Climate Change
Climate Challenge: Kerry due Friday to have discussions with Bangladesh
John Kerry, the United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, is scheduled to arrive here on Friday on a brief visit during which Bangladesh will convey its priority issues on the climate front.
Kerry, now in India on a four-day visit, will hand over the US President’s invitation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in person to attend the "Leaders Summit on Climate" to be held on April 22 and 23 virtually.
Kerry is looking forward to "meaningful discussions" with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and others during his stay in Dhaka on how to tackle the climate crisis.
"In Dhaka, Special Presidential Envoy Kerry will meet representatives from the government of Bangladesh and key development and international partners," a State Department spokesperson told UNB.
As the president of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and the Vulnerable Twenty Group of Finance Ministers, the spokesperson said, Bangladesh plays a leading role in combating climate change.
Also read: Leaders Summit on Climate: Kerry due Apr 9 to invite PM Hasina
Marcia Bernicat, US senior official for economic growth, energy and the environment, has said Bangladesh’s leadership in addressing climate change offers the United States – and the world – a great partner to tackle this climate crisis.
As president of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and the Vulnerable Twenty Group of Finance Ministers, she said, Bangladesh can make irreplaceable contributions towards a successful COP26.
As a climate vulnerable country, Bernicat said, Bangladesh will require significant climate adaptation and resilience, especially in view of its increasingly ambitious climate goals.
US companies are well placed to deliver many of the solutions Bangladesh will need to sustainably grow its economy, she said.
“Yes, we’re happy that he’s coming. We worked with him before, too,” Foreign Minister Dr Momen told UNB.
Also read: Climate-induced displacement a vital security issue for all: Kerry
US President Joe Biden has invited 40 world leaders, including Prime Minister Hasina, to the “Leaders' Summit on Climate” that he will host. The virtual summit will be live-streamed for public viewing.
The “Leaders Summit on Climate” will underscore the urgency – and the economic benefits – of stronger climate action. It will be a key milestone on the road to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow.
“We’ll be happy to convey our priority issues. We’ll also share the steps that Bangladesh has taken so far,” Dr Momen said.
He said Bangladesh believes that adaptation is not enough and there has to be mitigation and Bangladesh needs support as promised by others. “It should be Kerry’s special target.”
Dr Momen said Bangladesh did not create the problem and those responsible countries should share responsibility of rehabilitating and protecting people from the river erosions.
Also read: Kerry invites Bangladesh to join US climate conference
President Biden has emphasised the challenge of climate change, stating, “The United States and the world face a profound climate crisis and by placing climate change at the centre of our foreign policy, diplomacy, and national security.”
During his recent meeting with Presidential Envoy on Climate John Kerry, Dr Momen discussed the global issue of climate change, and the possible US-Bangladesh collaboration in this connection.
The Foreign Minister recollected the vital contribution of Kerry towards the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and welcomed the decision of the US to return to the Paris Agreement.
He described various actions taken by the government of Bangladesh under the prudent leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on mitigation, adaptation and resilience.
Dr Momen also briefed John Kerry on all current and future activities of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) regional office in Dhaka.
Also read: Climate Change: Kerry discusses possible Bangladesh-US collaboration
Kerry recognised the extraordinary challenges faced by Bangladesh due to climate change and frequent natural disasters.
Agreeing that the international financial institutions could do more for the issue of climate change, he also opined that displacement due to climate change would be a vital security issue for everybody.
They agreed to work closely in the COP26 and other multilateral platforms in order to fulfil commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement and even go beyond Paris.
President Biden took action on his first day in office to return the US to the Paris Agreement.
Days later, on January 27, he announced that he would soon convene a leaders’ summit to galvanise efforts by the major economies to tackle the climate crisis.
PM calls for unity in war against nature
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called upon all to remain united in the war against nature to avert a possible loss for mankind.
“In our war against nature, we’ll lose unless we unite,” she wrote in the renowned magazine Diplomat in its April 2021 issue.
In the write up – ‘Forging Dhaka-Glasgow CVF-COP26 Solidarity’ – she said that humans are consciously destroying the very support systems that are keeping us alive.
“What planet shall we leave for the Greta Thunbergs or those at the Bangladesh Coastal Youth Action Hubs? At COP26 we must not fail them,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina, currently the president of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), said, we want to see climate financing unleashed, not only towards low-carbon economy, but also for the promised US$100 billion, and 50 percent dedicated to climate resilience-building.
Also read: Leaders Summit on Climate: Kerry due Apr 9 to invite PM Hasina
“We want to see international carbon markets unlocked for transnational climate cooperation and solutions found to our profound loss, damage and climate injustice,” she added.
She mentioned that the CVF represents over one billion of the world’s most vulnerable communities, whose very survival is threatened by the slightest sea level rise, frequent hurricanes or rapid desertification.
In this connection, she said that for Bangladesh, often referred to as the ‘ground zero’ of natural disasters, climate change is a survival battle braved by millions of our resilient people whose homes, lands and crops are lost to the recurring wrath of nature.
Every year, 2% of country’s GDP is lost to extreme climate events. By the turn of the century, it will be 9%. By 2050, more than 17% of its coastlines will go underwater displacing 30 million.
Six million Bangladeshis have already become climate displaced. And yet the country continues to bear the 1.1 million Rohingyas from Myanmar at the cost of environmental havoc in Cox’s Bazar.
“Who will pay for this loss and damage?” She asked.
Also read: Climate adaptation: Bangladesh for making finance more accessible
The Prime Minister wrote that like Bangladesh, every CVF nation has an irreversible climate loss and damage story to tell.
“But they contributed little to global emissions. It is time to address this climate injustice.”
She said that international cooperation on climate had been de-prioritised by the US for several years. International climate finance was falling far short of the $100 billion pledged at Paris.
“The G-20, accounting for nearly 80 per cent of global emissions lacked the political will to finance transactional carbon markets to support low-carbon projects in vulnerable countries. Loss and damage remained a far cry.”
And then, she said, COVID-19 hit us like a bolt from the blue, triggering the triple perils of climate, health and nature. A rude awakening finally forced the world to heed to my warning that the climate crisis is indeed an emergency.
And any recovery had to be green, nature-based and resilient. Therefore, my first act as CVF President was to declare climate change a ‘planetary emergency’ and call upon all to be on a ‘war footing’ to arrest global temperature rise at 1.5 degrees.
Also read: Bangladesh with Maldives in fighting climate change: PM
“By Autumn 2020, I’d seen very few NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions), and COP26 was postponed, so I launched the ‘Midnight Survival Deadline for the Climate’ initiative at the CVF Leaders’ Summit,” Sheikh Hasina said.
She said that US President Joe Biden’s returning to the Paris treaty was also inspiring.
“But those who failed to meet CVF’s midnight-deadline, I urge them, to submit ambitious NDCs ahead of COP26. CVF’s most vulnerable members pledged no less than a net-zero by 2030, including Barbados, Costa Rica and the Maldives.”
Talking about Bangladesh, she wrote that Bangladesh, the CVF member with the largest population, also submitted interim NDC updates with additional pledges over and above Paris to reduce methane emissions. For Bangladesh and the CVF, climate adaptation and financing is a prime ‘survival’ priority as we relentlessly struggle to protect our populations from recurrent extreme climate events.
“Realistically, my climate survival philosophy has been a common sense one. ‘Help thy self’ and wait for no one to rescue. Because, climate change is not going to spare us for our inactions.”
As a testament to this, she said, she had long championed locally-led adaptation and resilience-building at the heart of which are local actors, especially women and youth.
In 2020, when Category-5 Cyclone Amphan mercilessly hit Bangladesh and India, Bangladesh demonstrated its capability to evacuate 2.4 million people and half-a-million livestock to safety in less than five days.
Also read: Climate change: Hasina seeks more actions than words
That same year, two-thirds of Bangladesh went under water in flash floods during the pandemic.
Even though this double jeopardy cost $3.5 billion in GDP losses, disaster preparedness of Bangladesh saved millions of lives.
She said that Bangladesh has also learnt to self-finance its climate projects. The government has thus created a $450 million Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund that supports nearly 800 adaptation and resilience projects in its vulnerable coasts.
“We are spending on an average 2.5 per cent of our GDP – US$5billion each year – on climate adaptation and resilience-building.”
She said that Bangladesh built 16.4km of sea dykes, 12,000 cyclone shelters and 200,000 hectares of coastal plantation.
The scientists invented nature-based solutions for the country’s coastal communities, such as salinity and stress tolerant crops, rain reservoirs and pond-sand-filters, floating agriculture technology and mobile water treatment plants.
In Bangladesh, the Prime Minister wrote, we are now championing climate prosperity. By pioneering the ‘Mujib Climate Prosperity Decade 2030,’ named after Bangladesh’s Founding Father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman during his birth centenary, I have called CVF nations to initiate ‘climate prosperity plans.’ We have already planted 11.5 million trees under our plan.
These are strategic, low carbon investment frameworks integrated into national development plans for capturing our growth and prosperity. But the CVF can only do so much on its own.
“There is a limit to adaptation too!” she said.
“It is vital to build strong CVF-COP solidarity. We want to see a Dhaka-Glasgow-CVF-COP26 Declaration emerge from November’s meeting. We, the climate vulnerable nations want to see G20 submit ambitious NDCs before COP26.”
Fighting plastic pollution: EcoVia working to transform RMG waste
EcoVia, a biodegradable plastic manufacturing startup, is working to combat plastic pollution by offering environmentally friendly alternatives. The organization uses plant-based waste, such as apparel and paper waste, to make bioplastics.
Plastic is responsible for polluting water bodies and soil, and for disrupting the ecological balance. The main reason behind this destruction is the non-biodegradable nature of plastic.
One plastic bottle takes 450 years to decompose if left on the earth or ocean. However, biodegradable products take much less time to decompose and do not harm the ecological balance.
Also read: Jute: The Greenest Alternative to Plastic Bags
Moreover, with each kilogram of plastic produced, 6 kg carbon is released into the environment, leading to an increase in global warming.
So, a group of three came together in 2019 to launch EcoVia to fight plastic pollution. They developed new products but were not satisfied with what they achieved.
Finally, the group came up with the idea of making cellulosic bioplastic from cotton-based garments wastage. However, they did not have any capital to establish the company.
The group invested their money from part-time work, pocket money, prize money from small-scale business competitions into their startup. They scoured the market to identify the feasibility and viability of the product.
Also read: BYLC Ventures holds virtual entrepreneurship bootcamp
The trio put in all their effort, time, and resources into this project. Finally, it bore fruit when they were able to prove that per kilogram of their bioplastic product would save around 5.5 kg of carbon footprint, as the product completely decomposes in a matter of 150 days.
Through their impactful idea, they achieved success in multiple business and entrepreneurial competitions. They were elected as one of the South Asian regional winners of Climate Launchpad as well as being selected as one of the winners of cohort 1 of BYLC Ventures.
These competitions gave them a decent runway to operate on but they are constantly striving towards improving their product and gaining funds to grow their company.
"The world is becoming more aware and cautious of climate change and plastic pollution. So, fortunately, the acceptance and demand for products like EcoVia are on the rise," Rashik Hassan, co-founder of EcoVia, said.
"We are always trying to improve our existing product and also wish to introduce new product lines as well as ensure good revenue for our investors."
Read Global Youth Climate Summit 2021 urges pressing actions to combat climate change
Calls for immediate action to tackle climate change
By Dominic Raab
Across the world people are increasingly facing extreme weather – from life-threatening flooding and droughts, to catastrophic wildfires. Climate change is an emergency happening now and it is being compounded by Covid-19 – with the impacts most severe in developing countries.
In the UK’s role as President of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), which we are hosting in Glasgow in November, we are working with impacted countries to put their voices at the centre of decision-making.
That’s why we hosted a Climate and Development Ministerial meeting on 31 March with many of the countries worst affected by climate change – including Bangladesh, bringing them together with donor countries and international organisations to discuss practical, real world solutions. Now is the time for action – as the world prepares for COP26 and strives to fight the pandemic.
We now have a real opportunity to reshape our economies, ensuring they can withstand the effects of climate change and support sustainable jobs and growth. The scale of the opportunity is clear. By boosting investment in renewable energy, like wind and solar power, we have seen the number of jobs in the sector quadruple, from around 10 million today to 42 million globally by 2050. Off-grid solar power alone supports over 350,000 jobs across East, West and Central Africa, and South Asia, with the potential to increase to 1.3 million in the next two years.
So the question that I have been putting to my counterparts in countries facing the worst of climate change is “what support do you need to recover and respond to climate change?” Their response is clear: more climate finance and easier access to it, help with rising debt levels caused by the economic consequences of Covid-19, and greater support to adapt to the effects of climate change.
In each of these areas, the UK is leading the response. We have committed £11.6 billion during the next five years in climate finance and, through our Presidencies of COP26 and the G7, we are urging others to follow our lead. We are working closely with the G7, G20 and the sustainable creditor partners, the Paris Club, to agree an unprecedented response to alleviate the debt burden. The G20 scheme that we helped launch last year has suspended repayments from the most vulnerable countries worth $5.7 billion.
While we must focus on stopping further global warming, we must also act now to adapt to the impacts of climate change and address loss and damage. That is why, during the past decade, the UK has supported 66 million people around the world as they endure the damaging effects of the climate change emergency.
The Climate and Development Ministerial sent an urgent message to the world that action is needed now. If we are going to stop further catastrophic impacts for us all, we must limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees – but that will only be possible if all nations come forward with ambitious plans.
So, when the world gathers in Glasgow in November, we must ensure that we are all doing what is needed to turn back the dial on climate change, lay the foundations for a green recovery, and secure a brighter future for us all. That is our urgent, shared mission – and the concerns of the most climate-vulnerable nations must be at its heart.
Dominic Raab MP is the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
China committed to remain engaged in future development
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Wednesday said China will coordinate sustainable and green development and respond to the core concerns of Bangladesh and the international community on climate change.
He made the remarks at a webinar titled-“Impressions of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on newly born People’s Republic of China” organised by Bangladesh-China Silk Road Forum.
“Bangladesh has just completed a 10-day long grand celebration on the occasion of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Independence. I would like to take this opportunity to pay my highest tribute to Bangabandhu. As a friendly neighbour, we are very proud and glad to see the prosperity and progress of Bangladesh,” he added.
Li Jiming also said over the past 46 years, China and Bangladesh have carried forward the traditional friendship, continuously deepened political mutual trust, and promoted economic and trade cooperation.
During President Xi's state visit to Bangladesh in October 2016, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and decided to elevate bilateral ties to the level of a strategic partnership of cooperation.
“China has been Bangladesh's largest trading partner for years. In July last year, China began to offer zero-tariff treatment to 97% of Bangladesh's exports, and Bangladesh has ushered in a new golden age in exporting to China, Chinese market, the largest single retail market in the world and attracting Chinese and foreign investors,” he added.
Also read: Will strengthen development strategies with Bangladesh: Chinese President
During the pandemic, China and Bangladesh supported each other and worked together to overcome difficulties. At the difficult time for China to fight the pandemic, the government and people of Bangladesh donated a large number of medical materials to China, he also said.
The two countries have also overcome the impact of the pandemic to advance cooperation projects such as the Padma Bridge and a multi-lane road tunnel under the Karnaphuli River. The Payra Power Plant has been completed and is going to go into commercial operation.
“In 2021, China and Bangladesh have both entered a new stage of development. China has completed building a moderately prosperous society in all respects successfully and is going to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and embark on the 14th Five-Year Plan to achieve the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, while Bangladesh celebrates the 50th anniversary of its independence and embark on the 8th Five-Year Plan to achieve the Vision 2041,” he also said.
“At present, the COVID-19 epidemic has brought the world into a period of turbulence and change. Only by maintaining strategic focus in the face of challenges, sticking to the theme of development and working together can we promote China-Bangladesh strategic partnership of cooperation entering a new stage. China and Bangladesh should adhere to the common commitment of upholding multilateralism made by the heads of states, and contribute to world peace and stability in the post-pandemic era,” Li Jiming said.
He added that Bangladesh’s GDP has maintained a growth rate of over 6% for many years in a row. This has raised the welfare of Bangladeshi people. Recently, Bangladesh has obtained the qualification to graduate from the Least Developed Countries as assessed by the United Nations.
Also read: Bangladesh, China discuss Covid vaccine assistance: Envoy
In his video message, China’s president Xi Jinping stressed that he attaches great importance to China-Bangladesh relations.
“In the future, we would like to work with people from all walks of life in Bangladesh to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of our two nations, promote the synergy between the two countries to achieve high-quality coordinated development, and promote the early realization of the Chinese Dream and the dream of "Sonar Bangla. I am confident that with the concerted efforts of China and Bangladesh, China-Bangladesh cooperation will yield even more golden fruits,” he also added.
Li Jiming said to continue the expansion of cooperation, China has decided to donate 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Bangladesh, ensuring the fulfillment of China's commitment to making vaccines more accessible and affordable in developing countries.
Professor Dr. Gowher Rizvi, International Affairs Adviser to Prime Minister; Rashed Khan Menon, President of Workers Party of Bangladesh, Hasanul Haque Inu, President of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Mozaffar Hossain Paltu, Advisory Council Member of Bangladesh Awami League, and Dilip Barua, Chairperson of Bangladesh-China Silk Road Forum also joined in the virtual discussion.
Local community participation in climate change mitigation paramount: Minister
Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin has pointed out that climate change is one of the biggest challenges to Bangladesh becoming the 25th largest economically prosperous country in the world by 2050.
"It is said that Bangladesh's economy is more at risk to climate change than any country," he said at the knowledge sharing workshop of the ICBAAR project at a hotel in Dhaka on Sunday.
He said that to sustain the economic growth, the government is emphasising climate change mitigation in its policies. "Therefore, in the National Adaptation Action Plan (NAPA) and the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCAP), participation of local communities in climate change mitigation has been considered paramount."
He said the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has taken initiatives for green budget for all ministries.
Also read: 'No time to waste': A clarion call for action against climate change
UNDP initiated integrating community-based Adaptation into Afforestation and Reforestation Program (ICBAAR) in 2017 to increase species diversity in the coastal forest, which resulted in enhanced socio-economic benefits to local communities from the forests.
It was supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and implemented through the Bangladesh Forest Department in collaboration with seven ministries and departments of government, with the financial support from Global Environment Facility (GEF)
For the last four years, the project has been providing climate-resilient, innovative and ecosystem-based diversified livelihood support to 8,600 coastal, poor and forest-dependent households to adapt to climate change, said UNDP.
The project makes a conscious effort to empower women and their involvement in advancing resilience in coastal areas, of which over 52 percent are women.
Also read: Swedish minister happy with Bangladesh’s use of climate change adaptation support
"ICBAAR activities have piqued the interest of the coastal communities, and many are adapting to innovative livelihood options introduced by the project. I hope these activities are rolled out to other coastal areas of Bangladesh for overall strengthening of the vulnerable population," the minister said.
Appreciating the project interventions, Deputy Minister Habibun Nahar said, "I believe the Project learnings, best practices and knowledge products can be included in future Coastal Climate Change planning, which will make today's effort more fruitful."
"Adopting a green, clean production agenda will be imperative if Bangladesh wants to meet export-led growth ambition in the post-LDC graduation period," said UNDP Resident Representative Sudipto Mukerjee.
"This is the forests that protect us from cyclones and climate impacts. Now it is our moral responsibilities to protect them," he added.
Also read: Global Youth Climate Summit 2021 urges pressing actions to combat climate change
"ICBAAR was successful in building key strategic partnerships, cooperating with relevant institutions, and building linkages with other projects. The project adopted co-management approach and acted as a platform of collaboration for multiple government, non-government organisations and individuals, which represents an excellent recipe for future replication on other projects or to other areas."
"We must seize the opportunity to properly utilise the enormous project learnings generated through concerted efforts of various sectors," the UNDP RR said.
The workshop was chaired by the ministry’s Secretary Ziaul Hasan while Chief Conservator of Forest Amir Hossain Chowdhury was the special guest. UNDP's Program Specialist Arif M Faisal and ICBAAR Project Manager Dr Muhammed Muzammel Hoque gave keynote presentations.
Let's redouble efforts to promote stronger Dhaka-London trading ties: Rushanara
British lawmaker Rushanara Ali has laid emphasis on redoubling efforts by Bangladesh and the UK to address the threat of climate change and promote stronger trading relationships.
"As we look to the future, let's redouble our efforts to alleviate poverty, tackle injustice, address the threat of climate change and promote stronger trading relationships," she said in a video message.
Rushanara said the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence is of profound importance to Bangladesh and to Bangladeshis around the world.
Also read; UK must lead efforts to protect global trade, supply chains: Rushanara
"Let's all work hard to ensure the people of Bangladesh can thrive and prosper over the coming years and decades," she said.
On the special anniversary, the British MP remembered all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and independence. "We're forever indebted to them."
Also read; British MPs, diplomats express solidarity with Bangabandhu’s secular, progressive values
As a British Bangladeshi, she said, she is extremely proud of the contributive of so many in the United Kingdom who helped fight for independence, including those in the British Bangladeshi community of my parents’ generation.
World Meteorological Day highlights importance of ocean
The World Meteorological Day 2021 was observed in the country as elsewhere in the world on Tuesday, focusing on the role of people to protect the ocean.
The ocean drives the world’s weather and climate and anchors the global economy and food security.
Climate change is hitting the ocean hard, but also increasing hazards for hundreds of millions of people, said a release of World Meteorological Organization.
Also read:Ocean, climate, weather theme to mark World Met Day
This year’s World Meteorological Day on 23 March is devoted to the theme “The ocean, our climate and weather.” It highlights how observations, research and services are more critical than ever before for more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface which is simultaneously increasingly vulnerable and perilous.
Will remain a partner of Bangladesh for its future journey: Swedish Minister
Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation Per Olsson Fridh has said Sweden will remain a partner of Bangladesh for its future journey as the partnership in the past decades grew stronger.
Swedish minister happy with Bangladesh’s use of climate change adaptation support
Swedish Minister of International Development Cooperatives Per Olsson-Fridh has expressed satisfaction at the use of his country's climate change adaptation support in Bangladesh.