PM pushes five-point climate agenda
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has placed five proposals for urgent international action at the centre of Bangladesh’s agenda at COP31, seeking greater climate adaptation funding, debt relief, technology transfer and a fair transition to renewable energy to protect vulnerable countries from the mounting impacts of climate change.
Highlighting the financial constraints facing developing nations, he called for at least half of international climate finance to be directed towards adaptation, alongside measures to ease debt burdens and ensure affordable access to climate-friendly technologies.
Addressing the High-Level Segment of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Ankara on Thursday, the Prime Minister said the existing global climate finance system remained inadequate and failed to reflect the needs and priorities of developing countries.
“Climate-vulnerable countries need grants, not more loans that increase their debt. They also need reliable financial support, access to modern technology, and stronger support for adaptation,” he said.
Tarique Rahman pointed out that countries with relatively low greenhouse gas emissions were bearing a disproportionate share of the consequences of climate change.
Bangladesh, he said, was on the frontline of the climate crisis despite contributing less than 0.5 per cent of global emissions.
“Despite these challenges, we remain committed to building a trillion-dollar climate-resilient and sustainable economy guided by our philosophy of Bangladesh before all,” he said.
The Prime Minister stressed that economic growth and environmental protection should go hand in hand, maintaining that industrialisation and development must safeguard nature and preserve ecological balance.
Outlining Bangladesh’s domestic climate commitments, he said the government had set a target of meeting 20 per cent of the country’s electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030 as part of its efforts to achieve net-zero emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.
The government was working to develop 4,000 megawatt-peak of solar power capacity, backed by special tax incentives, while also promoting waste-to-energy projects, he added.
Highlighting progress in green industrialisation, Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh had nearly 290 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified ready-made garment factories.
He also mentioned initiatives to encourage electric vehicles, promote environmentally friendly products such as jute bags and establish a national framework for carbon trading.
On broader environmental protection and climate adaptation, the Prime Minister said the government planned to plant 250 million trees over the next five years.
It was also undertaking programmes to excavate 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals, alongside the Padma Barrage and the Teesta Barrage Master Plan.
These initiatives aim to improve water retention, reduce flood risks, restore wetlands and replenish groundwater, he said.
He further highlighted mangrove restoration on reclaimed coastal land as an important measure to protect vulnerable communities and strengthen the country’s resilience to climate-related disasters.
Turning to the international financing gap, Tarique Rahman said climate-induced losses and damages were placing increasing pressure on national economies.
The situation was being compounded by rising debt-servicing obligations and limited financial resources, particularly in developing countries.
Invoking the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, he outlined five proposals for global action.
First, he called for at least 50 per cent of international climate finance to be allocated to adaptation, based on individual countries’ priorities, while maintaining support for emissions reduction.
Second, he proposed debt-relief measures for vulnerable countries, including debt-for-climate swaps and climate-resilience debt clauses.
Third, he urged developed countries to ensure fair access to climate-friendly technologies and facilitate their transfer to developing nations.
Fourth, he called for a faster transition to renewable energy, supported by affordable financing, skills development and measures to ensure a fair energy transition.
Finally, he proposed adopting the Belem-Antalya Action Mechanism for a just transition at COP31, with fair financing and fair trade as its central principles.
The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of ensuring meaningful participation by women and young people in climate action, creating decent green jobs and reducing global emissions to keep the 1.5-degree Celsius temperature target within reach.
“We must also ensure that women and young people take part in climate action. We must create decent green jobs and reduce global emissions to keep the 1.5 global within reach,” he said.
Expressing optimism about the conference, Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh expected COP31 to produce meaningful, balanced and ambitious outcomes, particularly for countries most exposed to climate risks.
“Let us turn our commitments into action. Let us strengthen global solidarity and build a sustainable future together,” he said.
He thanked the Turkish government for hosting COP31 and Australia for leading the negotiations, expressing Bangladesh’s hope for a successful outcome.