UK, Bangladesh can lead global climate change efforts: envoy

The UK wants to build a strong partnership with Bangladesh to lead global efforts to tackle climate change, British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson said at a discussion at his residence yesterday evening.

The discussion was held to convey the UK’s plans for this year’s UN Climate Change Conference 26 (COP26), to be held in November this year. The UK will host the conference in partnership with Italy.

“With the combined expertise and leadership of the two countries, the UK and Bangladesh can raise the world’s ambition [regarding climate change] before and during COP26, seeking global commitment on adapting to climate impacts and building resilience for the future,” Chatterton said.

More than 30,000 people are expected to attend COP26, including  heads of state and government, experts, and activists. Delegates will focus on efforts to  keep global temperatures below 1.5 degrees of warming.

Asked how the UK can play a strong role after leaving the European Union, DFID country head for Bangladesh Judith Herbertson said Brexit doesn’t mean UK will come out of all policies it maintained as part of  EU.

Actionaid Country Director Farah Kabir said  though Bangladesh is not a big remitter of CO2, it should not continue using fuel sources that contribute to climate change, and that it is time for the country to find alternative energy  sources.

Economic Relations Division  Additional Secretary Sultana Afroz said it is important for development partners to keep in mind that climate finance should be  kept separate from regular development assistance as Bangladesh is a  climate vulnerable country.

While the UK is gearing  up for the presidency of COP26, Bangladesh is advancing its preparation  to lead the Climate Vulnerable Forum and the Locally-Led Adaptation  Action Track of the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA).

Since 2008, the two countries have jointly helped over  27 million people gain access to disaster warning systems, and provided emergency assistance and recovery support to more than 900,000 people.