Govt’s decision to discard 10 coal-fired plants is laudable

We welcome the prime minister's approval of the proposal to scrap 10 coal-fired power plants. It is definitely a step in the right direction and in alignment with the commitments that are expected in the Leaders Summit on Climate 2021 in November, to dramatically reduce fossil fuel emissions that cause global warming and the irreversible damage caused by climate change. The 10 discarded projects are among the 18-planned coal-fired power plants that were approved after 2008.

Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon has welcomed the move to do away with these projects that would have significantly contributed to increased fossil fuel emissions. They have said that "it is a big step towards achieving the goal of sustainable development". The organisation has, however, demanded that the government further moves to scrap all coal-fired power plants in phases.

This brings us to a more crucial and uncomfortable question: is Bangladesh scrapping the coal-fired plants because they are environmentally harmful or because—as the state minister has been quoted to have said in a DS report—because of the power and energy ministry's proposal to scrap the projects as the construction work made no progress in years?

The state minister has further said that the government is planning to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) and petroleum to generate power. According to environment experts, LNG and petroleum will have adverse effects on the environment, which contradicts the commitment to reduce dirty energy. Moving towards renewable energy is the only logical course but it remains to be seen whether our government is serious about such a transition.

Construction of the Rampal Power Plant is still going on in full swing despite protests by environmental activists against the possible irreversible damage that it may cause to the Sundarbans, home to one of the biggest mangrove forest that acts as a buffer against cyclones, tsunamis and storms and is the natural habitat of many endangered species such as the Royal Bengal Tiger. According to a 2016 UNESCO report, the coal-fired power station which would be only 14km north of the Sundarbans would cause significant damage to the mangrove forest. There are around 150 other industrial projects that also endanger the forest.

Switching to renewable energy is expensive and time-consuming but this is the only way to go if we are to save the planet. This is what countries all over the world have realised and many have made commitments to move away from fossil fuels and towards renewables. While Bangladesh may prioritise meeting its need for power, it cannot be at the cost of the environment. Bangladesh, which will lead the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) at the COP 26 in Glasgow this year with our prime minister as its chairperson, must take serious steps to promote renewable energy such as solar and wind power while phasing out all coal-fired plants. Bangladesh must serve as an example to the world and prove that it practices what it preaches.