BM Report:
To save the world from the impact of climate change and to keep the global temperature within 1.5 degrees Celsius, investments in fossil fuel-based energy must be stopped by 2025, said Prime Minister’s Environment and Climate Change Affairs special envoy, Saber Hossain Chowdhury.
The special envoy also said, “This is on his speech as chief guest in a day-long workshop titled ‘COP28 Influencing Arbitrations: Multi-Stakeholder Preparatory Workshop’ organized by Oxfam in Bangladesh on Saturday, which aimed to Bangladesh’s opportunity in the upcoming global climate conference of parties (COP28).”
Saber Hossain, president of the parliamentary standing committee related to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change, said, ‘Fossil fuel phase-out is a must to keep the global temperature below 1.5 degrees. It requires the elimination of fossil fuel use and investment in fossil fuel-based energy by 2025. If we can’t agree on this, we will greatly impact our climate adaptation. Already seeing what 1.1°C global warming is doing to us (climate-related vulnerabilities).’
Mr. Saber also said, ‘Our adaptation costs are increasing every year. Last year, we gave $3.4 million to ourselves. It is increasing every year. Also, we talk about climate funds. There is talk of $100 billion in climate funds, which Bangladesh and other affected countries will get. But this number is completely political, it is important to determine it scientifically.’
Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary, MP, participated in this day-long workshop as a special guest. In the closing ceremony, he discussed Bangladesh’s priorities and plans at COP28, particularly the importance of global stocktake, fossil fuel phase-out, renewable fuel, or just energy transition. Also discussed at COP28 is how civil society organizations can contribute to this process as supporters of governments.
Among others, Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change; Mohamamd Iftekhar Hossain, Joint Secretary to the Government of Bangladesh; Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed, Deputy Managing Director of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF); various government agencies; development and human rights organizations; climate experts; academics; and media workers took part in the program.
