As youth movements rise and climate risks intensify, Bangladesh’s political landscape shows signs of greener thinking, gender-responsive energy visions, and a growing demand for accountable, environment-centered leadership.
Have we ever truly thought about conducting elections using environmentally friendly paper, paper that does not just end as waste but eventually grows into a tree? In a country grappling with floods, rising heat, vanishing rivers and vulnerable communities, even the smallest act of care for the environment becomes revolutionary. As new political narratives emerge driven by youth movements, civic activism and global climate commitments, the question arises: is Bangladesh ready for real environmental and political transformation?
From the DUCSU election, the use of seed paper has already begun. Seed paper is made by recycling paper and embedding seeds within it so that once the paper is discarded, it can grow into a plant or a tree. Even during the intense political movements of the BNP, we have seen leaders from Tarique Rahman to Zaima Rahman using such eco-friendly paper in election-related activities. If those who speak of people-centered politics also show genuine concern for the environment and climate, then through their vision this youth can hope to see a new and greener world.
Bangladesh’s geography makes it uniquely exposed to climate risks. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC, the country is highly vulnerable to sea-level rise, salinity intrusion and climate-induced displacement. Millions living in coastal belts, riverine islands known as chars and hilly regions face repeated loss of livelihoods. The World Bank estimates that, if adaptive action remains insufficient, climate change could internally displace over 13 million people in Bangladesh by 2050.
Despite notable achievements in disaster preparedness and early warning systems, structural environmental problems persist. Rivers are encroached upon, wetlands are filled for urban expansion, air quality in cities like Dhaka regularly ranks among the worst globally and plastic pollution continues unchecked. Environmental laws exist but enforcement remains weak due to political influence, institutional limitations and lack of accountability.
Politics and the Environment: A Missed Opportunity?
On 1 February 2026, Dhaka witnessed more than just another conference. Under the banner of the Energy Transition Conference 2026, the room came alive with conversations shaped by urgency, empathy and political possibility. The theme “Voices for a Gender-Responsive Energy Future” was not treated as a slogan but as a shared responsibility.
From the NCP, voices emerged that spoke clearly about prioritizing women in their manifesto not as beneficiaries but as leaders of change. They acknowledged an uncomfortable truth: climate change does not affect everyone equally. Women, particularly in vulnerable communities, bear a heavier burden whether through energy poverty, unpaid care work or displacement. The conversation moved beyond recognition toward action, emphasizing the need to expand women’s participation and leadership in the renewable energy sector.
What made the moment powerful was not the agreement of one party alone. Representatives from the BNP and other political groups echoed similar commitments. They spoke of carrying these priorities into their manifestos and more importantly into their own political thinking. In a country where political divides often dominate public life, this convergence felt rare and significant.
This was not about erasing differences. It was about creating a space where leaders from different political ideologies could sit together, listen and reflect on shared challenges. That possibility of dialogue, accountability and collective imagination inspires faith in a new kind of leadership.
In that forum, the future felt tangible. A future where energy transition is not only about technology but about justice. Where women’s voices are central, not peripheral. And where politics, when guided by responsibility and empathy, can still be a force for meaningful change.
Is Bangladesh Ready?
What kind of country do young voters want? And what do they expect from their elected representatives?
These questions were at the center of a program arranged by Jamuna Television. One young voter shared something very simple but meaningful. This would be the first time in his life he could vote freely according to his own choice. For him, that alone felt like change.
After a long time, we are seeing young people stepping into politics with confidence. Their leadership and participation have shaped what many now call the July movement, showing that youth are no longer just observers but active voices in political change.
At the same time, we are witnessing the rise of new women leaders. From Dr Tasnim Zara to Barishal’s strong and fearless voice Dr Manisha Chakraborty, women candidates in Barishal-5 are visible on the ground. They have been working closely with communities for years, especially with women and are now stepping forward as leaders.
For many young people, this kind of leadership feels new. Seeing women lead from the front, speak clearly and stay connected to people gives us hope, hope for a more accountable, inclusive and people-centered politics.
Platforms such as youth parliaments, climate strikes and citizen-led monitoring of rivers and canals reflect a growing demand for accountability, echoing concerns raised in environmental transparency and accountability studies by Transparency International Bangladesh TIB. These movements connect environmental degradation with broader political issues: corruption, unequal development, lack of transparency and exclusion of vulnerable voices.
Bangladesh faces immense challenges but the energy, vision and leadership of its youth and women offer hope. Real change will not come from empty promises but from politics that listens, acts and centers both people and the planet.
References
● Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC. Sixth Assessment Report AR6.
● Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change MoEFCC, Government of Bangladesh.
● Transparency International Bangladesh TIB. Environmental Governance Reports.
● UNDP Bangladesh. Climate Change and Governance Reports.
● Jamuna Television https://www.facebook.com/reel/4075745245903121/?mibextid=9drbnH
● Manuser Jonno Foundation
