Allocate 2pc of GDP for climate resilience

Civil society groups have demanded that two percent of the country's GDP be allocated to fight the impacts of climate change. They made the demand in a seminar titled "Adequate Climate Financing for Sustainable Economic Development".

The seminar was organised by Coast Foundation, Centre for Participatory Research and Development and Coastal Development Partnership at Cirdap yesterday.

Coast Director Aminul Hoque said the allocated Tk 30,531 crore as the climate budget is unable to fight the impacts of climate change. All the climate resilience plans prepared by the government require around 2.20 percent of the GDP to be implemented.

"But the current allocation is only 0.69 percent," he said.

Dhirendra Debnath Shambhu, MP and chair of standing committee on ministry of livestock, said, "If coastal people are not protected, all the development will fall flat."

Sharif Jamil, general secretary of Bapa, said the impact of climate change has become more widespread than ever, and the ongoing flood is proof of that.