Renewable energy: Cooperation at local, national levels needed for sustainable development
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Tribune Desk
Publish : 03 Nov 2021, 07:53 PMUpdate : 03 Nov 2021, 07:53 PM
Although Bangladesh is one of the least polluting countries in the world, cooperation on renewable energy at local as well as national levels is necessary for ensuring sustainable development, the Bangladesh chapter of the Climate Parliament has said.
The government is already taking initiatives towards renewables, Climate Parliament Bangladesh notes in its recent report, adding that it is, nonetheless, trying to promote clean energy with a focus on policies and measures related to renewable energy.
Adopting a grassroots approach and youth engagement at the community level are also required to tackle climate change, according to Climate Parliament Bangladesh, a group of lawmakers who seek to play a critical role in tackling the climate crisis.
Training programs, seminars or workshops should be held at the local level to continuously develop and enhance the capacity of people affected by climate change, the report added.
Collaboration between local government bodies and the private sector is important to improve their condition, the group says in its report, before entreating the country’s private sector to invest in renewable energy.
After witnessing first-hand a litany of problems, such as salinity intrusion and river erosion, faced by people in the southern and northern parts of the country during its recent visits, Climate Parliament Bangladesh in its report said being unable to tackle these issues, many migrate to other places, choking the already overpopulated cities.
The organization hopes to address, and possibly solve, local climate issues through its efforts.
“Our geographic location makes us vulnerable, yet we are becoming the role model for other [climate] vulnerable countries… we want to show the world that being a vulnerable country will not affect our strength to fight back [against climate change],” Climate Parliament Bangladesh said.
Recommendations
In light of its recent visits to several affected areas, the climate body has put forward a good number of recommendations. Some of them are as follows:
Promoting alternative livelihoods for vulnerable people
Providing them with knowledge about adaptation and mitigation measures
Formation of a joint task force to monitor the disbursement of the government’s climate budget and related projects
Harvesting rainwater in areas affected by salinity
Creating embankments that are high and wide enough to survive natural disasters
Promoting climate-resilient agriculture
Developing solar irrigation systems for farmers in char areas
Ensuring renewable energy targets and global climate agreements are well-reflected in sectoral policies
Encouraging innovations in renewable energy
Ensuring national level support in promoting renewable energy
Using space on embankments for installation of solar panels and wind turbines to produce electricity for off-grid areas nearby as well as the national grid
Embarking on solar and wind power as much as possible
Promoting renewables in the next Power System Master Plan and relying less on fossil fuels
Encouraging use of biomass energy in rural areas
Ensuring participation of youth in the decision-making process
Giving men and women equal access to discussing climate action, climate finance, etc
Reforming the healthcare system for vulnerable people
Renewable energy: Cooperation at local, national levels needed for sustainable development
Although Bangladesh is one of the least polluting countries in the world, cooperation on renewable energy at local as well as national levels is necessary for ensuring sustainable development, the Bangladesh chapter of the Climate Parliament has said.
The government is already taking initiatives towards renewables, Climate Parliament Bangladesh notes in its recent report, adding that it is, nonetheless, trying to promote clean energy with a focus on policies and measures related to renewable energy.
Adopting a grassroots approach and youth engagement at the community level are also required to tackle climate change, according to Climate Parliament Bangladesh, a group of lawmakers who seek to play a critical role in tackling the climate crisis.
Training programs, seminars or workshops should be held at the local level to continuously develop and enhance the capacity of people affected by climate change, the report added.
Collaboration between local government bodies and the private sector is important to improve their condition, the group says in its report, before entreating the country’s private sector to invest in renewable energy.
After witnessing first-hand a litany of problems, such as salinity intrusion and river erosion, faced by people in the southern and northern parts of the country during its recent visits, Climate Parliament Bangladesh in its report said being unable to tackle these issues, many migrate to other places, choking the already overpopulated cities.
The organization hopes to address, and possibly solve, local climate issues through its efforts.
“Our geographic location makes us vulnerable, yet we are becoming the role model for other [climate] vulnerable countries… we want to show the world that being a vulnerable country will not affect our strength to fight back [against climate change],” Climate Parliament Bangladesh said.
Recommendations
In light of its recent visits to several affected areas, the climate body has put forward a good number of recommendations. Some of them are as follows:
Promoting alternative livelihoods for vulnerable people
Providing them with knowledge about adaptation and mitigation measures
Formation of a joint task force to monitor the disbursement of the government’s climate budget and related projects
Harvesting rainwater in areas affected by salinity
Creating embankments that are high and wide enough to survive natural disasters
Promoting climate-resilient agriculture
Developing solar irrigation systems for farmers in char areas
Ensuring renewable energy targets and global climate agreements are well-reflected in sectoral policies
Encouraging innovations in renewable energy
Ensuring national level support in promoting renewable energy
Using space on embankments for installation of solar panels and wind turbines to produce electricity for off-grid areas nearby as well as the national grid
Embarking on solar and wind power as much as possible
Promoting renewables in the next Power System Master Plan and relying less on fossil fuels
Encouraging use of biomass energy in rural areas
Ensuring participation of youth in the decision-making process
Giving men and women equal access to discussing climate action, climate finance, etc
Reforming the healthcare system for vulnerable people