Environmental activists and civil society representatives call for transparency, public consultation and reduced reliance on imported fossil fuels in shaping the country’s long-term energy future.
Civil society representatives, environmental activists, energy sector stakeholders and local communities called on Bangladesh to prioritise national interests and ensure public participation in the formulation of its Energy Master Plan at a rally in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The public solidarity and awareness programme was jointly organised by Re Global and the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED).
Speakers said the Energy Master Plan is closely linked to Bangladesh’s economy, environment, public welfare and future energy security. They said the plan should be based primarily on Bangladesh’s own realities, capabilities and people’s needs rather than relying exclusively on foreign interests or advice.
The speakers said the plan should serve the welfare of the people rather than the interests of any particular group or institution. They called for civil society representatives, experts, researchers, environmental activists, local communities and other relevant stakeholders to be involved from the beginning of the planning process.
They also called for the draft plan to be made publicly accessible and for open discussions and consultations to ensure that public opinion is reflected in the final plan.
The participants highlighted the risks to energy security from excessive dependence on imported fossil fuels and stressed the potential of renewable energy, particularly solar power, to help develop an affordable, environmentally friendly and sustainable energy system.
They also said long-term economic costs, environmental consequences and potential impacts on people should be properly assessed during the energy planning process.
The participants called on the government to ensure transparency and accountability at every stage of the formulation and implementation of the Energy Master Plan, prioritise national interests and domestic capabilities over foreign dependence, establish effective mechanisms for public consultation and take practical and timely measures to promote renewable energy.
The speakers said the people of Bangladesh have both the right and responsibility to determine the country’s energy future and that no Energy Master Plan should be adopted by disregarding public opinion.
They said long-term energy security and sustainable development can only be achieved through a people-centred, transparent and participatory planning process.
During the programme, participants voiced their demands through the slogan: “No to Japan, no to foreign interests in the Energy Master Plan. National planning must ensure the participation of the nation.”
Through the slogan, they called for national interests, people’s rights and meaningful public participation to be ensured in the formulation of Bangladesh’s Energy Master Plan.
