Bangladesh lacks of holistic plan for ensuring sustainable industrialisation, green transformation: CPD

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) on Tuesday said there is a lack of a holistic plan for ensuring balance between sustainable environment-friendly industrialisation (green transformation) and sustainable growth addressing adverse impact of climate change and industrial pollution on welfare of workers in the country.

The local think tank made the remarks at the dialogue on “Securing Green Transition of the Textile and Readymade Garments Sector in Bangladesh" organised by the CPD at a city hotel.

Presenting keynote paper there, CPD Research Fellow Muntaseer Kamal said the existing environmental policy framework needs to clearly define goals for firms to follow sustainable practices, which has led to insufficient implementation of regulations.

"More policy support and incentives for encouraging investment in large-scale renewable energy generation must be provided," he added.

Kamal recommended increasing the availability of skilled human resources. This can be achieved via developing and expanding apprenticeship and mentorship programmes in green industries, developing partnerships with private sector organisations to provide training and certification programmes for green skills, and incentivising individuals and businesses to participate in green skills training programmes.

"The government should establish a green skills development fund. This will support firms to provide training for their workers on energy efficiency, waste management, and circular economy," he also said.

He added that buyers, international development partners, and industry association can contribute to this fund.

CPD executive director Dr Fahmida Khatun moderated the function while Dr Shamsul Alam, State Minister, Ministry of Planning, was present there as Chief Guest.

Alexandra Berg Von Linde, Ambassador, Embassy of Sweden, Bangladesh and Charles Whiteley, Ambassador, Head of Delegation, Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, were present as Guests of Honour at the session.

Md Shahidullah Azim, Vice President, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA); Thijs Woudstra, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh also spoke there.