Antalya:Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo emphasized the importance of international financing and technological support in ensuring a just transition to address climate change.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Mintoo highlighted the necessity for adequate, predictable, and accessible financing, technology transfer, and capacity-building support from developed countries. These measures are crucial for climate-vulnerable and least developed countries, including Bangladesh, to transition without creating additional debt burdens.
The minister made these remarks at a high-level panel discussion titled "From Climate Commitments to Decent Work Advancing a Just Transition for All" during the official opening of the Just Transition Pavilion at COP31 in Antalya. He stressed that protecting livelihoods, creating employment opportunities, promoting social justice, and strengthening climate resilience should be prioritized to ensure ordinary people benefit from climate action.
Mintoo outlined Bangladesh's approach to a just transition, which involves moving towards a low-carbon economy while protecting climate-affected livelihoods, enhancing resilience, and creating employment through sustainable economic activities. He noted the country's incorporation of a Just Transition chapter in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) Implementation Plan, developed with various stakeholders, including the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The minister announced Bangladesh's target to increase renewable energy's share in electricity generation to 20 percent by 2030, including plans for 5,500 megawatts from rooftop solar installations. He also detailed a government programme to plant 25 crore trees over five years, with 3.6 crore saplings already planted, creating approximately 350,000 green jobs.
Additionally, the government aims to excavate and restore 20,000 kilometres of canals, supporting agriculture, fisheries, rural employment, and climate resilience. Mintoo emphasized the need for inclusive decision-making processes, skills development, and social protection systems to achieve a just transition.
He advocated for affordable financing, modern technology, and technical assistance for small and medium-sized enterprises to facilitate cleaner production systems. Bangladesh supports establishing a country-driven Just Transition Mechanism under the guidance of the Conference of the Parties to the Paris Agreement, prioritizing least developed and climate-vulnerable countries.
The event was organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Commission, with participation from various international organizations and stakeholders.