability, and orchestrating policy changes that embrace a greener trajectory.
Dr Ummul Khair Fatema from BUTEX provided insights into innovative strategies, including cost-effective ETP production and environmentally conscious factory management techniques.
The concluding session included an open forum where student leaders and activists from Youth Policy Forum took part, including Dr Mohammad Mainul Islam from the University of Dhaka, Dr. Rumana Sultana from Independent University Bangladesh, Dr Haseeb Irfanullah and Asif Uddin Ahmed from the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB). These thought leaders collectively underscored the necessity for united efforts and visionary actions to effect a just transition across Bangladesh's multifaceted landscape.
