Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser for the environment, forests, and climate change, called on the world community to respect the Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) principle today. “Delaying action until after 2030 is not an option. To keep the 1.5oC goal within reach, developed nations must rapidly scale up mitigation efforts and fulfill their commitments under the Paris Agreement,” she said. According to a message received here, the Environment Advisor made this statement during the 2024 Annual High-Level Ministerial Round Table on Pre-2030 Ambition at COP29, which was hosted in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
Speaking on behalf of one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, she highlighted the need for swift international action to combat the growing climate crisis.
She said that rising sea levels, stronger cyclones, unpredictable rainfall, and saline intrusion are just a few of the terrible realities of climate change that Bangladesh must deal with on a daily basis. “This year alone, two catastrophic floods caused US$1.7 billion in damages-equivalent to 1.8 percent of the national budget. Over the past 18 months, the country has endured 15 climate-induced disasters, leaving 1.2 million people waterlogged. Despite contributing less than 0.4 percent to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Bangladesh bears a disproportionate share of the consequences,” Rizwana said.
She reaffirmed Bangladesh’s pledge to cut GHG emissions by 22% by 2030, with a target of 27 million tonnes to be cut unconditionally and 61 million tonnes to be cut conditionally.She noted that $135 billion in foreign funding and $45 billion in domestic resources will be needed to meet these targets.
“Even the smallest degree counts. Every day counts. The adviser stated, “Let us leave COP29 with more than just words, but with a renewed commitment to pre-2030 ambition—actions that protect lives and futures around the world.”
Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, the Nepali Minister for Forest and Environment, and the environment adviser had already met bilaterally on the fringes of the COP29. She reaffirmed Bangladesh’s pledge to cut GHG emissions by 22% by 2030, with a target of 27 million tonnes to be cut unconditionally and 61 million tonnes to be cut conditionally.She noted that $135 billion in foreign funding and $45 billion in domestic resources will be needed to meet these targets.
Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, the Nepali Minister for Forest and Environment, and the environment adviser had already met bilaterally on the fringes of the COP29.
Both leaders discussed ways to improve regional collaboration in climate resilience during the discussion, with an emphasis on their common experiences in reducing the effects of climate change in South Asia.Nepal is interested in giving Bangladesh more hydropower, according to Rizwana.
She also emphasised the importance of collaborating with South Asian nations on loss and damage.The adviser then participated in a talk in the Bangladesh Pavilion on “Loss and Damage Assessment and Accessing International Climate Finance” as the main guest.
