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

[Saif]

No polythene bags at Dhaka trade fair, says commerce secretary

Single-use plastics, including polythene and plastic shopping bags, will be banned at the upcoming Dhaka International Trade Fair, according to Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman. Only plastic bottles for drinking water will be allowed at the event starting on January 1, he said on Monday. Partic

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

No polythene bags at Dhaka trade fair, says commerce secretary

Published :
Dec 29, 2025 14:31
Updated :
Dec 29, 2025 14:32

Single-use plastics, including polythene and plastic shopping bags, will be banned at the upcoming Dhaka International Trade Fair, according to Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman.

Only plastic bottles for drinking water will be allowed at the event starting on January 1, he said on Monday.

Participating companies using polythene or plastic products for their own purposes will not be eligible for any awards, including best pavilion or best stall, he added.

The commerce secretary’s comment came at a media briefing held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Purbachal, the venue for the month-long fair, bdnews24.com reports.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus will inaugurate the fair at 10:00 am on the opening day.

“One notable feature this year is that we have eliminated single-use plastics, including polythene, from the fair. At this year’s 30th International Trade Fair in Purbachal, no polythene bags will be allowed," said Mahbubur.

“You know people buy bottled water. We are still not able to supply water in glass bottles this year. From next year, we are considering installing (water) dispensers. But this time, since we cannot make that arrangement, plastic water bottles will be allowed. However, there will be a system to collect them. What is strictly prohibited is polythene bags.”

On stalls using such bags to carry their own goods, the secretary said: “Those who bring polythene bags and use them to carry their own products will not be considered for any awards such as best pavilion or best stall this year.

“Even if a stall or pavilion is otherwise the best, using plastic will make it ineligible for any award.”

At this year’s trade fair, a "Bangladesh Square" will display still photographs commemorating the Language Movement of 1952, the Liberation War of 1971, and the martyrs and injured activists from the July Uprising of 2024. Seminars will also be organised on promising sectors or product-based themes.

Authorities said that there would be dedicated electronics and furniture zones for the convenience of foreign entrepreneurs and companies. Seating corners have been arranged for senior citizens, while two children’s parks will be set up for young visitors.

An open cultural centre will also promote products and marketing. Reserved stalls have been allocated for women entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs with disabilities, and those involved in cottage industries, handloom, textiles and handicrafts.

FEWER STALLS, LARGER AREA

This year, a total of 324 pavilions and stalls in different categories have been allocated to local and foreign entrepreneurs. Of these, 11 companies are from India, Turkey, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Malaysia. Last year, 343 companies participated in the fair.

Explaining the reduction in the number of stalls, Mahbubur Rahman said: “This year our floor price was slightly higher than last year. It was only marginally higher, not much. However, bids have increased and bid values have gone up. From that perspective, revenue will increase for EPB.”​

 

[Saif]

Telecom giants leave a heavier carbon footprint in Bangladesh

Global telecom giants are generating more carbon emissions in Bangladesh than in most of their developed markets, company disclosures show, a pattern environmental activists say exposes weaknesses in international climate agreements.

www.thedailystar.net

Telecom giants leave a heavier carbon footprint in Bangladesh

Disclosures show Bangladesh delivers strong revenue for Grameenphone and Robi, alongside higher carbon emissions

Global telecom giants are generating more carbon emissions in Bangladesh than in most of their developed markets, company disclosures show, a pattern environmental activists say exposes weaknesses in international climate agreements.

In 2024, Norwegian telecom group Telenor, the parent company of leading local operator Grameenphone, recorded its highest greenhouse gas emissions in Bangladesh among all its global operations, according to Telenor's annual report.

The same year, Robi Axiata, another leading telecom provider in Bangladesh, reported the second-highest emissions among the operating units of its Malaysian parent company, Axiata Group Berhad.

Both Telenor and Robi Axiata attribute their higher emissions in Bangladesh to a more carbon-intensive energy mix than in other countries where they operate

Environmental activists argue that the Paris Agreement placed stronger emissions-cutting expectations on developed nations, while developing countries were not subject to the same obligations.

"So many multinational companies are taking those opportunities," M Zakir Hossain Khan, chief executive of climate action think tank Change Initiative, told The Daily Star.

In 2024, Telenor Group's total greenhouse gas emissions in Bangladesh reached 280,000 tonnes, compared with 210,000 tonnes in Pakistan.

Emissions in Norway, where the company is headquartered, were 160,000 tonnes. Emissions in Finland were 150,000 tonnes. In Sweden and Denmark, it was less than 90,000 tonnes each last year, according to Telenor data.

Global Carbon Budget data show that Bangladesh's total carbon emissions were 1.08 billion tonnes in 2024, suggesting that Grameenphone alone accounted for roughly 0.26 percent of the national total. In the same year, Robi Axiata, the Bangladeshi arm of Axiata Group Berhad, contributed 19.7 percent of the group's total emissions.

Robi's scope 1 and 2 emissions, covering direct operations and purchased energy, amounted to 234,000 tonnes, while scope 3 emissions, including the supply chain, are expected to be considerably higher. A comparison of annual reports shows that Robi generated more carbon dioxide relative to turnover than Grameenphone.

It also shows that emissions by the multinationals in developed markets remain far lower than in countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Grameenphone reported that its scope 1 emissions, totalling 13,715 tonnes of carbon dioxide, came mainly from diesel used in backup generators. Scope 2 emissions from purchased grid electricity reached 169,570 tonnes.

Telenor has been operating in Bangladesh under the Grameenphone brand since 1996, holding 55.8 percent of shares. Bangladesh is also Telenor's second-largest revenue source, generating 14,995 million Norwegian krone in 2024, compared with 25,054 million krone in Norway.

In a written response, Grameenphone told The Daily Star that high emissions in Bangladesh are due to reliance on a carbon-intensive national grid and the widespread use of diesel generators to ensure uninterrupted service.

Grameenphone said that in Nordic countries, Telenor benefits from renewable electricity and well-established green power procurement mechanisms.

Bangladesh has recently approved a policy framework allowing private companies access to renewable energy through corporate power purchase agreements, but key guidelines and operational procedures are not yet fully in place, it said.

Meanwhile, Robi Axiata said its high greenhouse gas emissions reflect the country's energy and infrastructure challenges. Diesel generators are widely used to back up an unreliable grid, while network expansion into rural areas and rising data consumption increase energy demand.

The company said emissions are closely linked to its technical footprint, including the number of sites, coverage area, and hours of generator operation, which do not directly correlate with revenue. To reduce its carbon footprint, Robi said it is upgrading network equipment, optimising cooling systems, and implementing sleep-mode features.

Change Initiative chief executive Khan said multinationals focus on reducing carbon in developed countries while continuing to profit in developing nations without taking full responsibility for emissions.

He suggested the government introduce carbon taxes on companies and explore international carbon markets to mobilise funding for environmental projects.

Without such measures, per capita climate debt is rising sharply, from zero in 2009 to $80 today. "A rigorous focus is necessary," he said.​

 

[Saif]

Climate change puts Khulna at risk

Speakers came up with these observations at a divisional dialogue jointly organised by Uttaran, DORP, ESDO, and Prothom Alo, with support from Helvetas Bangladesh, in Khulna.

en.prothomalo.com

Climate change puts Khulna at risk

Correspondent Khulna
Published: 30 Dec 2025, 22: 41

Participants at the roundtable discussion titled “Climate Change: Its Impact on Coastal Regions and Ways to Address It”—(from left) Gouranga Nandi, Md Nazrul Islam, Anwarul Qadir, Md Abdul Karim and Nabaneeta Dutta. 29 December 2025, Khulna Press Club. Prothom Alo

The coastal southwestern region is becoming increasingly vulnerable due to the impacts of climate change. Rising salinity, scarcity of fresh water, and disruption of the natural flow of rivers are putting pressure on agriculture, food security, and people’s livelihoods.

At the same time, health risks for women and children are increasing, further intensifying social inequality. Alongside the impacts of climate change, the Sundarbans is also under pressure from human-induced activities. In this context, sustainable climate adaptation and development can only be ensured through integrated and long-term planning, rather than sector-based fragmented initiatives.

Speakers came up with these observations at a divisional dialogue titled “Climate Change: Its Impact on Coastal Regions and Ways to Address It” jointly organised by Uttaran, DORP, ESDO, and Prothom Alo, with support from Helvetas Bangladesh, at the Khulna Press Club yesterday, Sunday.

Representatives from various government departments, civil society, non-governmental development organisations, affected women and men, students, and media professionals participated in the dialogue.

At the discussion, Sundarbans Academy Executive Director Professor Anwarul Kadir said, “The impacts of climate change affect everyone. Different ministries, departments, and directorates of the government are working separately. As a result, initiatives often fail to be sustainable, and desired outcomes may not be achieved. Whatever plans we take, if they are not integrated, they will not be aligned with the SDGs, nor will they be sustainable.”

Anwarul Kadir further said, “There is much talk about producing alternative crops. But how compatible that food is with our food security needs must be considered carefully. The issue of forming a separate ministry for the Sundarbans should be given serious thought.”

Participating in the discussion, Khulna District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Md Abdul Karim said cyclone shelters are now being designed in a way that not only ensures the safety of people and their assets during disasters, but also allows them to be used for other purposes at other times. Facilities are now being ensured in shelters for the elderly, women, and people with special needs.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Khulna, Md Nazrul Islam, said that 90 per cent of water sources in Khulna Division come from the Gorai River, which flows from the Padma. Due to reduced upstream water flow, the natural flow of the Gorai River and hundreds of rivers in Khulna Division has been disrupted; many rivers are now virtually dead. This is directly affecting agriculture, biodiversity, and people’s livelihoods. At the same time, leasing out canals in the region is harming agriculture. If international solutions to water problems are not pursued, canal leasing is not stopped, and adaptation to alternative agriculture is not achieved, agriculture and farmers in this region will face even greater threats.

Freshwater reservoirs must be created

Writer and researcher Gouranga Nandi said the Khulna–Bagerhat–Satkhira region is part of a sensitive mangrove ecology. This area consists of a unique geographical zone formed by the mixing of fresh and saline water, which is geologically extremely vulnerable. Even before the land formation process in this region was complete, settlement and various development activities began. Traditionally, people in this region stored pond water for drinking. To address the current water crisis, ponds must be given the highest priority. At the same time, to sustain agriculture, it is essential to create freshwater reservoirs and ensure their preservation.

Mahfuzur Rahman Mukul, divisional coordinator of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), said salinity levels have increased in this region where saline and fresh water mix, causing damage to the Sundarbans. In addition, plastic waste pollution and unplanned tourism are harming the Sundarbans. Forest-centric projects should be undertaken in ways that are environmentally friendly and based on people’s participation.

Teacher and women’s leader Begum Rehana Isa said women in coastal areas face far greater health risks. They have to collect drinking water from distant places, creating numerous challenges in maintaining hygiene. Coastal women suffer extensively from gynaecological diseases. Coastal embankments are very weak, and they do not withstand tidal surges. The government must construct sustainable embankments in these areas.

Shamima Sultana, a lawyer and divisional head of the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Khulna, said gender inequality in coastal areas is severe. Women are forced to manage household work, outdoor work, fishing, and various other responsibilities, increasing their health risks. She opined that if community clinics in coastal areas could provide more effective services, the suffering of pregnant women and other women would be reduced.

Assistant Director of the Khulna District Social Services Office, Md Hosenur Rahman, said, “If anyone is affected by climate change, we provide them with assistance. Skin diseases are very prevalent in coastal regions. The Ministry of Health should take initiatives to ensure that dermatology specialists are available at upazila health complexes in these areas.”

Nabaneeta Dutta, Women Affairs Officer of Dighalia Upazila, said structural changes are being made positively in cyclone shelters. However, a fully women-friendly environment is still not available. There is a need to create suitable employment opportunities for women in this region.

Md Abu Ferdous Chowdhury, Disaster Risk Reduction and WASH Officer of Uttaran’s ACCESS project, presented climate adaptation activities aimed at reducing climate change risks. He said that under this project, funded by Helvetas, they are working in 24 wards across eight unions in Morrelganj and Sharankhola upazilas of Bagerhat. The project focuses on disaster risk reduction; water, sanitation, and hygiene; advocacy; support for climate migrants and their families; agricultural information centres; and various other issues in vulnerable coastal areas.

Uttaran’s Agriculture Officer, Abul Hasnat, said the major impact of climate change is now being felt through salinity. Over the past 15 years, saline-affected land has increased by more than approximately 900,000 hectares. Long-term planning is required to address this situation.

Project beneficiary Roni Howladar from Morrelganj said, “After Cyclone Sidr, agriculture in our area was severely affected. Rice production is still very low. At the same time, there has been a crisis in the livestock sector. There is a severe shortage of animal feed in the area.”

Speakers at the dialogue included Khulna Press Club Convener Enamul Haque, Uttaran Technical Manager Rezwan Ullah, Khulna journalists Abu Hena Mostafa Jamal, Kaushik Dey and Ahmed Musa, and Bagerhat journalists Injamamul Haque and Tanjim Ahmed.

The programme was moderated by Prothom Alo Assistant Editor Firoz Choudhury while Prothom Alo Khulna Correspondent Uttam Mondol delivered the welcome address.​