Appreciating Bangladesh’s adaptation and resilience, COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma on Wednesday pledged to help Bangladesh having a “clean energy transition”. “We can work together to make sure that it is not just the public finance but also private finance that is coming into Bangladesh,” he told reporters in a joint media briefing at Foreign Service Academy. Responding to a question, Sharma said he discussed the coal power issue during his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen noting that he raised the issue not just in Bangladesh but around the world. Read:We expect UK to promote interests of climate vulnerable countries: Hasina He laid emphasis on alternative sources of energy – clean energy – if the dependency on coal power is cut globally. To supplement, Foreign Minister Dr Momen said they are scaling down some of the coal power industries as part of reducing dependency on coal power. “We planned to have around 40 percent renewable energy by 2041. We’ll be looking for more renewable energy and we’re asking for technology to support renewable energy,” he said. Bangladesh is among the fast growing economies with significant renewable energy potential, said the UK government. Responding to a question on US$ 100 billion climate fund for developing countries, Sharma said the donor and developed countries need to step up noting that it is a matter of trust and it is very important they deliver on it. He appreciated Bangladesh’s leadership in terms of adaptation and resilience saying they saw a very limited damage during recent cyclones due to Bangladesh’s works done to that front. Sharma expressed satisfaction over private sector’s interest towards clean energy transition but they want long-term policy and clear regulations from all governments around the world. Read: COP26: Alok Sharma discusses climate issues with FM On the Sundarbans, he said they want to see further protection given to areas such as mangroves. “I am looking forward to the visit tomorrow (Thursday) there.” Dr Momen said they want to save the planet. “We’re capable of doing it if there’s strong partnership and collaboration.”  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said Bangladesh expects the UK to promote the interests and priorities of climate vulnerable countries to international platforms. She said this when COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma met her at her official residence Ganobhaban. PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting. Read: COP26: Alok Sharma discusses climate issues with FM He said they discussed various issues like the climate change situation, its global adverse impacts, mitigation and Climate Change Fund and Covid-19 pandemic. Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is going to be the worst affected like some other countries across the globe due to the climate change even though the carbon emission of these countries are very negligible. “We’ll be affected massively,” she said. Hasina said the government has taken various programmes to increase the renewable energy use in mitigating the demand for power. She said there are currently some 5.8 million solar power connections in Bangladesh. The Prime Minister said her government and the Awami League as a party are engaged in massive tree plantation to improve the environment of the country. Read:Alok Sharma in city to discuss climate issues ahead of COP26 Talking about the Covid-19 pandemic and vaccination, the Prime Minister said the government has adopted various measures to run the economy apart from containing the coronavirus infection although Bangladesh is a densely populated country.