Before the parliamentary elections, political parties must announce specific commitments to address the risks of climate change

Climate experts and representatives of civil society said that the entire Bangladesh is at serious risk due to climate change. The commitment of political parties is needed to address this risk. Therefore, the political parties have to announce specific commitments ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.

They made this call in the National Dialogue on Mobilizing Political Commitment to Address Climate Crisis at Azimur Rahman Conference Hall in the Daily Star Center in Dhaka.

Bangladesh Center for Advanced Studies (BCAS) Executive Director Dr. Atiq Rahman chaired the National Dialogue.

Among the participants Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh Farah Kabir, Executive Director of COAST Foundation Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Chairman of Department of Geology and Environment Mohammad Abdul Quader, CANSA Bangladesh Chairperson Rabeya Begum, AOSED Executive Director Shamim Arfeen, Executive Director of CDP Jahangir Hasan Masum, Deputy Executive Director of DORP Md. Zubair Hasan, Coordinator of Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement Nikhil Chandra Bhadra, General Secretary of Pani Adhikar Committee Humayun Kabir Boby, President of Coastal Voice of Bangladesh Abu Hena Mostafa Jamal, and Al Imran of CPRD etc.

The speakers in the dialogue said that climate change has taken an aggressive form. By the year 2050, this danger will become more dire. But the developed countries responsibility for environmental damage has no concern. They want to avoid paying compensation and mitigating damages. Does not want to pay compensation for damaging the environment.

On the contrary, they want to subjugate the affected countries. To change this situation, regardless of the party, we need to talk together here. That declaration should be made in the election manifesto.

In the dialogue, the election manifesto highlighted 7 specific proposals. The proposal states that at the initiative of the President, the National Parliament should hold a general discussion on the Paris Agreement.

In the context of the futility and limitations of the Paris Agreement, the United Nations climate talks must continue to press for increased emissions reduction targets for industrialized and emitting countries to address climate change. New targets to limit global temperature increases by the end of this century should demand the start of climate talks.

A separate international forum should be established under the United Nations on climate change-induced displacement and migration. The confusion between national policy documents on climate change should be resolved and policy consistency between all national policy documents should be established in the light of constitutional guidelines.

Allocations must be increased to address climate change impacts domestically. Ensure transparency and accountability in project approval of Climate Change Trust Fund and prioritize adaptation in project approval.

A national policy and position must be taken by involving the affected people, civil society, women, youth, ethnic minorities and other groups on climate change.