Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given four suggestions to world leaders on tackling climate change. The recommendations are to reduce carbon emissions, ensure 100 billion a year in funding for climate mitigation and rehabilitation, and focus more on environmentally friendly technologies.
The Prime Minister made the remarks in a video message at the inaugural session of the two-day Leaders Summit on Climate, hosted by US President Joe Biden, on Thursday (April 22).
Stressing on the need for concerted efforts to address climate issues, Sheikh Hasina said the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us that only a strong concerted effort can tackle the global crisis.
The Prime Minister said as the President of Climate Vulnerable Forum-CVF (Climate Vulnerable Forum) and V20 (Vulnerable Twenty), the main goal of Bangladesh is to uphold the interests of the countries at risk of climate change.
Thanking US President Joe Biden for hosting the conference, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh appreciated the US interest in returning to the Paris Climate Agreement and engaging the international community in it.
Noting Bangladesh's success in adaptation and mitigation in the world, despite being a climate-affected country with limited resources, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh spends 5 billion every year on climate adaptation and building sustainable infrastructure which is 2.5 percent of our GDP.
She said developed countries need to adopt immediate and ambitious action plans to reduce carbon emissions to keep global temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius, and developing countries need to focus on mitigation measures. In addition, an annual target of 100 million will be secured and 50 percent of the funds will be used for adaptation and 50 percent mitigation by paying special attention to the communities affected by climate change.
Calling on the major economies, international financial institutions and the private sector to come forward in innovation and climate financing, the Prime Minister said there was a need to shift to green economy and carbon neutral technology.
"The Covid-19 pandemic reminds us that the global crisis can only be tackled through concerted action," she said.
At the time, the Prime Minister highlighted the issue of 1.1 million Rohingya people deported from Myanmar to Bangladesh and the resulting environmental damage.
Besides, Bangladesh is celebrating Mujib Year on the occasion of the golden jubilee of independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu, Sheikh Hasina said, adding that the Bangladesh government has taken initiative to plant 30 million trees across the country in Mujib year.