Dhaka, Nov 18 (V7N) – Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, Climate Change, and Water Resources, has called on the global community to prioritize climate justice and uphold the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR). Speaking at the 2024 annual high-level ministerial round table on pre-2030 ambition during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, she stressed the urgent need for developed nations to accelerate mitigation efforts and fulfill commitments under the Paris Agreement.

Representing one of the most climate-vulnerable countries, Rizwana Hasan highlighted Bangladesh’s daily struggles with rising sea levels, intensifying cyclones, erratic rainfall, and salinity intrusion. She revealed that two major floods this year alone caused $1.7 billion in damages, accounting for 1.8% of the national budget, while 15 climate-induced disasters in the past 18 months left 1.2 million people waterlogged.

Despite contributing less than 0.4% to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Bangladesh continues to face severe consequences. The country remains committed to reducing GHG emissions by 22% by 2030, including a 27 million-tonne unconditional reduction and a 61 million-tonne conditional reduction. Achieving these targets will require $45 billion from domestic sources and $135 billion in international financing.

Rizwana Hasan outlined three key demands:

  1. Strengthening Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by focusing on renewable energy, lifestyle changes, and halting deforestation.
  2. Avoiding reliance on market mechanisms for meeting mitigation obligations.
  3. Delivering quality climate finance through public sources, operationalizing funds like the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund, and Loss and Damage Fund.

“Every fraction of a degree matters. Every day matters. Let us leave COP29 with not just words but renewed commitments to pre-2030 ambitions—actions that protect lives and futures worldwide,” she stated.

Earlier, Rizwana Hasan held a bilateral meeting with Azerbaijan's Forest and Environment Minister to discuss enhancing regional cooperation on climate resilience. She also highlighted Nepal’s interest in supplying additional hydropower to Bangladesh and emphasized the need for South Asian collaboration on addressing loss and damage.

Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled "Loss and Damage Assessment and Accessing International Climate Finance" at the Bangladesh Pavilion, she advocated for robust global mechanisms to address climate-induced losses and equitable access to climate funds.

The session emphasized the importance of effective loss and damage assessment systems and explored avenues to secure international financing to support vulnerable communities in adapting to climate impacts.

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