Bangladesh, one of the nations most affected by climate change, is not receiving adequate financial support as promised under international agreements, said Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. Talking to UNB during the ongoing COP29 summit in Baku, Rizwana expressed dissatisfaction with the global financing mechanisms, saying that a significant portion of funds is being offered as loans rather than grants. "We do not want to take on more debt, this increases our financial burden." Delays in mitigation measures by developed nations are exacerbating climate risks and reducing disaster management capacities, she said, adding, "Our losses are increasing and risks growing due to these delays." Rizwana stressed the need for ensuring quick and sufficient disbursement of loss and damage funds and for some disasters like salinity intrusion both financial and technological solutions are needed. "To tackle salinity, we need research on how to sustain food and crop production in affected areas. Without adequate funding and technology, it will be challenging for Bangladesh to address such issues," she said. Highlighting Bangladesh's vulnerability, the adviser said two severe floods this year caused $1.7 billion in damages, equivalent to 1.8% of the national budget. Over the past 18 months, the country has experienced 15 climate-induced disasters, leaving 1.2 million people waterlogged, she said. “Despite contributing only 0.4% to global greenhouse gas emissions, Bangladesh faces disproportionate impacts. The country aims to reduce emissions by 22% by 2030 that requires $45 billion in domestic funds and $135 billion in international support,” she said. COP29: Bangladesh Urges Enhanced Adaptation Financing at High-Level Dialogue Rizwana said she called for stronger adaptation funds and sustainable financing at the summit. Grant-based funds and low-interest loans are crucial to avoid overburdening vulnerable nations like Bangladesh, she said, urging the developed countries to honor their commitments under the Paris Agreement. The adviser also highlighted the critical funding gap in adaptation measures, noting that Bangladesh requires $8.5 billion annually but can only mobilize $3 billion from internal sources, causing a $5.5 billion shortfall. Rizwana said at the conference she called for a "Three Zeros Vision"—zero carbon emissions, zero poverty, and zero unemployment—and sought global cooperation to achieve this goal. Former additional secretary Manjurul Hannan Khan, another member of Bangladesh’s delegation attending the conference, expressed skepticism about meaningful outcomes from COP29. "Despite promises of $100 billion annually under the Paris Agreement, only about $20 billion is currently available. Developed countries are falling short of their commitments," he told UNB. He also criticised the preference of developed nations for providing loans or private sector investments instead of direct financial aid to vulnerable countries like Bangladesh. This COP29 is termed the 'Finance COP,' but whether it will deliver remains uncertain, Hannan said. The latest round of UN climate talks, known as COP29, began in Baku, Azerbaijan on November 11. This comes after a year that saw numerous extreme heat records broken and massive climate-driven chaos, like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires in almost every part of the world. This year's conference, dubbed the "climate finance COP," aims to significantly raise financial commitments to help vulnerable nations mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.

USAID will provide a grant of $ 15 million for the USAID ClimAct project, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said on Wednesday. The environment adviser made this announcement after a meeting with a USAID delegation led by Director Joseph Lessard at her office at the Secretariat. The discussions focused on enhancing climate resilience and environmental sustainability through the ClimAct Project. This initiative will assist the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in implementing the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to promote green and climate-resilient pathways for Bangladesh. USAID highlights disaster preparedness, risk reduction efforts in Bangladesh The project will focus on three key areas: policy and planning, accessing finance, and governance of climate actions. During the meeting, Rizwana highlighted the importance of international collaboration. “The ClimAct Project is a crucial step in our fight against climate change, and USAID's support will strengthen our efforts to protect vulnerable communities and ecosystems,” she said. She stressed the need for global partnerships to address climate challenges, adding that collaborating with partners like USAID will enhance the country’s ability to mitigate the impacts of climate change, particularly in flood-prone, river-eroding, and coastal areas. Joseph Lessard reaffirmed USAID's commitment to working with Bangladesh on environmental initiatives, praising the country's proactive approach to climate issues and pledging continued support for long-term climate resilience.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan stressed the importance of establishing fair and transparent climate finance systems to protect vulnerable countries from falling into debt traps. Climate finance must be rooted in justice, ensuring countries like Bangladesh are not burdened with unfair loans while addressing a crisis they did not cause, she said. The adviser made these remarks during a National Dialogue on "Climate Justice in Climate Finance: Climate Debt Trap Risks for Bangladesh and Other LDCs" held at the CIRDAP Auditorium on Sunday. The international community must recognize the necessity of grants, not just loans, to support adaptation and mitigation efforts, she added. Single-use plastic ban, tourist limit to be imposed at St. Martin’s island: Environment Adviser Rizwana Hasan underscored the importance of stronger global commitments to address the historical responsibility of developed nations in contributing to climate change. She urged industrialized countries to take responsibility and provide financial assistance in a manner that does not worsen the economic hardships of LDCs. Bangladesh and other vulnerable nations are grappling with both environmental and economic crises, and climate finance must serve as a tool for empowerment, not exploitation, she noted. Dr. Munzurul Hannan Khan, Executive Director of Nature Conservation Management (NACOM), Md. Rafiqul Islam, Managing Director of the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust (BCCT), and M Zakir Hossain Khan, Managing Director and Chief Executive of Change Initiative, also spoke. The event gathered experts, policymakers, and civil society representatives to discuss challenges and solutions regarding climate finance for developing nations. The dialogue focused on the increasing concerns surrounding the debt risks posed by international climate finance for Bangladesh and other Least Developed Countries.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said on Wednesday that the government is working to develop for understandable early warning system to avoid loss of lives and livelihood of people in the natural calamities. She urged all stakeholders to actively contribute towards developing an effective hydrological status and outlook system. Speaking as the chief guest at a stakeholders’ consultation workshop titled "Early Warning for All through Hydrological Status and Outlook System" held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka, said a media release signed by Dipankar Bar, Public Relations Officer of the ministry.  The adviser stressed that early warnings are a vital part of building resilience. A robust hydrological system, she noted, would allow for better forecasting of potential disasters, enabling proactive measures to protect lives, property, and natural resources. She emphasized that the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities are at constant risk due to climate hazards, making it essential to have an efficient early warning system. Read: Proposals placed at PMO to face possible future natural calamities       Rizwana also said real-time information of upper riparian countries is highly required in this regard and highlighted the need for collaboration between government agencies, scientific communities, and local stakeholders to develop an inclusive system that serves all, particularly the most vulnerable. She called for a unified approach in implementing an early warning system that is both accessible and effective at local and national levels. Md Ashraf Uddin, Secretary, Ministry of Defence presided over the workshop. Kamrul Hasan, Secretary Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief; Md Nazmul Ahsan,  Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources and Dr Hwirin Kim, Head of Hydrology and water Resources Division, WMO also spoke as special guests. Senior officials from the Ministry, representatives from government agencies, NGOs, and international partners participated, discussing the challenges and opportunities of building a robust early warning mechanism for hydrological hazards. Read more: Bangladesh lauded for commitment, measures to fight climate change effects Earlier, the adviser inaugurated joining online the training on the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Policy on Programming and Operations held at Gazipur.

The tiger population in the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, has increased by 11 since the last survey, according to the latest ‘Sundarbans Tiger Survey 2024’. The results, announced today at a press conference at the Secretariat by Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, show the tiger count rising from 114 in 2018 to 125 this year. Adviser Rizwana attributed the growth to ongoing conservation efforts and stricter habitat protections. "The tiger population density in the Sundarbans is now 2.64 tigers per 100 square kilometers, a 9.65% increase since 2018 and a 17.92% rise from 2015," she said, citing data from the survey.

The government is set to implement a gradual ban on vehicle honking across Dhaka city by December, with the goal of making the entire capital a “quiet zone” by early next year, according to Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. This initiative is part of a larger effort to combat noise pollution, which will later expand to other major cities in Bangladesh. In an exclusive interview with UNB, Rizwana Hasan revealed that steps are already underway, starting with key areas of Dhaka. She emphasized that the government is prioritizing public awareness campaigns before enforcing penalties. The initiative aims to address the deep-rooted habit of honking in urban areas. Adviser Rizwana explained that the process would begin with a comprehensive public awareness campaign, followed by strict enforcement of laws against unnecessary honking. Starting in December, drivers caught honking without cause will face a 500 taka fine for the first violation, with increased penalties for repeat offenses. Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana urges for using alternatives to polythene shopping bags “Changing habits will take time, but with proper education and enforcement, we can significantly reduce honking,” she said. She stressed the importance of educating both drivers and the general public before fines are imposed, underscoring the need for a shift in public behavior regarding noise pollution. The adviser highlighted the growing concern over the health risks posed by constant noise pollution. “Unnecessary honking and loudspeakers are disrupting normal life and contributing to serious health issues,” she said, adding that noise pollution is linked to hearing loss, heart disease, high blood pressure, and neurological disorders. “Now is the time to address noise pollution alongside other forms of environmental degradation if we want to ensure sustainable socio-economic development,” Rizwana added. Rizwana Hasan also pointed out the cultural and religious significance of reducing noise. She referenced Islamic teachings that encourage speaking in lower tones to avoid causing discomfort to others. “True power lies in reasoned communication, not in volume,” she said, urging drivers to consider whether honking is necessary, particularly when traffic lights turn green. She called on both drivers and the public to pledge to stop unnecessary honking, adding that restrictions on honking would soon be part of vehicle license renewal requirements. “We need collective efforts to bring about real change,” she said. As part of this initiative, on October 1, the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and its surrounding three-km radius were declared a “quiet zone,” where honking is strictly prohibited. Violators in this area may face fines or even imprisonment. Air Vice Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan, Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), confirmed that the quiet zone extends from Scholastica school to the Le Meridien Hotel. 3-km area of Dhaka airport ‘Silent Zone’ from today This follows a series of measures implemented at the airport to make the area noise-free. The official launch of this quiet zone was overseen by Rizwana Hasan on October 1, signaling the government’s commitment to addressing noise pollution in the city’s most sensitive areas. Moving forward, the government plans to introduce similar noise reduction initiatives in other major cities. Rizwana Hasan called on citizens to support the program, highlighting the importance of creating a culture that discourages excessive noise for the well-being of all. “If we can stop honking, especially in large vehicles like buses and trucks, we can prevent many serious health issues,” she said, noting that other sources of noise pollution, such as loudspeakers and construction work, must also be addressed. Noise pollution: The lethal soundtrack to life in Dhaka

With Dhaka battling every day with toxic air, environmental and rights activists think the ‘ineptitude’ of the authorities concerned to protect people from exposure to ‘hazardous’ and ‘unhealthy’ air is a serious violation of human rights.