Bangladesh has urged developed countries to provide climate finance through grants rather than loans, warning that debt-based funding could deepen the financial burden on communities already vulnerable to climate change.
Shama Obaed Islam, MP and State Minister for Foreign Affairs, called for closer cooperation between the Government, private sector, civil society and climate experts to strengthen Bangladesh’s position ahead of the forthcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP31.
She was speaking at a national dialogue entitled People-Led Policy: Bangladesh Position at COP31, held at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka on Saturday. The event was organised by a coalition of 33 national and international organisations working on climate change in Bangladesh.
The dialogue brought together policymakers, researchers, campaigners and young people to discuss the country’s climate priorities and recommendations for international negotiations.
Bangladesh seeks action on climate commitments
Ms Islam said that, ten years after the Paris Agreement, countries needed to assess progress in implementing their climate commitments rather than focusing solely on pledges.
She said Bangladesh required adequate international funding to address the effects of climate change, stressing that adaptation and emissions reduction must receive equal attention. Greater transparency in international negotiations was also essential, she added.
The state minister said efforts were under way to improve coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. She also expressed interest in involving young people working on climate issues in the policymaking process.
Jute to feature in Bangladesh’s COP31 campaign
Ms Islam outlined plans to showcase Bangladesh’s environmentally friendly jute products at COP31 through a dedicated Jute Pavilion.
The initiative is intended to promote Bangladeshi products in international markets while creating economic opportunities for rural farmers and others working in the sector.
Mirza Shawkat Ali, director of climate change and international convention at the Department of Environment, said initiatives were under way to reduce industrial emissions.
He stressed that Bangladesh would need credible evidence and clear plans to present its demands effectively during international climate negotiations.
Dr S M Munjurul Hannan Khan, executive director of Nature Conservation Management (NACOM), called for coordinated action on climate finance, the blue economy, waste management and urban heat stress.
Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, who moderated the dialogue, also called for a united effort to secure grant-based climate finance.
She said Bangladesh faced a disproportionate burden from climate change and needed international financial support that would not increase the debt burden on vulnerable communities.
Climate targets carry a multibillion-dollar price tag
Presentations at the dialogue highlighted the scale of funding Bangladesh needs to meet its climate targets.
According to figures presented at the event, Bangladesh’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution, known as NDC 3.0, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20.31 per cent by 2035. This represents a reduction of 84.97 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Implementing the plan between 2026 and 2035 is estimated to cost US$116.18 billion, including US$90.23 billion in international support.
Bangladesh’s National Adaptation Plan for 2023–2050 identifies 113 initiatives requiring an estimated US$230 billion.
Roufa Khanum, of the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), presented figures on global emissions and Bangladesh’s climate risks.
Professor Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, chairman of the Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), highlighted the need for improved waste management and stronger measures to tackle air pollution and industrial emissions.
Mahzabeen Mahfuz of ActionAid Bangladesh discussed the transition to cleaner energy, emphasising the importance of protecting workers during changes to the energy system.
Chowdhury Abrar Zahin and Helena Khatun addressed marine resources and international climate finance.
Young people call for greater role in climate decisions
Young representatives at the dialogue presented demands covering climate finance, education, employment, gender justice and meaningful youth participation in decision-making.
Participants also stressed that climate funding must reach affected communities and that people displaced by climate impacts should have access to resettlement support.
Women, people with disabilities and other marginalised groups must also have meaningful opportunities to influence climate policies, they said.