Govt launches roadmap to curb greenhouse emission

With an aim to reducing emissions of greenhouse gas as promised to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2015, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change yesterday launched a roadmap and action plan for power, transport and industry sectors for the coming years.

Bangladesh in its Nationally Determined Contributions submitted to UNFCCC in September 2015 committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the power, industry and transport sectors by five percent below "business-as-usual" emission levels by 2030 unilaterally, and up to 15 percent if sufficient and appropriate support is received from developed countries.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin launched the "Roadmap and Action Plan" at an event at the capital's Cirdap.

Speakers said good governance and coordination among all stakeholders including government sectors, private sector and civil society are keys to reducing greenhouse gas emission.

The roadmap covers the period 2016 to 2025, with a focus on the period up to 2020. It will be updated from time to time and more sectors will be included.

Secretary to the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Abdullah Al Mohsin Chowdhury said the country is lagging behind in capacity-building, and that is why it is not getting access to international funds.

Mohsin said there are 17 ministries and 86 departments linked to greenhouse gas emissions. “We will add more ministries in future.”

Asking government officials to work diligently, Environment Minister Shahab Uddin said if they work properly, the country will be able to cope up with the loss that has been caused due to climate change.

Joint Secretary of Power Division Mohammad Alauddin laid emphasis on solar energy.