State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has called on developed countries to fulfil their climate finance commitments through grants instead of loans, warning that debt-based support would increase the burden on climate-vulnerable communities in Bangladesh.
She also stressed the need for the government, private sector, civil society and experts to work together to strengthen Bangladesh’s unified position at the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31).
The state minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a national dialogue titled “People-Led Policy: Bangladesh Position at COP31” at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka on Saturday.
The event was organised through a joint initiative of 33 national and international organisations working on climate change in Bangladesh. It presented key demands and recommendations from a civil society position paper on climate action.
Shama Obaed Islam said that, a decade after the Paris Agreement, it was essential to assess progress in implementation alongside existing commitments.
She said Bangladesh needed adequate financing to address the impacts of climate change, adding that adaptation and mitigation should receive equal attention and transparency in international climate negotiations should be strengthened.
She also said initiatives were under way to improve coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. She expressed interest in involving young people working on climate issues in the process.
The state minister said Bangladesh planned to showcase environmentally friendly jute products at COP31 through a dedicated Jute Pavilion. The initiative could help expand international markets for jute products and improve the livelihoods of rural farmers.
Mirza Shawkat Ali, director of Climate Change and International Convention at the Department of Environment, attended the event as a special guest. He said initiatives were being taken to reduce industrial emissions, stressing that credible evidence and specific plans were essential to presenting Bangladesh’s demands effectively at international negotiations.
In his welcome address, Dr SM Munjurul Hannan Khan, executive director of Nature Conservation Management (NACOM), highlighted the need for coordinated planning on climate finance, the blue economy, waste management and urban heat stress.
Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh and moderator of the dialogue, called for collective action to secure grant-based climate finance. She said Bangladesh was among the countries bearing a disproportionate burden of climate change and needed united efforts to secure financial support at international climate conferences.
Financing needs and key demands
Presentations at the dialogue examined six major areas of climate action, including financing requirements, pollution control, energy transition, marine resources and youth participation.
According to figures presented at the event, Bangladesh’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) sets a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20.31 percent, equivalent to 84.97 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, by 2035.
Implementing the plan for 2026-2035 is estimated to require US$116.18 billion, including US$90.23 billion in international support.
The National Adaptation Plan for 2023-2050 identifies 113 initiatives requiring approximately US$230 billion.
Roufa Khanum of the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) presented figures on global emissions and Bangladesh’s climate risks.
Professor Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, chairman of the Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), emphasised better waste management and measures to reduce air pollution and industrial emissions.
Mahzabeen Mahfuz of ActionAid Bangladesh discussed a just energy transition, while Chowdhury Abrar Zahin and Helena Khatun addressed marine resources and international finance.
Representing young people, Shohail Bin Saifullah presented six demands covering climate finance, education, employment, gender justice and meaningful youth participation in decision-making.
Participants also stressed the need to ensure that climate finance reaches affected communities, displaced people receive support for resettlement, and women, persons with disabilities and marginalised groups have meaningful roles in climate policymaking.
The civil society position paper outlined six key demands: debt-free, grant-based international climate finance; a unified national position at international negotiations; promotion of environmentally friendly products, including jute; reduction of industrial and air pollution alongside a just energy transition; meaningful participation of young people and marginalised communities; and adequate funding for safe housing for climate migrants, improved waste management and measures to address extreme urban heat.
The position paper was developed by a coalition of 33 platforms representing civil society, international NGOs, academic and research institutions, and young people in Bangladesh.