Bangladesh can use Denmark's expertise

Bangladesh can greatly benefit from Denmark's expertise in green technology which has made it one of the best countries maintaining green economy, said Bangladesh ambassador to Denmark.

Green technology is defined as technology that is energy efficient and environment friendly. Green economy is the economy that aims at reducing environment risk while achieving sustainable development.

“Denmark has expertise in green issues. By 2050, the country will completely rely on renewable energy,” Ambassador Muhammad A Muhith told a group of visiting Bangladeshi journalists in Copenhagen recently.

Today, almost half of Denmark's total energy supply to electricity, industry and transport sectors comes from windmills. Besides, over 40 percent of its people use bicycles on its long cycle tracks.

“You will also see drivers stopping vehicle engines whenever they have to wait at traffic signals,” said Muhith. And again, the cities in Denmark recycle used water, and have rainwater for drinking.

These are some examples of Denmark's commitment to ending its dependence on fossil fuels that emit carbon, even though the country is not much affected by climate change, said the ambassador.

Carbon emission is considered the main reason behind climate change.

As Bangladesh is one of the worst victims of climate change, with its energy efficiency and water management system being the major issues, cooperation between the two countries can result in sustainable solutions, he said.

Delegations from both sides have recently visited each other's countries over the matter, said Muhith, who was posted to the newly established Bangladesh embassy in Copenhagen in the middle of last year.

The two countries have an annual trade of $800 millions, and 90 percent of it comes from Bangladesh's export of readymade garments to Denmark.

“As non-traditional items, we are trying to promote export of our pharmaceutical and ceramic products, leather and jute goods to Denmark,” said Muhith.  With trade staying at its place, the most excited thing in green technology can happen through cooperation between the two countries, he added. 

Denmark is one of the very few developed countries that are keeping their promise of donating 0.7 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) to the developing world.

“We also have Denmark by our side in the global negotiations on climate change,” the diplomat said and termed the Nordic country a trusted friend of Bangladesh.

He said Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Annisul Huq would attend the Global Green Growth Forum in Copenhagen scheduled for this June.

The forum would explore and demonstrate better collaboration and partnerships among leading businesses, investors and key public institutions that can lead to new models of inclusive and sustainable growth for all.

Muhith, who is also responsible for maintaining Bangladesh's diplomatic relations with Estonia and Iceland, said all these European countries are equipped with high-end green technologies in their business operations and it can be of great interest for Bangladesh, a country that is bracing digitalisation.

Iceland has expertise in fishing in the deep sea and marine resources management, and Bangladesh, having a huge maritime boundary, can surely learn from Iceland, he added.