Bangladesh, in a bid to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 12 by 2030, is aiming to develop a 10-year sustainable consumption and production framework by 2020.
The framework will help promote green growth and sustainable development and advocate circular economy in Bangladesh.
Dr. Shamsul Alam, Member (Senior Secretary) of the General Economic Division of the Planning Commission, pointed out, “We did not know much about sustainable consumption and production and SDG 12. There were no readily available baseline and indicators for setting Programme of Action on SCP.”
He was speaking as the chief guest at an expert-level validation consultation organised by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Action Aid in association with the General Economic Division (GED) on 25 November, 2018 at the planning commission to finalise the road map for developing the framework. The first consultation had started on 8 January, 2018.
“Already, we are 3 years late to make a framework on SCP. We should start it very soon,” Alam added pointing out that they were looking forward to develop the framework with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and UNDP’s technical assistance.
MoEFCC Additional Secretary Dr. S.M. Munjurul Hannan Khan stressed on SCP issues as it is vital to attain most of SDGs. “Human footprint is very hostile to nature and we have to stop destruction of the planet. Consumption and production have huge ecological impacts.”
UNDP’s Chief Technical Advisor for engaging institutions, Fakrul Ahsan suggested involving the private sector more in SCP. “We should introduce incentives and rewards system for technological changes and innovations to reduce consumption and production pattern.”
Dr Aminul Islam, UNDP Consultant gave an overview of the guideline for preparing 10-year SCP framework.
Khurshid Alam, Assistant Country Director of UNDP, Feroza Begum, Chief of GED, Salima Jahan, Member, Renewable Energy Programme of SERDA, and other experts and participants also spoke in the consultation.
