In light of the upcoming climate conference (COP 28), climate experts from Bangladesh have called upon the government to take decisive measures to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. They have also advocated for the establishment of a dedicated fund to address the losses and damages caused by climate change.
A seminar titled “COP 28 Climate Conference: Opinions of Government and Civil Society” was held on Saturday, November 11 at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka.
Experts expressed their concerns about the tactics employed by wealthy nations to shift the burden of carbon emissions onto poorer countries. They argued that these strategies aim to deprive affected countries of their rightful compensation and instead burden them with additional debt instead of financial assistance.
President of Dhaka School of Economics D. Kazi Khalikuzzaman Ahmed presided over this seminar and Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Climate Change Saber Hossain Chowdhury was the chief guest in this seminar. Other notable speakers included Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD, Ziaul Haque, Director of the Environment Directorate, and Sharif Jamil of Water Keepers, Md. Shamsuddoha of CPRD, Fazle Rabbi Sadeqi Ahmed of PKSF, Ziaul Haque Mukta of CSRL, and Rabeya Begum, President of Kansa-BD.
Aminul Haque of EquityBD presented the seminar’s main paper, outlining three key recommendations for the Bangladesh team participating in the Climate Conference, scheduled to commence in Dubai on November 30:
1. Major carbon-emitting countries should revise their national targets, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.
2. A separate loss and damage fund should be established.
3. A new climate finance system should be implemented, one that is grant-based rather than debt-based and provides special support to protect the most vulnerable countries.
During the seminar, Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Climate Change, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, highlighted the shortcomings of the UNFCCC‘s current process. He emphasized that the requirement for unanimous agreement among all participating countries hinders effective decision-making. He advocated for reforming the process, stressing that the current situation is exacerbating the global crisis and undermining the progress made thus far.
Chowdhury also emphasized the importance of collecting scientifically sound data on current conditions to effectively achieve the 1.5-degree temperature target.
Ziaul Haque advocated for national action based on legally binding alternatives that prioritize carbon emission reduction. Fazle Rabbi Sadeqi cautioned against the debt trap created by loans provided under the guise of climate funds, which disproportionately affect less developed countries.
Sharif Jameel stressed the importance of safeguarding national interests while simultaneously challenging major carbon-emitting countries. Ziaul Haque Mukta and other speakers advocated for a structured legal framework to effectively implement the Paris Agreement.
(Climate Journalist)
