Civil society organisations, climate-affected communities and experts on Sunday demanded the immediate cancellation of Bangladesh’s Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP), warning that it entrenches long-term dependence on imported fossil fuels and deepens climate, economic and social risks.
The call came at the conclusion of the 3rd Climate Justice Assembly 2025, where nearly 2,000 delegates adopted an eight-point People’s Declaration for Climate Justice, Ecological Protection and Peoples’ Rights.
The two-day assembly, held on December 13–14 at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Dhaka, brought together 1,945 representatives from coastal, haor, char and Barind regions, including fisherfolk, farmers, indigenous peoples, women, youth, professionals and students.
In the declaration, participants said the IEPMP, along with mega industrial initiatives such as the Maheshkhali–Matarbari Development Initiative (MIDI), prioritises coal- and LNG-based power generation despite Bangladesh’s extreme climate vulnerability and growing financial burden from fuel imports.
“These plans are fundamentally misaligned with Bangladesh’s climate realities,” said Sharif Jamil, member secretary of the assembly organising committee and coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh. “
They promote expensive imported coal and LNG, increase capacity payments, and undermine a people-centred renewable energy future.”
The assembly demanded an immediate halt to all new fossil fuel–based power plants, cancellation of the IEPMP and the MIDI master plan, and a time-bound roadmap to phase out existing fossil fuel projects.
Participants also called for an end to capacity payments to idle power plants and the introduction of a “no energy, no payment” policy, arguing that capacity charges are draining public resources while electricity demand remains overstated.
The declaration urged the government to redirect national energy planning towards renewable systems, including solar power with battery storage and smart grids, backed by adequate national budget allocations and international climate finance.
Delegates stressed that climate finance must be delivered as grants, not loans, and framed as reparations for historical emissions by industrialised countries. They called for urgent operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund and increased resources for adaptation in climate-vulnerable countries such as Bangladesh.
The assembly highlighted intensifying climate impacts across the country, including river erosion, salinity intrusion, cyclones, floods, air and water pollution, deforestation and forced displacement. Participants said fossil fuel expansion and unplanned industrialisation are accelerating these impacts while eroding livelihoods and ecosystems.
Strong demands were also raised for the protection of the Sundarbans and other mangrove forests, restoration of polluted rivers, strict action against industrial pollution, and accountability for land grabbing and corruption linked to energy and infrastructure projects.
Harjeet Singh, Strategic Advisor of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said climate justice extends beyond emissions and debt. “It also concerns inequalities within countries and the development models we choose. This is about rejecting destructive pathways rooted in Global North models and placing people and nature at the centre of action,” he said.
Co-convenor of the Climate Justice Assembly, M S Siddiquie, said objections raised earlier against projects such as Rampal have proved well-founded. “Young people must be meaningfully involved in decision-making. Bangladesh’s commitment to human rights gives us a basis to pursue international legal avenues and hold polluters accountable,” he said.
The Climate Justice Assembly was organised by Dhoritri Rakkhay Amra (DHORA), with national co-organisers including Brighters, Brotee, CPRD, COAST Foundation, CRESL, Mission Green Bangladesh, OAB Foundation and Waterkeepers Bangladesh. Regional and global partners included APMDD, the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, Fossil Free Japan and LDC Watch.
Organisers said the People’s Declaration will be formally submitted to the government and development partners as a policy alternative to fossil fuel–centric planning, calling for a just, renewable-based energy transition that safeguards people, ecosystems and public finances.