Speakers at a seminar in Brazil today underscored the need to ensure transparency, fairness, and green growth in global carbon markets under the Paris Agreement.
The session titled “Article 6 of the Paris Agreement: Pathways for Emission Reduction” was held at the Bangladesh Pavilion during the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil today at Bangladesh Pavellion.
The event was chaired by Mohammad Navid Shafiullah, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and attended by Farida Akhtar, Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, as the Chief Guest.
Professor Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Dean of the Faculty of Science at Stamford University Bangladesh and Chairman of the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), presented the keynote paper, while Md. Ziaul Haque, Additional Director General of the Department of Environment (DoE), moderated the session.
In her remarks, Farida Akhtar said that the effective implementation of Article 6 requires integrated international cooperation. “I am confident that Bangladesh, with its national capacity and the support of global partners, will continue to strengthen climate resilience and address climate-related risks,” she said.
Presenting his keynote, Dr. Majumder noted that Bangladesh’s total greenhouse gas emissions stood at 90–98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2022, accounting for about 0.38% of global emissions. Of this, the energy sector contributed 46%, agriculture 39%, industry 8%, and waste management 7%.
Citing the 2022 baseline, he said total national GHG emissions were 252 million tonnes CO₂e, with energy (48.81%), agriculture, forestry and land use (37.83%), and waste (10.69%) as key contributors. Under the country’s NDC 3.0 target, Bangladesh aims to cut GHG emissions by 15% by 2030 with international assistance.
“Article 6 opens a new window of opportunity for Bangladesh,” Dr. Majumder said. “It is not just a mechanism for emission reduction but also a strategic entry point into the global carbon market. However, transparency, fairness, and green growth must guide our participation.”
Chair Navid Shafiullah highlighted that Article 6 enables emission trading, technology transfer, and climate finance between nations. “Bangladesh is encouraging investment in renewable energy, sustainable transport, waste management, and carbon capture technologies to harness these opportunities,” he said.
Panelist Sharif Jamil, Coordinator of Waterkeeper Bangladesh, emphasized a people-centered approach to green growth. “Both Bangladesh and Brazil rely heavily on community-based, river-dependent economies. Carbon markets must go beyond financial gain to ensure justice, transparency, and long-term sustainability,” he said.
Another panelist, Mohammad Ali Ahmed from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Somalia, stressed the importance of collaboration among developing nations. “If African and South Asian countries do not work together, global emission reduction will remain a dream. Article 6 provides a roadmap for that joint effort,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Md. Ziaul Haque of the DoE said a functional carbon market depends on accurate emission inventories, data-driven research, and institutional capacity building. “Now is the time to strengthen our emission data systems and institutional frameworks,” he added.