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Participants at the pre-COP31 dialogue at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka
Implementing Bangladesh's updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) for 2026-2035 will require an estimated US$116.18 billion, including US$90.23 billion in international support, a national dialogue was told Saturday.
The figures were presented at the dialogue "People-Led Policy: Bangladesh Position at COP31" at the CIRDAP auditorium, ahead of COP31. The event was organised by a coalition of 33 national and international organisations.
According to the presentations, NDC 3.0 targets a 20.31 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to 84.97 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, by 2035.
The National Adaptation Plan for 2023-2050 identifies 113 initiatives that need around $230 billion.
Roufa Khanum of the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) presented figures on global emissions and Bangladesh's climate risks.
Prof Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, chairman of the Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), emphasised better waste management and steps to cut air pollution and industrial emissions.
Mahzabeen Mahfuz of ActionAid Bangladesh spoke on a just energy transition, while Chowdhury Abrar Zahin and Helena Khatun addressed marine resources and international finance.
Youth representatives presented six demands covering climate finance, education, employment, gender justice and meaningful participation in decision-making.
Mirza Shawkat Ali, director (climate change and international convention) at the Department of Environment, said initiatives are under way to reduce industrial emissions.
He said credible evidence and specific plans are essential to present Bangladesh's demands effectively in international negotiations.
SM Munjurul Hannan Khan, executive director of Nature Conservation Management (NACOM), stressed coordinated planning on climate finance, the blue economy, waste management and urban heat stress.
Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh and moderator of the dialogue, said Bangladesh bears a disproportionate burden of climate change and that united efforts are needed to secure grant-based finance rather than loans.
1. International climate finance, including for NDC 3.0, must be debt-free and grant-based.
2. The government, civil society, youth and private sector must coordinate their positions in negotiations.
3. Environment-friendly products such as jute should be showcased at COP31.
4. Industrial emissions must be cut, with a just energy transition that protects workers.
5. Women, youth and climate-affected communities must have meaningful roles in policymaking and national delegations.
6. Adequate finance must be secured for safe housing for climate migrants, waste management and urban heat mitigation.
The dialogue also underlined the need to ensure climate finance reaches affected communities, that displaced people can access resettlement support, and that women, persons with disabilities and marginalised groups take part in climate decision-making.
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