Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, has emphasized that all government agencies must transition to renewable energy within the next two to three years to set an example for the nation. “Mitigation is not just about how much we produce it is also about how responsibly we consume,” she said, urging a shift toward sustainable practices across all sectors.
She was speaking as the Chief Guest at the Opening Plenary Session of an international conference titled “Road to COP30: How Can National Interests Be Aligned with Global Climate Goals?” held today at BRAC Centre Inn, Dhaka, under the theme “A World Beyond Crisis: Climate Solutions That Work.”
Highlighting the country’s progress in environmental governance, the Advisor said that the Department of Environment (DoE), with support from the World Bank, is constructing green office complexes in various regions and developing a model for eco-friendly buildings in collaboration with architects and engineers to promote energy efficiency.
Rizwana Hasan warned that double counting of climate finance and weak global governance have undermined trust and slowed the flow of genuine support for climate adaptation. “If emissions from major economies continue to rise, technology transfer alone will not solve the problem,” she said, adding that Bangladesh must remain proactive in protecting its national interests, economic activities, and livelihoods.
She commended the government’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), noting that it reflects broad national ownership and participation from all relevant ministries and agencies. She has instructed the Department of Environment to prepare a comprehensive work plan with sector-specific emission reduction strategies for transport, agriculture, and industry, supported by clear timelines and measurable actions.
Referring to the newly established Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP), she informed that four working groups have been formed and directed that civil society organizations and academia be included to provide technical guidance and policy insights.
Addressing environmental degradation caused by traditional brick kilns, the Advisor called for a shift toward alternative building materials to curb carbon emissions, safeguard farmland, and prevent hill cutting. She proposed using dredged river sediment in brick production as a sustainable alternative to fertile topsoil.
Emphasizing adaptation priorities, she underscored the importance of coastal afforestation, rainwater harvesting, and low-cost desalination technologies to strengthen resilience in climate-vulnerable coastal regions. She urged development partners to extend both financial and technological assistance to help Bangladesh implement local solutions.
The session was chaired by Kushi Kabir, Member of the CPD Board of Trustees, and addressed by Dr. Ainun Nishat, Advisor, Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), BRAC University; Dr. Shah Abdul Saadi, Deputy Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD); Md. Ziaul Haque, Director, Department of Environment; Ulrich Kleppmann, Head of Development Cooperation, German Development Cooperation, Embassy of Germany; Mohammed Sohel, Director, BGMEA; Shirin Sultana Lira, Programme Manager, Embassy of Switzerland and Mousumi Perven, Senior Climate Change Officer, ADB.