Bangladesh’s election sees climate issues enter mainstream politics, but parties still lack clear green economic plans to confront rising climate risks, warn youth groups and policy analysts nationwide ahead vote.
As Bangladesh heads into its 13th national parliamentary election and referendum on 12 February, environmental and climate issues are gaining visibility in political campaigns, quietly joining debates on jobs, healthcare, education, governance and foreign policy.
Major political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, have outlined plans to address pollution, climate change and environmental degradation, signalling a gradual shift away from development narratives dominated solely by large-scale infrastructure.
BNP’s 51-point manifesto, unveiled on 6 February, identifies environmental conservation and sustainable development as a key policy pillar. Jamaat-e-Islami, which released its programme two days earlier, frames climate action as a matter of national survival, proposing a “three-zero vision” by 2030, zero environmental degradation, zero waste and zero flood risk.
While climate language is increasingly present, youth groups and policy analysts caution that most party platforms still lack a coherent green economic strategy capable of responding to Bangladesh’s accelerating climate risks.
Tree plantation and forest protection
BNP plans to plant and maintain 250 million trees nationwide over five years. “This initiative can generate more than 600,000 green jobs through plantations, monitoring and nurseries,” said Dr Saimum Parvez, a member of the BNP Election Committee and Special Assistant to the Chairman of the party’s Foreign Policy Committee. Its manifesto includes science-based afforestation using GIS-driven land mapping, region-specific species selection and a digital tree monitoring system.
Jamaat-e-Islami promises to halt deforestation and expand plantations with native species. Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zobayer, Assistant Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami, said, “Political will and national unity are essential to tackle environmental challenges. Protecting the environment is not possible through law enforcement alone. Leaders must act together to make a difference.”
Energy transition, carbon markets and water diplomacy
Bangladesh is among the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, facing floods, cyclones, salinity intrusion, heat stress and displacement.
BNP has set a target of generating 20 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. “We will expand solar, wind, hydropower and waste-based energy and develop domestic carbon trading to strengthen our economy while cutting emissions,” a BNP official said.
Both parties support nuclear energy. BNP has promised to review the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, while Jamaat-e-Islami supports nuclear expansion under international safety standards.
Waste management and urban pressure
BNP aims to cut plastic waste by 30 percent within five years and turn waste into energy to support urban power supply. The party goes further with its Circular Future Model, establishing e-waste recycling facilities in each division and integrating 200,000 informal waste workers.
Jamaat-e-Islami promises deposit-return schemes for plastic bottles, urban composting zones and eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags.
Floods, agriculture and climate adaptation
Jamaat proposes adopting international flood management techniques such as the Dutch Delta Model, expanding mangroves and promoting rainwater harvesting. BNP pledges to implement the Teesta Mega Project and Padma Barrage, along with climate-smart agriculture. BNP plans to introduce water-saving irrigation technology on up to 50 percent of paddy fields by 2035. Water sharing is also under scrutiny.
BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman said, “There are difficulties with the Padma and Teesta rivers. We want to sit with those we disagree with and solve these issues so that our people receive their fair share of water.” He also committed to implementing the three R policy, reduce, reuse and recycle, to protect the environment.
YouthNet Global: progress, but critical gaps remain
Sohanur Rahman of YouthNet Global said, “Political parties are finally acknowledging environmental issues. BNP’s manifesto is technically detailed, while Jamaat sees climate adaptation as a matter of survival. But most platforms ignore climate-induced migration, urban slum resilience, air and lead pollution and ecosystem protection.”
He added, “Renewable energy is not treated as central to national development. Climate adaptation, loss and damage financing and just transition frameworks remain weak. Air pollution and lead contamination are almost entirely absent, despite threatening millions of children and communities.”
Climate-induced migration and displaced populations in urban slums are also overlooked. “Political parties must regulate sand and stone mining and prevent deforestation to protect people and biodiversity,” Rahman said.
Youth leaders, however, warn of risks in carbon trading. “Carbon markets must be transparent and fair. Otherwise, they can enable fossil fuel expansion and marginalise local communities,” said Rahman.
YouthNet Global has called for a fossil fuel phase-down, strict carbon market safeguards, enforceable air quality targets, elimination of lead pollution and youth-driven green job creation.
Rahman concluded, “The real test comes after the election. Manifesto promises must become policies, with funding, implementation and accountability, watched by citizens, youth groups and the international community.”
