Bangladesh should prioritise self-reliant climate plans: Experts

Experts and civil society representatives Thursday emphasised the need for Bangladesh to adopt self-reliant climate plans to combat climate change effectively.

At a press conference titled “COP 29 Outcome: Bangladesh Should Focus on Self-Reliant Climate Planning” at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity, they criticised global pledges, such as the $300 billion annual commitment, as inadequate for vulnerable nations like Bangladesh.

Several civil society organisations jointly organised the conference.

Md Abul Hasan from COAST Foundation, in his keynote, said that COP 29 failed to address key demands, including bridging mitigation-adaptation financing gaps and recognising non-economic losses under Loss and Damage Financing (LDF).

He proposed focusing on independent climate strategies, revising climate plans with local resources and participatory approaches and avoiding overly ambitious NDC revisions before COP 30 in 2025.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury from EquityBD criticised loan-dependent climate strategies, such as the Delta Plan 2030, urging the government to prioritise indigenous knowledge and self-sufficient solutions.

He also stressed the need for reducing reliance on inadequate global support and focus on sustainable, locally driven initiatives.