Bangladesh is one of the countries at risk of climate change: Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh’s contribution to global carbon emissions is very small, but Bangladesh is one of the affected and vulnerable countries. This adverse effect of climate change is a threat to the potential development and economic prosperity of Bangladesh.

He said these things at the opening ceremony of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Expo-2024 organized for the first time in Bangladesh at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center on Monday (April 22) noon.

The Prime Minister said, we have called upon the developed world to limit the rise in global temperature to one point of 5 degrees Celsius. Bangladesh formulated the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) in 2015 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And in 2021 it was updated and submitted to UNFCCC. In this we set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 6.73% in unconditional and .12% in conditional products.

He also said that by reducing the use of fossil fuels, the use of renewable energy has been increased in Bangladesh. In order to reduce the emission of green house gas. Bangladesh has always been working with the international community to combat the impact of climate change. Global warming causes sea level rise; About 12 to 17 percent of Bangladesh is at risk of submergence by the end of this century.

Over the next 27 years, we need about USD 230 billion to implement the action plans adopted in NAP. For this, Sheikh Hasina called upon rich countries and the international community to take measures for specific funds and additional financial resources.

He also said that developed countries are playing a greater role in increasing global warming through massive carbon emissions. Protecting people affected by climate change is their moral responsibility. We expect developed countries to keep their promises. Although Bangladesh’s contribution to global carbon emissions is less than 0.48 percent; We are one of the countries most affected and vulnerable to its negative effects. These adverse effects of climate change pose a threat to our potential development and economic prosperity.

In her speech, Sheikh Hasina also said that even after the transition from LDC, I am drawing the attention of the international community and rich countries to ensure that the countries that are threatened by the adverse effects of climate change, including Bangladesh, continue to receive financial, scientific and technical assistance. It should be ensured that all the countries which have already formulated NAP, get financial support for implementation of NAP easily and quickly.

The Prime Minister gave 6-point recommendations to take internationally coordinated initiatives to increase climate adaptation capacity and reduce risk.

In the 6-point proposal, developed countries must fulfill their commitment of 100 billion dollars annually in the climate fund – he reiterated that the world would have been saved if the money was spent on combating climate change instead of spending on wars and weapons.

/MA/