Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, Climate Change, and Water Resources, said on Monday that Bangladesh faces significant challenges in transitioning to renewable energy, emphasizing the need for timely and equitable financial and technological support.
Despite these hurdles, Bangladesh remains committed to its target of generating 40 per cent of its energy from renewables by 2041 and is actively revisiting energy policies to ensure sustainability and energy sovereignty.
The environment adviser made this statement while delivering a speech at the side event, “Road to Net Zero: Navigating the Energy Transition in South Asia,” held at the World Bank-IMF Pavilion during the World Climate Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
To reduce dependence on imported solar panels, Bangladesh has requested China to relocate solar manufacturing plants, she said, adding that policies on solar energy, including high taxes, are also under review. The potential of rooftop solar on high-rise buildings and unused government or tea estate lands is being explored as part of the solution.
Speaking at another event organized by UNFCCC, she noted that implementing Bangladesh’s updated NDC requires $176 billion by 2030, with $32 billion needed for unconditional actions. The remaining amount relies on international support, particularly through mechanisms like Article 6. Bangladesh is also preparing to submit its NDC 3.0 next year.
The adviser stressed the importance of partnerships with Germany and other global leaders in decarbonizing key industries like steel and cement, highlighting Bangladesh’s vision of “Three Zeros”—zero net carbon emissions, zero poverty, and zero unemployment, inspired by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus.
She emphasized the need for integrated natural resource management alongside carbon reduction and requested Germany’s assistance in cleaning rivers in Bangladesh. The adviser also invited global stakeholders to an international climate finance conference in Bangladesh in March 2025 and urged investment in building the capacity of young climate activists.
Later, Rizwana Hasan attended a session on "Article 6 Implementation Partnership" at the Japan Pavilion. Organized by the Ministry of Environment of Japan, the session delved into market-based approaches for reducing emissions under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Syeda Rizwana Hasan asked Japan for support for capacity building, technology transfer, and investments.
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.