Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has called on all government agencies to transition to renewable energy within the next two to three years, saying the public sector must set an example for the nation in sustainable consumption and climate responsibility.
“Mitigation is not only about how much we produce — it’s also about how responsibly we consume,” she said, urging ministries and departments to adopt green energy and sustainable practices across all operations.
Rizwana, who also serves as Adviser to the Ministry of Water Resources, made the remarks while inaugurating an international conference titled “Road to COP30: How Can National Interests Be Aligned with Global Climate Goals?” held on Saturday at the BRAC Centre Inn in Dhaka.
The event was organised under the theme “A World Beyond Crisis: Climate Solutions That Work,” according to a press release issued by the Environment Ministry.
Highlighting recent progress in environmental governance, Rizwana said the Department of Environment (DoE)—with support from the World Bank—is building green office complexes in different regions and working with architects and engineers to develop models for eco-friendly, energy-efficient buildings.
She warned that “double counting” of climate finance and weak global governance mechanisms have eroded trust and slowed the delivery of genuine support for climate adaptation in developing nations.
“If emissions from major economies continue to rise, technology transfer alone will not solve the problem,” she cautioned. “Bangladesh must remain proactive in safeguarding its national interests, economic activities, and livelihoods.”
Referring to Bangladesh’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), Rizwana said it represents broad national ownership, with participation from all key ministries and agencies.
She directed the DoE to prepare a comprehensive work plan outlining sector-specific emission reduction strategies for transport, agriculture, and industry, with clear timelines and measurable outcomes.
Speaking about the newly established Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP), Rizwana said four working groups have already been formed and instructed that civil society organisations and academia be included to provide technical guidance and policy advice.
Addressing environmental degradation caused by traditional brick kilns, she urged a shift toward alternative building materials to reduce emissions, protect farmland, and prevent hill cutting. She proposed using dredged river sediment in brick production as a sustainable alternative to fertile topsoil.
On adaptation priorities, the adviser emphasised the importance of coastal afforestation, rainwater harvesting, and low-cost desalination technologies to strengthen resilience in climate-vulnerable coastal regions. She also called on development partners to extend both financial and technological support to help Bangladesh scale up local, community-driven climate solutions.
The opening session was also addressed by Dr. Ainun Nishat, Adviser, Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), BRAC University; Dr. Shah Abdul Saadi, Deputy Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD); Md. Ziaul Haque, Director, Department of Environment; Ulrich Kleppmann, Head of Development Cooperation, German Development Cooperation, Embassy of Germany; Mohammed Sohel, Director, BGMEA; Shirin Sultana Lira, Programme Manager, Embassy of Switzerland; and Mousumi Perven, Senior Climate Change Officer, Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The session was chaired by Khushi Kabir, Member of the CPD Board of Trustees.