Bangladesh is focusing on renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation to mitigate the adverse impact of carbon emissions,  Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin has said. Speaking at a briefing at COP26 press conference room at Glasgow on Monday, the minister reiterated that Bangladesh has been making the efforts despite being one of the least emitters in the world. Read: COP26: Time running out in Glasgow, as delegates wrangle over details He said in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) update submitted in August this year, “We have put forward enhanced emission reductions by 2030 amounting to around 90 million tons of CO2 equivalent in combination of conditional and unconditional commitments,” He, however, lamented that the global community still lacks a sense of urgency and a true commitment to implementing the Paris Agreement so that countries like Bangladesh can have a sustainable future. In this regard he said that commitment to limit the global warming to 1.5℃, NDC ambition, common timeframe for NDCs as well as decision on Long Term Finance (LTF) are not decided yet. “One crucial demand is definition of Climate Finance, which is yet to be agreed upon. There is no clear roadmap on $100 billion mobilization and new quantified goal. Urgent and adequate replenishment for Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund is also looked-for,” he said. Shahab Uddin mentioned that Bangladesh has recently scrapped 10 coal-based power plant projects worth USD10 billion. The country has also joined the global leaders’ declaration to end and reverse deforestation by 2030. Bangladesh, he said, has installed more than 6 million solar home systems in off-grid areas, and more than 4.5 million improved cooking stoves have been distributed in rural areas. Read: UNDP, BWJA seal deal to address, redress violence against women Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presented clear and concrete proposals from Bangladesh and as the President of Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) on November 1, the minister mentioned. Bangladesh looks forward a balanced and fair outcome at Glasgow by strengthening a “common global commitment” for leaving a healthier planet for our future generation, he said. Deputy Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Begum Habibun Nahar, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Secretary Mostafa Kamal, delegation members Dr Quazi Kholiquzzaman and Prof. Dr. Ainun Nishat were present at the briefing.

A nature-based approach is the most effective way to tackle biodiversity loss, climate change and achieve sustainable development, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin said Thursday. Bangladesh has been putting efforts into achieving sustainable development goals, placing climate, nature and development at its heart, he said. The country has adopted a green growth strategy in its 8th Five Year Plan and Bangladesh Perspective Plan 2021-2041 to harmonise economic growth with environmental sustainability to create a climate-resilient nation, Shahab added. Read: Climate crisis no longer a looming crisis: Mia Seppo The minister made the remarks during the Fourth United Nations Environment Program Session of the Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of the Asia-Pacific held Thursday in South Korea, joining virtually from Dhaka. The government has adopted the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 to achieve a safe, climate-resilient and prosperous delta by ensuring long-term water and food security, economic growth, environmental sustainability while effectively reducing vulnerability to natural disasters and building resilience to climate change, Shahab said. To cut GHG emissions, Bangladesh has revised and submitted Enhanced Updated NDCs on August 26 this year, enhancing both the unconditional and conditional contributions with ambitious quantifiable mitigation targets, he added. Read: Bangladesh, UK issue collective call for ‘ambitious action’ against climate change Shahab Uddin said Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan 2030, finalised by Bangladesh, has recognised the co-benefits of maximising share of renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, giving importance to climate-resilient nature-based approaches of development and due consideration on Locally Led Adaptation. The country is also working on implementing its sectoral policies and action plans like Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, Country Investment Plan on Environment, Forestry and Climate Change, Renewable Energy Roadmap, Plastic Waste Management Action Plan, the minister said. 

Solar light posts are being installed on 28-km Juri-Baralekha road in Moulvibazar district to light up the hilly tracks and reduce road accidents, said Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin. The 30 watts solar lights are being installed at 373 important points from Bhuiya Bazar in Juri upazila to Chandagram Bazar in Baralekha upazila, said a media release Saturday. Read:Is solar power the solution to Bangladesh's growing energy needs The project has been funded Tk 5 crore by Climate Change Trust under the ministry of environment, forests and climate Change. Major aims of the project are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as urbanising rural areas. The minister, who is an MP from the area,  said as part of the implementation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 'Village will be City' plan, solar lights are being provided on roads in remote rural areas of the country. He also said that the widespread use of fossil fuels is increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which is responsible for global warming. To this end, the government is implementing initiatives to generate electricity using various types of renewable energy, including solar power. Read: Renewable energy: 40% target 'ambitious, but roadmap absent' “Solar power has been provided in different parts of the country with the funding of Bangladesh Climate Change Trust,” he added. Solar lights will be installed in phases in all the areas of the country, the release said.

Noise pollution in Dhaka city is now three times higher than the tolerable level, and the invisible danger is putting around 50 lakh people at health risk, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Mohammad Shahab Uddin said on Wednesday. Noise pollution, considered to be any unwanted or disturbing sound that affects the health and well-being, has become an increasingly big issue in cities like Dhaka. People are often becoming the source of indoor and outdoor noise pollution without being aware of it, the minister said.  Also read: Noise pollution: Even the pandemic has failed to quiet Dhaka! The minister was speaking at a virtual workshop organised by the Department of Environment on the occasion of International Noise Awareness Day 2021. From traffic noise to loud or inescapable sounds from construction sites and social and political programmes, sound pollution is impacting millions of people daily. The most common health problem causes irreversible noise induced hearing loss (NIHL), according to experts.

John Kerry, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, on Friday laid emphasis on taking action without taking any mistake to deal with the global climate crisis noting that the US administration is looking for greater collaboration with Bangladesh on the issue.    “So, we know from the scientists - we must all take action,” he said seeking joint efforts to protect the countries, citizens and the future generations as no single country can solve the climate crisis today. Kerry made the remarks at a joint media briefing at State guesthouse Padma after his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the same venue. “We’ve the ability to work together now in order to bring technology, research, development and finance to the table to do what we know we must do,” he said. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin, Saber Hossain Chowdhy, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, Special Envoy for the Vulnerable Forum Presidency Abul Kalam Azad, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller were present.  The visit underscored the US commitment to strengthen implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change designed to limit global warming. Also read: US focuses on Myanmar issues; lauds Bangladesh's extraordinary generosity As part of the Paris outcome, developed countries were urged to scale up their level of support with a concrete roadmap to achieve the goal of mobilising US$100 billion per year for climate action in developing countries.

The government has undertaken a project involving the general people to bring down noise pollution to a tolerable level, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin said Thursday.

Illegal occupants will be evicted from the forest lands and the forests will be brought back. The country will be turned into green Bengal by planting more and more trees.

Trees will fill places in Cox’s Bazar left vacant by Rohingyas who have and will set for Bhashan Char in phases.

The government will provide all necessary assistance for the research and development of jute bags to get rid of polythene.

Norway has shown interest in investing in the ship recycling industry in Bangladesh, which has already set the February 2023 deadline to modernise and turn green all vessel-breaking facilities across the country.