Speakers at a round table discussion on Saturday called for climate finances to be solely grants based, claiming that climate financing in the form of loans is another form of injustice on the already tormented countries.
The discussion titled “Climate Diplomacy towards COP 27: Articulating the Country Position Together” was organised by the Center for Participatory Research and Development- CPRD and several other non-government development organisations at the Azimur Rahman Conference Hall of Daily Star Center in Dhaka, read a press release.
CPRD’s Chief Executive Md Shamsuddoha facilitated the entire discussion and presented the keynote of the event.
The discussion was held to determine and solidify the civil society organisations' (CSO) position at the upcoming 27th session of the conference of the parties (COP 27) to be held at Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt and helping the Bangladesh government thereby to frame the country strategy towards the conference.
The core discussion was contributed to by several legislators, climate change and policy experts, and CSO leaders, including lawmakers Tanvir Shakil Joy, Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary, Diakonia Bangladesh Country Director Khodeja Sultana Lopa, Shariatpur Development Society (SDS) Executive Director Rabeya Begum, Climate Bridge Fund Head Dr Golam Rabbani, Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) Deputy Director Dr Fazle Rabbi Sadek Ahmed, and Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) Chief Executive Md Arifur Rahman.
In the keynote speech, CPRD Chief Executive Shamsuddoha said, "the developed countries are yet to implement their duties and responsibilities for staving off climate change."
Pointing to the status quo of economic development and GHGs emission scenario around the globe, he said,
"Without a remarkable increase of GHG emission reduction targets and implementing those appropriately, the horse of climate change cannot be reined in anymore."
He also demanded that climate finances be solely grants-based, as climate financing in the form of loans is another injustice on the already tormented countries.
Lawmaker Tanvir Shakil Joy, the special guest of the discussion said, "Climate-induced migrants have become a great concern for us. We are shouting from our side, but there is no promising initiative as yet. The developed countries are trying to translate it as our way to claim help, but the fact does indicate an opposite scenario”.
Climate Bridge Fund Head Dr Golam Rabbani pointed out that the fund requirement for addressing climate change is soaring very rapidly.
"For instance, by 2030, the fund requirement for compensating L&D will stand at $580 billion. We are still far away from establishing 50 per cent of climate finances for adaptation."
"70 per cent of the finances at present are loans, imposing a heavy burden of debt on the already indebted countries, and we should raise our voice to reverse this practice."
The event's other special guest Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary, and PKSF Deputy Director Dr Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed also delivered speeches at the discussion.
