Speakers at a seminar on Thursday highlighted Bangladesh’s role as an active voice in global climate diplomacy, combating climate change and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
They noted that the country is among the least carbon emitters, but remains highly vulnerable to climate change impacts.
Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised the seminar titled “Application of Carbon Financing: Challenges and Policy Options for Bangladesh” at the BIISS auditorium.
State Minister of Finance Waseqa Ayesha Khan spoke as the chief guest while Chairman of BIISS Ambassador AFM Gousal Azam Sarker moderated and wrapped the session up with some remarks.
Carbon financing can be a useful instrument in this regard and it assigns a monetary value to carbon emissions and enables businesses willing to offset their own emissions to purchase carbon credits generated by sustainable initiatives, they observed.
The Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) from Bangladesh sold over 2.53 million carbon credits equivalent to US$16.25 million - between 2006-2023 - and there remain greater prospects for the country.
The speakers focused on the need of establishing comprehensive policy guidelines, raising awareness, and effective participation of all relevant stakeholders.
Director General of BIISS Major General Md Abu Bakar Siddique Khan delivered the welcome address.
Research Director of BIISS Dr Mahfuz Kabir presented the keynote paper titled “Pathways of Carbon Financing: Imperatives for Bangladesh”.
The Keynote presentation was followed by a panel discussion. The panel was consisted of Eun Joo Allison Yi, senior environment specialist, the World Bank; Arif M. Faisal, programme specialist, UNDP, Bangladesh; Alamgir Morshed, Executive Director and CEO, Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL); Shams Mahmud, Managing Director, Shasha Denims Ltd and Director, BGMEA; and Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Additional Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh.
Senior officials from different ministries, diplomatic missions, media, researchers, businesspeople, teachers and students from various universities, representatives from different think tanks, international organisations, participated in the seminar and enriched it by presenting their valuable opinions, comments, suggestions, and observations during the open discussion session.