Net zero emission target false, elusive

Civil society groups termed COP26 outcome frustrating, as there was no concrete decision to finance the most vulnerable countries (MVCs), especially for adaptation and loss-and-damage due to climate change.

They called for the government to develop country-owned long-term financial strategies to support climate actions at a webinar yesterday.

COAST foundation, Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples' Network on Climate Change (BIPNET-CCDB), Centre for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD), Coastal Development Partnership (CDP), Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) and Equity and Justice Working Group, Bangladesh (EquityBD) jointly organised the programme.

Syed Aminul Hoque of EquityBD condemned the UK's position for the so-called "Net Zero Emission" target by 2050, which supports the big emitters to continue their carbon emission instead of the "Zero Emission" target.

Prof Mostafa Saroar of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology said that "Net Zero Emission" is a move towards carbon colonialism.

"This target is false and elusive," he added.

Climate negotiator Quamrul Islam Chowdhury criticised the developed countries' initiative of "New collective and quantified goal on finance (NCQG)", where there was no representative from the most vulnerable countries (MVCs) to finalise the process.

"The developed countries have denied their responsibilities by deferring the $100 billion promise by 2023. This is completely unacceptable," said Shamim Arefin of AoSED-Khulna.

Sharif Jamil of Bangladesh Poribesh Anolon suggested solving the domestic problems to move towards effective carbon reduction strategies with alternative energy techniques.

"Our government should be inclusive in future if we want to achieve the negotiation power to achieve the target successfully," said lawmaker Shamim Haider Patwary.