Dhaka: German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Rdiger Lotz has called for a comprehensive societal approach to support Bangladesh's long-term low-carbon and climate-resilient development. He emphasized the necessity for collaboration among government, businesses, communities, and young people to shape the nation's future.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Dr. Lotz articulated these views during the "University Dialogue on People-led LT-LEDS: Bangladesh's Low Carbon Future" at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) on Monday. Organized by Youth for NDCs and supported by the German Embassy in Dhaka, with DSS as the campus partner, the event highlighted the increasing energy demands of Bangladesh's growing economy and the risks posed by reliance on external energy sources.
Dr. Lotz stressed the importance of involving young people centrally in the process of developing Bangladesh's energy transition strategies, such as rooftop solar energy. He underscored the need for climate education and capacity building to begin at schools and local levels, given that young people will face the long-term consequences of current decisions.
The Ambassador noted Bangladesh's minimal historical responsibility for climate change, despite facing significant climate impacts. He reaffirmed Germany's commitment to aiding Bangladesh through financing, technology, capacity building, and clean energy cooperation to foster resilience.
The dialogue gathered about 220 students and young people to discuss the nation's low-emission development pathway, focusing on technology, innovation, and data systems. Participants considered contributions from climate data, renewable energy research, digital innovation, life sciences, youth entrepreneurship, and university-led evidence for Bangladesh's LT-LEDS (Long-term Low Emission Development Strategies).
An expert panel discussion titled 'Powering Bangladesh's Low-Carbon and Climate-Resilient Future through Technology, Innovation, and Data Systems' featured Ulrich Klepmann, Head of Development Cooperation, German Embassy Dhaka; Dr. Md. Amdadul Haque, Associate Professor, Department of Political Studies, SUST; Dr. Md. Faruque Miah, Dean, School of Life Sciences, SUST; and Farah Anzum, Country Lead, Global Strategic Communications Council.
The panelists advocated for a high-level technical committee on LT-LEDS and discussed the roles of data systems, university research, renewable energy innovation, governance, biodiversity, and youth-led climate solutions in Bangladesh's development pathway.
Amanullah Porag, Executive Director of Youth for NDCs, emphasized that Bangladesh's LT-LEDS should not be confined to technical documents but must integrate university knowledge, community realities, youth ambitions, and development choices for 2050. He stressed that long-term low-carbon development is about energy security, jobs, competitiveness, resilience, and justice.
Participants in the dialogue engaged in thematic groups addressing Climate Data and Evidence-Based Planning, Renewable Energy and Smart Energy Systems, Digital Innovation, Green Jobs and Youth Entrepreneurship, and Life Sciences, Nature and Climate Resilience. They identified challenges and solutions, generating recommendations for Bangladesh's low-carbon development planning.
The recommendations from the SUST dialogue will contribute to the People-led LT-LEDS recommendations report, aiming to integrate youth, academic, and stakeholder perspectives into Bangladesh's climate and development planning processes.