State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, MP, urged developed countries to fulfil their climate finance commitments through grants rather than loans and called for a coordinated national position ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP31.
She made the remarks as the chief guest at a national dialogue titled "People-Led Policy: Bangladesh Position at COP31", held at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka on Saturday. 33 national and international organisations working on climate change in Bangladesh jointly organised the event and invited her to attend. According to the press release, the dialogue presented a civil society position paper's demands and recommendations.
The state minister said the government, private sector, civil society and experts must work together to narrow the gap between Bangladesh's expectations and outcomes in international climate negotiations. She added that climate finance should help vulnerable communities address climate impacts without increasing their debt burden.
She stressed the need to assess progress in implementing the Paris Agreement alongside countries' commitments. Bangladesh needs adequate financing to address climate impacts, with equal attention to adaptation and mitigation and greater transparency in international negotiations.
Shama Obaed said initiatives were underway to strengthen coordination between the foreign affairs and environment ministries. She also said she wanted to involve young people working on climate issues in the process.
She highlighted plans to showcase Bangladesh's environmentally friendly jute products at COP31 through a dedicated Jute Pavilion. The initiative could expand international markets for jute products and create opportunities to improve rural farmers' livelihoods.
Mirza Shawkat Ali, director of climate change and international convention at the Department of Environment, attended as a special guest. He said initiatives were underway to reduce industrial emissions and emphasised that credible evidence and specific plans were essential to presenting Bangladesh's demands effectively in international negotiations.
Delivering the welcome address, Dr SM Munjurul Hannan Khan, executive director of Nature Conservation Management, highlighted the need for coordinated planning on climate finance, the blue economy, waste management and urban heat stress.
Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh and moderator of the dialogue, called for collective action to secure climate finance through grants.
In her concluding remarks, she said Bangladesh bore a disproportionate share of the burden of climate change. She added that international climate conferences needed united efforts to secure grants rather than loans.
Financing needs and a just transition
Presentations at the dialogue examined six key areas of climate action, including Bangladesh's financing requirements, emissions reduction, adaptation and a just energy transition.
According to figures presented at the event, Bangladesh's updated Nationally Determined Contribution, known as NDC 3.0, sets a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20.31%, equivalent to 84.97 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, by 2035.
Implementing the 2026–2035 plan is estimated to require $116.18 billion, including $90.23 billion in international support. The National Adaptation Plan for 2023–2050 identifies 113 initiatives requiring about $230 billion.
Roufa Khanum of the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research presented figures on global emissions and Bangladesh's climate risks.
Professor Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, chairman of the Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies, emphasised improved waste management and measures to reduce air pollution and industrial emissions.
Mahzabeen Mahfuz of ActionAid Bangladesh discussed a just energy transition, while Chowdhury Abrar Zahin and Helena Khatun addressed marine resources and international finance.
Representing young people, Shohail Bin Saifullah presented six demands covering climate finance, education, employment, gender justice and meaningful youth participation in decision-making.
The discussion also highlighted the need to ensure climate finance reaches affected communities and that displaced people receive resettlement support. Participants called for the meaningful inclusion of women, persons with disabilities and marginalised groups in climate decision-making.
Key demands of the civil society position paper
- Climate finance through grants: International climate finance, including support for implementing NDC 3.0, must be debt-free and provided through grants rather than loans.
- A coordinated national position: The government, civil society, young people and the private sector must coordinate their positions in international climate negotiations.
- Support for green innovation: Bangladesh's environmentally friendly domestic products, including jute, should be showcased at COP31.
- Action on industrial emissions and air pollution: Measures must reduce industrial emissions while ensuring a just energy transition that protects workers.
- Meaningful participation: Women, young people and climate-affected communities must have meaningful roles in climate policymaking and national delegations.
- A response to the urban climate crisis: Adequate financing must be secured for safe housing for climate migrants, improved waste management and measures to address extreme urban heat.
A coalition of 33 platforms representing civil society, international NGOs, academic and research institutions, and young people in Bangladesh developed the national position paper.