'Bangladesh prioritises realisation of green climate fund at COP27'

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin has said Bangladesh will urge the developed countries to give $100 billion to the countries affected by climate change, as promised by them, at the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference of The Parties, popularly called COP27.

In an interview with UNB, the minister said Bangladesh expects the world leaders to implement Glasgow-Sharm El-Sheikh work programme on The Global Goal on Adaptation at this year's climate conference.

COP27 is taking place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, from November 6-18, where Bangladesh is playing a crucial role as one of the top actors on behalf of the vulnerable countries.

"To implement the National Adaptation Plan prepared by the Bangladesh government, we need $230 billion till 2030. We hope that international organisations like the United Nations will help us execute the plan effectively," Shahab said.

He said that allocation of funds by the rich countries, which are the top emitters of harmful carbon dioxide, would top Bangladesh's list of demands at COP27.

"According to the Standing Committee on Finance, the developing nations need $8.8 to $9.9 trillion till 2030 to deal with the climate change-induced losses. Besides, the rich countries need to reduce the emission of greenhouse gas by 45 percent within 2030 to keep the rise of temperature within 1.5 degrees Celsius. Bangladesh will strongly urge the developed countries to take these facts into cognisance."

About the Paris Agreement, the minister said the decisions laid out in the deal haven't been implemented yet.

"Developed countries are yet to provide their promised money for the Green Climate Fund. A decision was taken to equally distribute the money of the fund among the climate vulnerable countries, which is yet to happen. Besides, developing countries haven't recovered from the losses caused by climate change yet. These issues will be discussed at COP27.

"Bangladesh's per capita greenhouse gas emission was at .2 tonnes a decade ago. This amount has increased to .6 tonnes in recent years due to urbanisation and industrialisation. On the contrary, developed countries emit 10 to 15 tonnes of greenhouse gas, while the amount is 4 to 5 tonnes in rapidly developing countries. Although Bangladesh doesn't contribute to climate change, we're one of the worst victims of this calamity," Shahab added.

Bangladesh, the minister said, has been witnessing a surge in the signs of climate change for the last couple of years.

"Rivers created from the glacial lakes [lakes formed through the melting of ice] are falling into the Bay of Bengal crisscrossing Bangladesh. This water system is having adverse impacts due to climate change. Sea level is rising and salinity is increasing, while irregular and excessive rain is happening. In short, all the signs of climate change are now visible in our country."

Asked about Bangladesh's preparations to face climate change, Shahab said that the government has beefed up its activities to reduce the risks posed by the global crisis.

To tackle climate change, the government has taken up 789 projects at a cost of Tk 3,362.32 crore. The entire amount has already been allocated for the execution of the projects. Besides, the drafts of National Adaptation Plan and Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan 2022-2041 have also been finalised, the minister said.