Staff Reporter :
A group of local NGOs on Sunday demanded to the government to ensure two percent of the total GDP for climate finance to achieve sustainable and climate resilient economy.
The demand came at a seminar jointly organised by COAST Foundation, Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD) and Coastal Development Partnership at CIRDAP auditorium in the capital.
Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Dhirendra Debnath Shambhu was present as the Chief Guest while Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Executive Director of COAST moderated the seminar.
Among others, Sharif Jamil, General Secretary of BAPA, AHM Bazlur Rahaman, CEO of BNNRC, Md. Shamsuddoha, CEO of CPRD, Prodip Kumar Roy of CSRL, Sujaul Islam, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Dr. Mesbah Uddin Ahmed of Jatiya Sramik Federation, spoke on the occasion. The keynote was presented by Syed Aminul Hoque, Director of COAST Foundation.
Dhirendra Debnath Shambhu said that the climate financing was important for holistic and balance development considering the socio-economic perspectives of the coastal areas.
He proposed for a separate ministry or board for coastal development issues.
Aminul Hoque said that government’s commitment to fight climate change has hardly been reflected in his national budget of FY2022-2023.
The total allocation of Tk 30,531 crore for climate budget is very traditional and it will hardly meet the demand to fight against climate change, he added.
He mentioned that government has prepared Delta plan 2100, National Determined Contribution 2030, BCCSAP-2009 and recently drafted National Adaption Plan but it requires around 2.20 percent of the GDP to implement while the current allocation is only 0.69 percent.
He demanded that the government must ensure at least two percent of GDP for climate financing to meet the strategic plans and real time implementation.
He also proposed to include coastal infrastructure issues as one of the prioritized investment sectors and for it separate allocation for embankment construction are needed.
The government should also engage local government authority to repair the embankments and adequate allocation for climate adaptive agriculture research and development is also necessary.
“We don’t expect the growth of a few capitalists. The socio-economic sustainability can hardly be possible ignoring the environmental issues. The government will have to think universal sustainability that would come from a balanced planning in economy, environment and climate change issues,” Sharif Jamil said.
“The eastern coast, south-western coast and mid-coastal areas have different climate change issues. So, planning should be taken accordingly,” Bazlur Rahaman said. He also demanded special health care facilities for vulnerable coastal women including reproductive health.
“The development plans if not taken properly considering the climate issues, will ultimately affect the country,” Md. Shamsuddoha said. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said that the “Delta Plan 2100” can be effective unless adequate allocations are given.
