Waving banners, festoons and placards under the scorching afternoon heat, hundreds of young climate activists gathered in front of the National Press Club on Thursday, demanding an urgent transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy and a clear roadmap for generating 10,000MW of solar power by 2030.
The protest was held as part of the Global Climate Strike organised by YouthNet Global and Youth4NDCs, with similar programmes taking place simultaneously in 50 districts across the country.
More than 200 young people joined the rally, chanting slogans against imported LNG and calling for a stronger renewable energy target in the upcoming Energy and Power Sector Master Plan (EPSMP).
The demonstrators warned that Bangladesh’s continued dependence on imported oil, gas and coal is increasing electricity costs, worsening economic pressure on ordinary people and undermining national energy security.
Addressing the programme, Sohanur Rahman said Bangladesh cannot achieve climate justice while remaining trapped in fossil fuel dependence.
“Every new LNG import deal increases pressure on ordinary people and deepens our vulnerability to global instability,” he said.
“We cannot build a safe future while depending on expensive imported fuels. Young people are demanding a just transition powered by renewable energy where electricity is affordable, locally generated and sustainable,” he added.
He called on the government to substantially raise the proportion of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix and include a time-bound plan for at least 10,000MW of solar power by 2030.
The demonstrators also cautioned that the nation’s rising reliance on imported fuel is driving up the cost of energy and severely straining the finances of low-income families.
They claimed that the dangers of heavily depending on LNG and imported fossil fuels have been made clear by growing global fuel prices, geopolitical unrest, and international conflicts.
According to Amanullah Porag, Bangladesh can no longer bear the financial strain brought on by the volatility of the world gasoline market.
“Our economy is suffering from rising fuel and electricity costs. Survival is becoming more expensive every day. We need affordable energy and an immediate transition towards renewable energy,” he said.
The activists alleged that despite repeated government commitments, renewable energy expansion in Bangladesh continues to face major implementation gaps, policy uncertainty and investment bottlenecks.
They pointed out that the government’s earlier target of generating 3,300MW of rooftop solar power from public buildings by December 2025 has yet to materialise.
The youths also criticised high taxes on solar equipment and delays in project approvals, saying these barriers are slowing the country’s clean energy transition.
They demanded immediate removal of tax barriers on solar technology, faster implementation of renewable energy projects and stronger coordination among relevant government agencies.
Speakers at the programme stressed that reducing carbon emissions is no longer optional for Bangladesh as one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries.
They also called on developed nations to fulfil their climate finance commitments and provide greater support for renewable energy transitions in vulnerable countries like Bangladesh.
Expressing solidarity with the movement, Shafiqul Alam said renewable energy is now essential for ensuring both a liveable planet and Bangladesh’s future energy security.
He welcomed government initiatives to expand renewable energy but stressed that strong monitoring and implementation mechanisms are needed to ensure those commitments become reality.
Meanwhile, Sharif Jamil said the transition away from fossil fuels is now directly linked to Bangladesh’s independence and long-term stability.
“With global unrest and disruptions in fuel supply chains, expanding solar and wind energy has become a matter of national security,” he said.
Additionally, he asked the government to develop large-scale solar energy projects on land that was formerly utilized for coal and gas-based power facilities.
At the end of the demonstration, demonstrators chanted “energy sovereignty” and warned that Bangladesh cannot afford to wait much longer to transition to a future powered by renewable energy.
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