Bangladesh’s Green Energy Olympiad 2026 concluded in Dhaka, urging youth to lead renewable energy transition, raise climate awareness, and challenge fossil fuel dominance through innovation, policy engagement, and sustainable practices.
A two-day Green Energy Olympiad 2026 concluded in Dhaka on Thursday with strong calls for youth-led action to accelerate Bangladesh’s transition to renewable energy and sustainable development.
The grand finale of the Olympiad was held on April 8 and 9 at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital, bringing together students, policymakers, researchers and development practitioners to promote environmentally responsible thinking and energy transformation.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the chief guest, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology Vice-Chancellor Dr Abdul Hasib Chowdhury said Bangladesh must move away from its import-dependent energy structure and rapidly advance towards renewable energy. He emphasized that alongside large-scale projects, behavioral change in everyday energy use is equally important.
Centre for Policy Dialogue Research Director Dr Golam Moazzem noted that fossil fuel investors dominate the global market. He said promoting renewable energy requires strong and practical arguments to compete with entrenched fossil fuel interests.
Monowar Mostafa, Networking Advisor of the Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), who chaired the session, highlighted the country’s dependence on imported energy, particularly in the transport sector. He said if young people can harness new technologies and renewable energy solutions, transforming the power and energy sector will become easier and Bangladesh can move faster towards green development.
Special guests at the closing ceremony included Taslima Islam Sharmi, Chief Coordinator of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Deputy Director of Shakti Foundation, Imran Ahmed and European Union Programme Manager Taif Hossain.
Earlier, the Olympiad was inaugurated on April 8 by Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapan. CLEAN Chief Executive Hasan Mehedi delivered the welcome address and presented the concept note, outlining the background of the initiative and stressing the critical role of youth in Bangladesh’s energy transition.
Speakers at the event underlined the importance of renewable energy, sustainable development and climate awareness, saying the two-day programme created a strong platform to raise awareness among students about energy transition and climate change. Organisers expressed hope that the initiative would encourage greater youth engagement in environmental and energy movements in the future.
The Green Energy Olympiad was first launched in 2025 with participation from more than 4,900 students representing over 150 colleges and universities. Government advisers, officials and civil society representatives also took part enthusiastically in the inaugural edition.
The second edition in 2026 again drew nearly 5,000 participants from more than 147 public and private educational institutions. Following a three-stage selection process, the top 50 students advanced to the final round held in Dhaka.
The Olympiad was organised by CLEAN and Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED). Co-organisers included ActionAid, BELA, Centre for Policy Dialogue, Centre for Renewable Energy Services Limited, Lawyers for Energy Environment and Development, Re-Global, JET-NET Bangladesh, Manusher Jonno Foundation and Transparency International Bangladesh along with around 32 development organisations.
