Civil society urges govt at COP-28 to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 Celsius
Staff Reporter :
A group of civil society organizations on Saturday called upon the government to take a strong initiative in the upcoming COP-28 Climate Conference to limit the global temperature increase to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius.
In addition, they have advocated for the creation of a separate fund to address losses and damages caused by climate change.
The seminar held in the capital was jointly organised by COAST foundation, Organization for Socio-Economic Development, Bangladesh Climate Journalist Forum, Climate Action Network, South Asia-Bangladesh], Centre for Participatory Research and Development, Coastal Development Partnership, Centre for Sustainable Rural Livelihood, Equity and Justice Working Group, Bangladesh.
The seminar was chaired by Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Chairman- Dhaka School of Economics and moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD.
Among others, Special Envoy to the Prime Minister for Climate Change Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Barrister Shameem Haider Patwary, directors of Department of Environment Ziaul Haque and Mirza Shawkat Ali, were present on the occasion.
In a keynote paper Aminul Haque from EquityBD emphasised the significance of CoP 28, noting its role in the first global stock take on Paris Agreement progress, highlighting failures in achieving targets.
He criticised developed countries for their role in risking the 1.5-degree and finance goals, condemning the USA and allies for not reaching a common position on the Loss and Damage Fund.
Saber Hossen Chowdhury as the Chief Guest underscored the deficiencies in the current UNFCCC process, noting its inability to facilitate vital decisions if opposed by a single country.
He urged for a concerted effort to reform the process, pointing out that the prevailing conditions are leading to a deepening crisis and diminishing success.
Barrister Shamim Haider highlights global climate discussions as a vast arena but crucial decisions are made in a cursory way to combat climate change.
Ziaul Haque stated that legally binding alternatives must be based on confronting carbon emission reduction.
Fazle Rabbi asserts that under the guise of climate funds, debts are accumulating, creating a trap for the least developed countries.
