Despite hurdles, the country is committed to achieving its target of generating 40% of its energy from renewables by 2041, actively revisiting energy policies to ensure sustainability and sovereignty
Bangladesh faces several challenges in transitioning to renewable energy, said Environment, Forests, Climate Change, and Water Resources Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan, emphasising on the need for timely and equitable financial and technological support in this regard.
Despite hurdles, she said, the country is committed to achieving its target of generating 40% of its energy from renewables by 2041, actively revisiting energy policies to ensure sustainability and sovereignty.
The environment advisor was speaking at the side event “Road to Net Zero: Navigating the Energy Transition in South Asia” at the World Bank-IMF Pavilion during the World Climate Conference (COP-29) in Baku, Azerbaijan on Monday (November 18).
To reduce dependence on imported solar panels, Bangladesh has requested China to relocate solar manufacturing plants, Rizwana said.
“Policies on solar energy, including high taxes, are also under review. The potential of rooftop solar on high-rise buildings and unused government or tea estate lands is being explored as part of the solution.”
Meanwhile, addressing another event organized by UNFCCC, she noted that implementing Bangladesh’s updated NDC requires $176 billion by 2030, with $32 billion needed for unconditional actions. The remaining amount relies on international support, particularly through mechanisms like Article 6. Bangladesh is also preparing to submit its NDC 3.0 next year.
The advisor stressed the importance of partnerships with Germany and other global leaders in decarbonizing key industries like steel and cement, highlighting Bangladesh’s vision of “Three Zeros”—zero net carbon emissions, zero poverty, and zero unemployment, inspired by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus.
She emphasised the need for integrated natural resource management alongside carbon reduction and requested Germany’s assistance in cleaning rivers in Bangladesh. The advisor also invited global stakeholders to an international climate finance conference in Bangladesh in March 2025 and urged investment in building the capacity of young climate activists.
Later on, Rizwana attended a session on “Article 6 Implementation Partnership” at the Japan Pavilion. Organised by the Ministry of Environment of Japan, the session delved into market-based approaches for reducing emissions under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Rizwana asked Japan support for capacity building, technology transfer and investments.
