In a first-of-its-kind legal move in South Asia, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court is set to examine a writ petition challenging the government’s Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) 2023.
The petition, filed by Lawyers for Energy Environment and Development Limited (LEED) on Tuesday, argues that the plan’s reliance on fossil fuels violates the country’s constitutional right to a healthy environment and contravenes international climate agreements.
A division bench of the HC led by Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Mubina Asaf, has issued a rule questioning the legitimacy of the IEPMP.
The court also asked the respondents to explain why the plan should not be reconsidered to incorporate input from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and align with the Climate Prosperity Plan (CPP) 2022–2041.
Fossil Fuels Versus Renewable Energy
According to the petition, IEPMP envisions 30.7% of Bangladesh’s energy coming from fossil fuels like coal and LNG by 2050, alongside 32.8% from emerging technologies such as hydrogen and ammonia co-firing. Critics, however, claim this approach undermines Bangladesh’s CPP, which targets 100% renewable energy by 2050.
Advocates for the petition, including Barrister Abdullah Mahmood Hasan and Advocate Abdullah Al Noman, argue that the reliance on fossil fuels disregards Article 18A of the Bangladesh Constitution, which guarantees citizens’ rights to environmental protection.
They also highlight the plan’s potential to exacerbate climate change through increased greenhouse gas emissions, leaving Bangladesh, a nation highly vulnerable to climate disasters, at greater risk.
Environmental groups, including the Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), have criticized the IEPMP for lacking transparency and excluding local experts from its formulation.
They questioned the economic and technical viability of relying on untested technologies like hydrogen and ammonia co-firing.
“By prioritizing fossil fuels, the IEPMP disregards Bangladesh’s international commitments, such as the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” said Hasan Mehedi, Chief Executive of CLEAN.
The petition has positioned Bangladesh as a global leader in holding governments accountable for climate inaction.
Legal experts draw parallels to climate lawsuits worldwide, such as recent actions in South Korea. If successful, the case could set a vital precedent for South Asia.
The petition calls for the adoption of the CPP, which promotes renewable energy, grassroots participation, and international cooperation.
Advocates argue that this plan aligns with constitutional mandates and global climate commitments while securing sustainable development.
The involvement of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which funded energy projects under the IEPMP, has also drawn criticism.
Activists question the agency’s support for fossil fuel-based initiatives, urging a shift toward renewable energy financing in compliance with global climate goals.
This legal battle underscores the urgency of climate action in Bangladesh, one of the most climate-vulnerable nations. The court’s decision is expected to shape the country’s energy future and its role in the global climate movement.
