Different Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) called for bringing down the global carbon emission to ‘Net Zero’ by 2050 to combat climate change and to ensure livable earth for posterity.
To this effect, they also urged the leaders of developed, advanced developing and least developed countries to disengage from fossil-fuel based economic activities immediately and to meet the enhanced fuel demand from renewable sources.
Their call came at a human chain campaign in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the capital on Thursday.
Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD), Shariatpur Development Society (SDS), Coastal Development Partnership (CDP), Coast Foundation, Young Power in Social Action (YPSA), Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), and Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) arranged the event.
Md. Shamsuddoha, chief executive of CPRD, was the keynote speaker in the campaign.
Besides, Kausar Rahman, president, Bangladesh Climate Journalist Forum, Mihir Bishwas, joint secretary, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Aminur Rasul, chief executive, Unnayandhara Trust, Nikhil Chandra Vadra, senior journalist, The Daily Kaler Kantho, Md. Akib Jabed, senior research assistant, CPRD, among others, also spoke at the programme.
In the speech, Mr Shamsuddoha said combating climate change and its impacts have become an undeniable challenge all over the world while scientists have identified uncontrolled and inconsiderate human activities as the prime reason for this change in global climate.
It has become conspicuous from many studies that it won’t be possible to keep global warming below 2°C above its pre-industrial level even if all the countries completely implement their emission reduction commitments placed in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), he insists.
The multinational banks and other financial institutions must stop investing in fossil fuel-based projects, he said, adding that it is, however, a matter of great concern that production and use of fossil fuels and investment therein haven’t yet abated around the world.
Mr Kausar said the climate finance under Green Climate Fund must be channelled to the under-developed and least developed countries on easy terms.
Mr Mihir said besides the global initiatives taken so far, Bangladesh should also play its part to tackle the perils of global warming.
The enhanced NDC project can be taken as an opportunity and Bangladesh should create an example by preparing a well-studied NDC, he added.
Mr Aminur said Bangladesh was under the highest risk of the hazards of climate change even though it contributes a very tiny portion of global carbon emission.
He also demanded Bangladesh make its development plans sustainable and environment-friendly.
Mr Nikhil highlighted that Bangladesh bears the greatest risk of climate change impacts.
He also invoked the global community to come forward with more robust measures in formulating Enhanced NDCs.
The event was moderated by Al Imran, Research and Advocacy Assistant, CPRD.
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