[🇧🇩] Save the Rivers/Forests/Hills-----Save the Environment

[Saif]

Govt committed to ensuring best use of climate budget: Rizwana

Rizwana, also adviser to the Ministry of Water Resources, highlighted several critical issues in climate governance and Bangladesh's priorities.

www.thedailystar.net

Govt committed to ensuring best use of climate budget: Rizwana

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan emphasised the government's commitment to ensuring the best use of the climate budget.

Rizwana, also adviser to the Ministry of Water Resources, highlighted several critical issues in climate governance and Bangladesh's priorities.

She was speaking at a seminar titled "Global Climate Negotiation Challenges and Priorities for Bangladesh" organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in the capital today.

The adviser noted that the guidelines for allocating the Climate Change Trust Fund have been updated, with funds distributed more cautiously than ever.

She also stressed that international climate funds must be utilised properly to achieve meaningful outcomes. Ongoing efforts aim to identify priority sectors for climate investments. However, she warned that without reducing carbon emissions, global environmental damage cannot be mitigated, regardless of increased spending.

The adviser highlighted that various initiatives are being implemented to address Bangladesh's environmental challenges.

"We must rethink development strategies. If rivers and canals are filled, how can adaptation efforts succeed? Abandoning a consumerist lifestyle is necessary," she remarked.

She added that a task force has been formed to control air pollution, which will soon begin its activities. Measures are also being taken against polluters, and the use of single-use plastics is being discouraged.

Rizwana called for a focus on enhancing resilience, securing adequate adaptation funding, and ensuring transparency in fulfilling global commitments. She also urged equitable negotiations at global forums to amplify the voices of vulnerable communities and ensure developed nations fulfil their financial and technological commitments.

The seminar featured insights from key speakers, including Ambassador AFM Gousal Azam Sarker, Chairman of BIISS, and Major General Iftekhar Anis, Director General of BIISS.

The seminar brought together policymakers, researchers, climate experts, and diplomats to discuss pressing issues, including inadequate climate finance, slow progress on loss and damage mechanisms, and the need for stronger mitigation targets from major emitters.​

 

[Saif]

Air pollution: Old, polluting buses in Dhaka to be scrapped

Says Environment Adviser Rizwana

www.thedailystar.net

Air pollution: Old, polluting buses in Dhaka to be scrapped
Says Environment Adviser Rizwana

Photo: BSS

Old and polluting buses in Dhaka will be scrapped to reduce the air pollution in the capital, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said today.

"People in Dhaka cannot continue to suffer and die from air pollution. The interests of a few cannot outweigh the health of the entire population. Bus owners must take immediate action," she said at a discussion meeting at the Bidyut Bhaban.

The event focused on strengthening discipline in the transport sector, reducing traffic congestion, and controlling air pollution in Dhaka.

She urged bus owners to take immediate action, noting that a taskforce has been formed to combat air pollution.

The task force will focus on reducing dust, repairing damaged roads, and strictly enforcing laws, she said adding efforts will also be made to cut pollution caused by black smoke, brick kilns, and industrial emissions, aligning with the Air Quality Management Plan.

The Adviser also mentioned plans to declare Ashulia a no-brick-kiln zone as part of measures to control air pollution.

Besides, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has been approached to lower taxes on air purifiers, while steps will be taken to clear illegal encroachments from sidewalks.

The meeting was chaired by Md Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, and attended by senior officials, including Brig Gen (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser to the Ministry of Labor and Employment; Adilur Rahman Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works; and Md Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, special assistant to the chief adviser, leaders of the Bus Owners Association, City Corporation administrators, and other stakeholders were also present.​

 

[Saif]

CDA builds bamboo fence along Jamal Khan canal

The move came days after The Daily Star published a report on the issue

www.thedailystar.net

CDA builds bamboo fence along Jamal Khan canal

Photo: Star

After seven months, the Chattogram Development Authority started building a bamboo fence along the bank of Jamal Khan canal in the Hem Sen Lane area of the port city.

The move came days after The Daily Star published a report on the issue, "Jamal Khan canal: A deathtrap lies waiting", on its website on Sunday.

According to locals, a portion of three buildings in the area were built occupying the land of the canal.

The CDA started an eviction drive to reclaim the land of the canal in the last week of January. Accordingly, the CDA mobile court dismantled the illegal portion of the buildings in the area during the drives.

CDA has been working in this canal as part of the mega project being implemented to address waterlogging.

According to locals, the work on the Jamal Khan canal stopped in April.

Lt Col Ferdous Ahmed, project director of the CDA mega project, said, "After getting information from your newspaper, I talked to the local sub-contractor of the project and instructed him to secure the exposed bank of the canal with a fence."

On Thursday, it was found that some workers were building a bamboo fence along the canal. However, locals said the fence seemed to be fragile and weak.

Ashraful Islam, a local, said, "It is a good step taken by the CDA authority but the fence seems to be too fragile... I doubt whether the fence can withstand a strong wind."

Asked, Ferdous said the fence was not a permanent solution. "We will start working on the canal very soon."

It is to be noted that at least 11 people were killed and many others injured by falling into unfenced canals and drains in Chattogram since 2017.​

 

[Saif]

Devising ways to obviate decline in green financing

The recent decline in green and sustainable financing by banks and financial institutions (FIs) poses a significant challenge to achieving environmental sustainability. While a handful of private banks have managed to maintain or even exceed their targets in funding green projects, the broader tren

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Devising ways to obviate decline in green financing
Editorial
Published :
Dec 20, 2024 01:01
Updated :
Dec 20, 2024 01:01

The recent decline in green and sustainable financing by banks and financial institutions (FIs) poses a significant challenge to achieving environmental sustainability. While a handful of private banks have managed to maintain or even exceed their targets in funding green projects, the broader trend reveals a concerning drop in green financing across the banking sector. According to a report carried in the Financial Express (FE), green and sustainable financing witnessed a sharp decline in the third quarter of 2024 due to reduced loan disbursements. During the July-September period, banks contributed Tk 65.85 billion to green financing, marking a 5.64 per cent decrease compared to the previous quarter. Non-bank financial institutions fared even worse, with their contributions plummeting by a staggering 78.64 per cent to Tk 2.12 billion. Furthermore, a central bank report highlighted a contraction in overall sustainable finance, with banks disbursing Tk 1,042.4 billion-an 8.4 per cent drop from the preceding quarter-and FIs disbursing Tk 16.313 billion, down by 45.48 per cent.

Green financing refers to funding projects, industries, businesses, or technologies that prioritise environmental sustainability. In Bangladesh, it encompasses initiatives such as solar power, biogas, hydropower, wind power, waste management and recycling, organic farming, and other renewable energy projects. At its core, green finance is any structured financial activity designed to promote better environmental outcomes. It includes loans, debt instruments, and investments aimed at developing eco-friendly projects or mitigating the environmental impact of traditional ventures. Sustainable finance, which closely aligns with green financing, focuses on conducting business in ways that reduce carbon emissions and environmental footprints. Together, these financing approaches are essential for fostering a greener and more sustainable economy. The sharp decline in green financing can largely be attributed to sluggish business expansion and reduced loan disbursements. Bankers have pointed out that the lack of new business ventures during this period has significantly impacted green and sustainable finance. The slowdown underscores broader economic challenges that are hindering the growth of environment-focused investments.

It may be noted that the central bank has been proactive in encouraging green financing since 2009. It introduced a revolving refinance scheme of Tk 2.0 billion to support products like solar energy, biogas, and effluent treatment plants. Over time, this fund was expanded to Tk 4.0 billion to meet rising demand. In 2016, the Green Transformation Fund (GTF), a long-term refinancing scheme of $200 million, was launched to support sustainable growth in the export-oriented textile and leather sectors. Later, 200 million Euros were added to the fund to strengthen the country's green economy. Despite these efforts, the recent downturn in green financing highlights the need for renewed focus and policy intervention.

The decline in green financing signals a dual challenge: banks face higher risks in disbursing loans, and there is an urgent need to stimulate demand for green projects. To address these issues, policymakers and stakeholders must collaborate to create a more favourable environment for green investments. Banks and FIs need risk-mitigation mechanisms to encourage lending in environmentally sustainable projects. Enhanced guarantees, government subsidies or insurance for green investments could help alleviate concerns about potential defaults.​

 

[Saif]

Dhaka's struggle with air pollution

Dhaka is often making headlines for ranking as the most polluted city in the world in the Air Quality Index (AQI). The air quality of the city of around 20 million people remains in the "very unhealthy" and "hazardous" categories around the year, but its pollution level reached catastrophic levels

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Dhaka's struggle with air pollution
Shiabur Rahman
Published :
Dec 20, 2024 00:53
Updated :
Dec 20, 2024 00:53

Dhaka is often making headlines for ranking as the most polluted city in the world in the Air Quality Index (AQI). The air quality of the city of around 20 million people remains in the "very unhealthy" and "hazardous" categories around the year, but its pollution level reached catastrophic levels during the winter, leaving the metropolis in a suffocating state. Temperature inversions and increased emissions during the season result in the city's AQI often exceeding 300, far above the safe threshold of 50 in the index, which measures particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone levels.

The main contributors to Dhaka's air pollution are diverse, but they are interconnected. The number of vehicles in the city is increasing with every passing day and has already reached a million to cater to the needs of its burgeoning population. The exhaust from the vehicles, most of which are poorly maintained and lack proper emission controls, is a major source of pollution. Thousands of brick kilns surrounding Dhaka, which use outdated technology, burning coal and other polluting fuels, are another big contributor. According to studies, these kilns contribute nearly 60 per cent of Dhaka's PM2.5 pollution.

The rapid growth in urban population requires the city to construct more and more buildings and other establishments but the construction is not properly regulated. Such unregulated building practices and poorly maintained filthy roads generate massive amounts of dust, factories in and around the city emit pollutants, including particulate matter and toxic gases, while nonstandard waste management practices, such as the open burning of garbage, release harmful chemicals and particulates into air worsening its quality.

The impacts of the air pollution in Dhaka are immense. It not only causes an environmental catastrophe, but also takes a heavy toll on health of people and other animals living here and creates a socio-economic burden. According to the State of Global Air (SoGA) 2024 report, air pollution was responsible for over 235,000 deaths in Bangladesh in 2021, with a significant percentage occurring in Dhaka. Exposure to toxic air exacerbates respiratory diseases such as asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while long-term exposure causes lung cancer, impairs cognitive development in young population and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases in older people.

The economic loss of air pollution is staggering. According to the World Bank, Bangladesh's economic losses from air pollution were estimated between 3.9 per cent and 4.4 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019.

The government has implemented several initiatives to tackle air pollution. They include introducing compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles, promoting cleaner technologies for brick kilns, shifting polluting factories outside the capital, and lately encouraging use of electric vehicles. These efforts, however, have not yielded desired results, mainly due to weak enforcement of regulations, lack of coordination, and limited public awareness. Corruption and lack of accountability often allow polluters to evade regulations here.

Addressing Dhaka's air pollution crisis requires a multi-pronged approach involving government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and civil society. The government needs to strengthen regulatory frameworks and ensure strict enforcement of emissions standards for vehicles and industries, phase out outdated brick kiln technologies, and ban the open burning of waste.

It also requires promoting green urban planning, ensuring more green spaces in the city, introducing dust control measures at construction sites and roads, and replacing dilapidated buses with environment-friendly electric vehicles. Public awareness campaigns are necessary to educate citizens about the causes and consequences of air pollution, and encourage them to participate in initiatives like tree planting and waste management.​