No country immune from climate change consequences: PM

In her fourth point, Hasina said, “Our united actions can act as a force for the major emitting countries to declare their ambitious and aggressive NDCs to keep the global temperature rise at 1.5 degrees.”

“Fifth, transfer of clean and green technology to developing countries at affordable costs, including for meeting energy requirements, is very important. At the same time, the development needs of the CVF and the Commonwealth members will have to be taken into account,” she said.

“Finally,” Hasina said, “Together we must try to find pragmatic, inclusive and locally-led solutions to tackle climate change.”

Mentioning that climate change is a global and cross-border issue now, she said, “No country is immune from its grave consequences. The increased number of climate disasters and their impacts have brought the vulnerable countries to a tipping point of unalterable damage. These’re affecting global food, energy, health and economic securities.”

The Prime Minister said the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report gives a clear message that all have to take urgent and decisive actions to save our planet and the future generations.

She said the 48 members of the CVF account for only 5 percent of the total global emission. “However, the adverse impacts of climate change have posed fundamental threats to our lives and livelihoods.”

Besides, the Prime Minister said, the Covid-19 pandemic has proved the significance of effective cooperation and collaboration for robust, bold and responsive action by the international community.

“Our vulnerability and necessity for adequate climate finance and technology transfer must be recognised by the international community. The major emitting countries need to fulfill their obligations to support us in CVF efforts to cope with the effects of climate change,” she said.

Hasina said Bangladesh is often referred to as the Ground Zero for adverse impacts of climate change. “Despite our vulnerabilities and resource constraints, we have adopted exemplary initiatives to tackle climate change. Recently, we submitted an ambitious and updated NDC to the UNFCCC.”

Hasina said Bangladesh has launched the “Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan” to transform our climate vulnerability into climate prosperity by following a low-carbon development path.