Bangladeshi civil society organizations (CSOs) have raised urgent demands at the ongoing COP29 summit, held at the Baku Olympic Stadium in Azerbaijan.
The groups called for a rapid transition to renewable energy, the phase-out of fossil fuels, revisions to Bangladesh’s current energy master plan, and adequate grant-based climate finance to address the nation’s escalating climate vulnerabilities.
The demonstration was led by a coalition including Waterkeepers Bangladesh, Youth Net for Climate Justice, Friends of the Earth, 350.org, Don’t Gas Asia, and others.
They criticized Bangladesh’s reliance on fossil fuels and “false solutions” in the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP), urging world leaders and the government to take decisive climate actions.
Sharif Jamil, coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh, highlighted the shortcomings in Bangladesh’s energy policies, saying: “The IEPMP includes ammonia co-firing and hydrogen-based solutions, which are not sustainable. We urge the government to focus on renewable energy instead of gas expansion to safeguard our economy, ecology, and people.”
Sohanur Rahman, executive coordinator of Youth Net for Climate Justice, emphasized the need for a people-centric energy plan, saying: “The current IEPMP is not ambitious and contains loopholes like carbon capture and hydrogen technologies, which are barriers to a just energy transition. Bangladesh must revise its energy plan to align with climate and economic goals.”
Amanullah Porag, South Asia mobilizations coordinator at 350.org, criticized Bangladesh’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.
He said: “Gas is creating debt, economic instability, and a climate crisis. Bangladesh’s energy plan, heavily backed by Japan, locks us into expensive fossil fuels and false solutions under the guise of advanced technologies. A direct shift to renewable energy is essential.”
The CSOs also called for grant-based climate finance to help Bangladesh avoid debt traps while addressing the impacts of the climate crisis.
They urged COP29 leaders to prioritize real solutions to mitigate climate vulnerabilities in developing nations like Bangladesh.
The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP29, is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22.
The conference brings together global leaders, activists, and experts to address the ongoing climate crisis and forge actionable solutions for a sustainable future.
