Baku: Adviser to the interim government on environment, forests and climate change, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, has called for timely and equitable financial and technological support to aid Bangladesh’s transition to renewable energy. Addressing a sideline event titled ‘Road to Net Zero: Navigating the Energy Transition in South Asia’ at the World Bank-IMF Pavilion during the World Climate Conference (COP-29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, Rizwana emphasized the country’s commitment to generating 40 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2041. She noted that the interim government is actively revisiting current energy policies to ensure sustainability and sovereignty.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizwana discussed the importance of reducing reliance on imported solar panels by inviting China to relocate some of its solar manufacturing facilities to Bangladesh. She also mentioned that the government is reviewing policies on solar energy, including high taxes, and exploring the potential of rooftop solar
installations on high-rise buildings and unused government or tea estate lands.
In another event organized by the UNFCCC, Rizwana stated that implementing Bangladesh’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) would require US$176 billion by 2030, with US$32 billion needed for unconditional actions. She highlighted that the remaining amount depends on international support, especially through mechanisms like Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which facilitates cooperation among countries through carbon markets. Bangladesh is preparing to submit its NDC 3.0 next year.
The environment adviser also stressed the importance of partnerships with Germany and other global leaders in de-carbonizing key industries such as steel and cement. She underscored Bangladesh’s vision of ‘three zeros’-zero carbon emission, zero poverty, and zero unemployment-drawing inspiration from Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus.
Rizwana also requested Germany’s assistance in cleaning rivers in Bangladesh and emphasized the n
eed for integrated natural resource management alongside carbon reduction. She invited global stakeholders to an international climate finance conference to be held in Bangladesh in March 2025, urging support for the capacity building of young climate activists.
Later, she participated in a session organized by the Ministry of Environment of Japan on ‘Article 6 Implementation Partnership’ at Japan Pavilion, focusing on market-based approaches for reducing emissions. Rizwana sought Japan’s support in capacity building, technology transfer, and investments.