Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, has called for unified efforts to tackle climate change’s challenges. Speaking as the chief guest at the Capacity Building Workshop on Paris Agreement Article 6 Implementation, held at the Department of Environment, Agargaon, on Wednesday, she emphasized the importance of minimizing environmental harm while striving to meet mitigation targets.
“Market-driven solutions have a role, but my humble request is to prepare ourselves for the challenges of climate change. Together, we must work to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Failure to do so will endanger the existence of vulnerable countries like ours. Let the urgency of this crisis inspire us to achieve our future aspirations,” she stated.
Highlighting the potential of market mechanisms, she said, “Mitigating through trading comes with a price, but it also offers opportunities to improve governance standards and operational efficiency. For instance, Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in the energy sector can address gas emissions and improve efficiency across industries.”
She also underscored air pollution’s health impacts, particularly on rural women using inefficient stoves. “With modest investment, we can scale up initiatives that save lives by targeting air quality improvements. The government is focusing on investments that prioritize saving lives over creating extravagant infrastructure,” she remarked.
Discussing climate justice, Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, “The demand for climate justice must center on mitigation. While countries like Bangladesh have had voluntary obligations historically, the Paris Agreement now extends this framework globally. Mechanisms like Article 6 and Article 6.4 pose challenges in ensuring fair responsibility sharing, but they also offer opportunities for carbon trading and collaboration.”
Cox’s Bazar Life Desk
