Experts urge re-evaluation of energy policy to curb air pollution

Re-evaluation of the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) is essential to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions, said experts at a policy dialogue on Thursday.

They suggested getting rid of dependence on foreign donors and consultants in policy formulation. It is also necessary to clearly include pollution reduction practices, strict emission regulations, and clean energy transition in the IEPMP.

Officials took part in the event advocating for forming a joint commission for policy formulation in Bangladesh.

The online policy dialogue titled “Role of IEPMP to reduce carbon emissions and ensure clean air” was jointly organized by the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), Center for Participatory Research and Development–CPRD, and Just Energy Transition Network Bangladesh (JETNET-BD).

The event was attended by Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Mohammad Ejaz as the chief guest.

The policy dialogue was chaired and moderated by Md. Shamsuddoha, Chief Executive of CPRD, and was attended by Dharitri Kumar Sarkar, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Environment, as a special guest.

Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Director of CPD, Shafiqul Alam, Chief Analyst of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), Roufa Khanum, Assistant Director, Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) of BRAC University and Prof Md. Jakariya, Department of Environmental Science & Management, North South University, were also present.

In his keynote address, CAPS Chairman Prof Ahmed Kamruzzaman Majumdar said that IEPMP lacks specific guidance on emission standards and energy transition.

"If we focus only on generation capacity, do not put in place strong pollution control measures, or leave pollution control absent in our beautiful master plan, it will have a negative impact on Bangladesh’s environment and economy in the long run. Therefore, it is necessary to clearly include pollution reduction practices, strict emission regulations, and clean energy transition in the IEPMP", he added.

Mohammad Ejaz said that the use of renewable energy is essential to ensure clean air and reduce carbon emissions, and we should reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

He also said that renewable energy is essential to establishing a just city; In this case, the policy can be re-evaluated if necessary.

Dharitri Kumar Sarkar said, "In our country, multiple policies have been formulated at different times regarding energy. There is no consistency between these policies to a large extent. We need to formulate an effective policy in a coordinated manner."

"We need to get rid of dependence on foreign donors and consultants in policy formulation. No foreign resources can be used to implement the law. It is important to form a joint commission for policy formulation in Bangladesh," Khondaker Golam Moazzem stated. 

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