Climate-Vulnerable Nations Deserve Grants, Not Loans: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman has called for five urgent steps to protect the interests of climate vulnerable countries. He spoke at the high level session of the UN climate change conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkey. He also strongly urged the international community to give grants to these countries instead of adding new debt burdens.

The Prime Minister said this in his speech at the main session of COP31 in Antalya yesterday, Thursday. He told world leaders that, under the “Bangladesh First” philosophy, the Bangladesh government is committed to building a one trillion dollar climate resilient and sustainable economy. He thanked Turkey for hosting COP31 and Australia for leading the negotiations.

He said Bangladesh is on the front line of climate change, yet its share of global greenhouse gas emissions is less than 0.5 percent. He called the current global climate finance system inadequate. He said climate related losses put a heavy burden on the country’s economy and make rising debt payments harder. So climate vulnerable countries need reliable financial support, modern technology and grants.

The Prime Minister also spoke about Bangladesh’s own plans. To reach “net zero” emissions in line with the Paris Agreement, the government has set a target to meet 20 percent of power demand from renewable sources by 2030. Through special tax incentives, it has moved to produce 4,000 megawatts of solar power and to make energy from waste.

He said a national framework is being built for green industry, including about 300 LEED certified garment factories, electric vehicles, promotion of jute products and carbon trading. The government also plans to plant 25 crore trees in the next 5 years. It is running the Padma and Teesta barrage master plans and dredging 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals, and mangrove planting is under way on coastal reclaimed land.

At the end of his speech, the Prime Minister stressed three things. They are limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, ensuring the participation of women and young people in climate action and creating decent green jobs. He expects COP31 to deliver meaningful and balanced results for climate vulnerable countries.

He put the Bangladesh government’s position on global warming and the climate crisis before world leaders. He proposed five urgent steps, based on the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.” First, he asked that at least 50 percent of international climate finance go to adaptation, based on each country’s priorities, along with support for emission reduction efforts.

Second, he asked for emergency debt relief for climate vulnerable countries, including a “climate resilient debt clause” and a “debt for climate swap,” which waives debt in return for climate protection. Third, he asked for fair access to green climate technology and the support needed to transfer it to developing countries. Fourth, he asked to speed up the shift to renewable energy through affordable finance, skills development and a just energy transition.

Fifth, he asked COP31 to adopt the “Belem Antalya Action Mechanism” for a just energy transition, based on fair finance and fair trade.

On the sidelines of the conference yesterday, Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman held a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Mr. Anthony Albanese. Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Hasan Shiplu said they discussed tackling climate change, more Australian investment in Bangladesh, agriculture development and Rohingya repatriation. The two leaders invited each other to visit their countries and hoped to do so at a convenient time.

In another sideline meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Mr. Ed Miliband, the Prime Minister sought British cooperation for Bangladesh’s adaptation work. He spoke of the pressure the Rohingya crisis puts on Bangladesh’s economy, society and environment. He expects a more active British diplomatic role in the safe and dignified return of the Rohingya to Myanmar.

On Thursday, the Prime Minister visited Bangladesh’s “Jute Pavilion” in the COP31 Green Zone. He toured 129 eco friendly jute products on display, including bags, shoes and blazers. He talked with a group of students from the University of Chicago in the United States and urged everyone to work together for a healthy planet.

Foreign Minister Mr. Khalilur Rahman, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Mr. Abdul Awal Minto and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms. Shama Obaed Islam were present. Mr. Humayun Kabir and State Minister for Environment Mr. Sheikh Faridul Islam were also there.

Earlier, on Wednesday evening, the Prime Minister attended a dinner hosted by Turkish President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan and First Lady Ms. Emine Erdogan. His wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, joined him. He exchanged greetings with world leaders there.

After a three day official visit and COP31, Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman and his delegation left Antalya on a Turkish Airlines flight at 4:30 PM local time on Thursday. Turkish Foreign Ministry Senior Ambassador Mr. Subutay Yuksel bid him farewell at the airport. After a stopover in Istanbul, he is due to land at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 6 AM today, Friday.