Bangladesh forms national climate finance committee led by PM Tarique Rahman

Bangladesh moves to strengthen its climate finance framework through a high-level committee tasked with guiding carbon credit policies, trading activities and international cooperation.

Bangladesh has formed a 25-member National Committee on Climate Finance to bring climate finance, carbon credits and carbon trading activities under a coordinated national framework, according to a government notification issued on September 1.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will chair the committee. At the same time, Dr Mohammad Saimum Parvez, the prime minister’s special assistant for environment, forest and climate change, has been appointed as its coordinator, according to the notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo will serve as vice-chairman of the committee, while the secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will act as member secretary.

The committee includes Environment, Forest and Climate Change State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam; Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Health Dr SM Ziauddin Haider; and Prime Minister’s adviser on education, primary and mass education, expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment, and labour and employment Mahdi Amin.

Other members include the prime minister’s principal secretary and secretaries from the Local Government Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Ministry of Land, Power Division, Energy and Mineral Resources Division, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Commerce, Road Transport and Highways Division, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and Ministry of Water Resources.

The high-level committee, formed under the direct leadership of the prime minister, will set Bangladesh’s national vision, targets and strategic priorities on climate finance and carbon credits. It will also provide overall policy guidance on issues related to carbon credits and climate finance.

In line with international commitments, including Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, the committee will advise on the formulation, approval and implementation of Bangladesh’s national carbon credit and climate finance framework. It will also provide policy guidance for carbon trading activities in the country and oversee the activities of the Designated National Authority responsible for implementing Article 6.

A separate 32-member Climate Finance Implementation Committee has also been formed to ensure effective implementation of decisions, policies and directives issued by the national committee.

State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam will chair the implementation committee, while Dr Saimum Parvez will serve as a member. The additional secretary of the Climate Change Wing of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will serve as member secretary.

The implementation committee will carry out decisions taken by the national committee, coordinate among relevant ministries and agencies, and regularly monitor implementation progress.

Dr Saimum Parvez, coordinator of the National Committee on Climate Finance, said, “This is a historic step towards building a greener, climate-resilient and environmentally friendly Bangladesh. The formation of this national committee reflects the strong political commitment of Honourable Prime Minister Tarique Rahman towards building a green Bangladesh.”

He said, “This initiative taken under the direct leadership of the prime minister could fundamentally transform Bangladesh’s journey in climate finance and carbon trading. Through transparency, accountability and science-based planning, we want to attract international climate finance, create high-quality carbon credits and ensure that the benefits reach local communities.”

Dr Parvez further said, “Bangladesh has already demonstrated courage, innovation and adaptive capacity to the world in addressing the impacts of climate change. We have the necessary experience, natural resources and institutional capacity. If appropriate policies, international partnerships and inter-ministerial coordination are ensured, Bangladesh can become a model for the world in climate finance and carbon trading.”

The newly formed national committee will finalise policies, strategies and guidelines related to climate finance, recommend necessary amendments and reforms to existing policy frameworks, communicate with bilateral and multilateral climate funds and international development partners, determine financing strategies and monitor and evaluate the progress of related programmes and projects.

The committee will oversee the activities of the implementation committee and relevant technical committees, review reports and provide necessary guidance. It will also resolve emerging complexities in inter-ministerial policy issues related to climate finance.

According to the notification, meetings of the national committee will be held at least twice a year. However, meetings may be called at any time if necessary. The committee may co-opt new members when required.

The committee became effective immediately after the notification was issued.