Staff Reporter, Dhaka : The Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said that within the next two to three years, all government institutions must take the lead in transitioning to renewable energy. Emphasizing sustainable consumption and production, she urged
all sectors to adopt environmentally friendly strategies, stating, ‘Reducing emissions is not only about production; it also requires ensuring responsible consumption.’
She made these remarks while addressing the opening session as the chief guest at the international conference titled ‘Road to COP30: How Can National Interests Be Aligned with Global Climate Goals?’ Held today at the BRAC Centre Inn in Dhaka’s Mohakhali. The central theme of the conference was ‘A World Beyond Crisis: Climate Solutions That Work.’
The adviser informed that the Department of Environment, with support from the World Bank, is constructing green office buildings across different regions and developing models of energy-efficient, eco-friendly infrastructures in collaboration with architects and engineers. She noted that dual accounting in climate finance and weak global governance systems have created a trust deficit and hindered the flow of adaptation support. ‘If major economic sectors continue to increase emissions, technology transfer alone will not solve the problem,’ she added.
Rizwana Hasan emphasized that Bangladesh must remain proactive in protecting its national interests, economic activities and people’s livelihoods. She praised the government’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), which reflect the participation and ownership of all relevant ministries and agencies. She also instructed the Department of Environment to formulate an integrated action plan with specific timelines to reduce emissions in sectors such as transport, agriculture and industry.
She further mentioned that under the newly established Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP), four working groups have been formed, with directives to include representatives from civil society and academia to provide technical and policy support. Referring to the environmental damage caused by brick kilns, the adviser called for the use of alternative construction materials that would reduce carbon emissions, protect agricultural land and prevent hill cutting. She suggested using dredged river silt instead of fertile soil for brick production.
Highlighting the importance of adaptation measures, she said that coastal afforestation, rainwater harvesting and low-cost salinity removal technologies are crucial to enhancing resilience in climate-vulnerable coastal areas. She urged development partners to increase financial and technological support for implementing local solutions in Bangladesh.
The discussion was presided over by Khushi Kabir, a member of the CPD Board of Trustees.
Among others, participants included Dr. Ainun Nishat, Adviser of BRAC University’s C3ER; Dr. Shah Abdul Sadee, Deputy Secretary of the Economic Relations Division; Ulrich Kleppmann, Head
of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy; Mohammad Sohel, Director of BGMEA; Shirin Sultana Lira, Program Manager at the Embassy of Switzerland; and Mousumi Parvin, Senior
Climate Change Officer at ADB.