Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the optimal use of the climate budget on Wednesday.
Speaking at a seminar titled “Global Climate Negotiation Challenges and Priorities for Bangladesh,” organized by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in the capital, she outlined key climate governance issues and Bangladesh’s priorities.
Hasan noted that the guidelines for allocating the Climate Change Trust Fund have been updated, with a more cautious approach to fund distribution.
She stressed that international climate funds must be used effectively to produce meaningful outcomes and highlighted ongoing efforts to identify priority sectors for climate investments.
However, she warned that global environmental damage cannot be mitigated without a significant reduction in carbon emissions, regardless of increased spending.
The Adviser also pointed out that various initiatives are being launched to address Bangladesh’s environmental challenges.
She emphasized the need to rethink development strategies, citing the example of how filling rivers and canals hampers adaptation efforts.
She called for a shift away from a consumerist lifestyle and announced the formation of a task force to tackle air pollution, which will begin its activities soon. Measures against polluters and efforts to reduce the use of single-use plastics are also underway.
Hasan called for a focus on enhancing resilience, securing sufficient adaptation funding, and ensuring transparency in fulfilling global climate commitments.
She also urged for equitable negotiations at international forums to amplify the voices of vulnerable communities and ensure that developed nations meet their financial and technological obligations.
The seminar featured key insights from Ambassador AFM Gousal Azam Sarker, Chairman of BIISS, and Major General Iftekhar Anis, Director General of BIISS. Presentations included: “Geopolitics of Climate Negotiation: Progress or Paradox on the Road to Climate Action” by Senior Research Fellow of BIISS Dr. Sufia Khanom; “Outcome of Global Climate Finance Negotiation: Quantity, Quality, Opportunities, and Challenges” by Deputy Managing Director of PKSF Dr. Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed; “Climate Negotiations for Bangladesh – Mind the Gap” by Jahangirnagar University Professor Sharmind Neelormi and “Current State of Loss and Damage Global Governance: Negotiations and Diplomacy” by Executive Committee Member of Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage at UNFCCC Adv. M Hafijul Islam Khan.
The seminar brought together policymakers, researchers, climate experts, and diplomats to discuss critical issues such as inadequate climate finance, slow progress on loss and damage mechanisms, and the need for stronger mitigation targets from major emitters.
