Dhaka: The Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today launched a new initiative to support Bangladesh’s transition toward a more sustainable, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient urban development. The five-year initiative, titled ‘Promoting Energy-Related Low Carbon Urban Development (LCUD) in Bangladesh,’ is supported by a US$ 3.7 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the project will promote renewable energy adoption, energy-efficient infrastructure, and low-carbon urban planning solutions to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Bangladesh’s rapidly growing cities. This will be achieved through the development of investment-grade projects, interaction between public and private stakeholders, and awareness raising among city dwellers.
Attending the event at the Bidyut Bhaban as the Chief Guest, K M Ali Reza, Additional Secretary representing the Secretary of the Power Division, stated that dependence on imported fuel remains a major challenge to energy sovereignty. He emphasized the importance of energy efficiency and called for the development of investment-grade projects supported by scalable and sustainable business models with strong financial linkages, as noted in an UNDP press release.
Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP, highlighted the importance of the partnership, stating that urbanization presents both a major challenge and a significant opportunity for climate action. She remarked that the LCUD project reflects a strong partnership between the government, development partners, and the private sector to mobilize investment in practical low-carbon solutions. Its success will depend on a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
Muzaffar Ahmed, Chairman of SREDA under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, expressed that SREDA envisions the LCUD Project as a practical, result-oriented, and investment-focused initiative. Success relies on strong cooperation among government agencies, city corporations, and the private sector to unlock both the environmental and economic benefits of renewable energy. He further stated that the LCUD Project can become an effective and replicable model for Bangladesh.
Among others, Engr. Md. Muzibur Rahman, Director of SREDA and Project Director of LCUD, and Sarder M Asaduzzaman, Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, also spoke at the event.
With rapid urbanization increasing pressure on energy systems and the environment, the LCUD project aims to support a more sustainable and low-carbon future for Bangladesh’s cities. The initiative will promote investments in energy-efficient buildings, rooftop solar power, and waste-to-energy solutions in key urban areas, including Dhaka and Chittagong. The project is expected to reduce more than 1.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over its lifetime while contributing to Bangladesh’s national climate goals.