Dhaka, October 26, 2024
As the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan approaches, civil society organizations in Dhaka emphasized the urgent need to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius. Speaking at a seminar organized by local NGOs, experts warned that if global temperatures rise beyond this threshold by 2100, the Earth would become uninhabitable, rendering any climate finance efforts ineffective.
The seminar, held at the CIRDAP Auditorium on Topkhana Road and organized by EquityBD, featured a range of speakers, including representatives from the Ministry of Environment, PKSF, CPRD, CSR, and several other NGOs. The seminar was moderated by Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Chief Moderator of EquityBD.
Participants stressed that the primary focus of the upcoming COP29 should be on reducing carbon emissions by 42% from 2019 levels by 2030. This, they said, is essential to keeping global temperature rise between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.
Climate Finance and Its Challenges
Mr. Shamsuddoha from CPRD, a member of the government’s COP delegation, pointed out that there is no clear definition of climate finance. Wealthy nations, responsible for much of the emissions, often categorize loans and investments as climate finance, effectively profiting off the aid they provide to vulnerable countries. He stressed that financial assistance should be channeled through the United Nations, rather than international financial institutions like the World Bank, to avoid turning aid into debt.
Policy and Implementation Hurdles
Dharitri Kumar Sarkar, a representative from the Ministry of Environment, shared that Bangladesh’s COP29 position paper would incorporate the recommendations discussed during the seminar. However, he highlighted a major challenge: decisions at climate summits require unanimous agreement from all 128 member states, making rapid decision-making difficult.
Dr. Fazle Rabbi from PKSF noted that less than 1% of the promised funds for climate adaptation and mitigation had reached vulnerable countries. Even when funds are available, infrastructural and policy challenges often hinder effective utilization.
Emission Reduction and the Threat of Global Warming
Mr. Ziaul Haq Mukta from CSRL stated that even if all countries fulfill their pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, global temperatures are still projected to rise by 3.1 degrees Celsius by 2100. This, he warned, would lead to catastrophic consequences, underscoring the need to keep warming below 2 degrees Celsius by achieving the 42% reduction target by 2030—a target that seems increasingly unlikely.
Calls for Equitable Climate Finance
Presenting the keynote, Mr. M.A. Hasan from Coast Foundation urged the government to oppose any conditions imposed on financial aid for vulnerable countries. He emphasized that the upcoming COP29 discussions must be demand-driven and realistic, with recipient countries clearly articulating their needs.
Syed Aminul Haque from Coast Foundation highlighted the need for a new global financial framework to make climate finance results-oriented, warning that the current structure is inadequate.
Concluding the seminar, moderator Rezaul Karim Chowdhury stressed that at least 75% of climate finance should be managed under the UNFCCC to minimize profit-driven practices. He warned that the more funds are handled outside of the UN framework, the greater the likelihood of commercial interests overshadowing genuine climate action.