Civil society organisations (CSOs) have urged the Bangladesh government to adopt a self-reliant approach to combating climate change, criticising the inadequacy of the $300 billion global pledge made at CoP-29.
The pledge, they argued, falls significantly short of the $1.3 trillion required annually and risks creating unhealthy competition among developing nations for resources.
The recommendations were presented at a press conference titled “CoP-29 Outcome: Bangladesh Should Focus on Self-Dependent Climate Planning”, held at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity on Thursday (5 December), said a press release.
Representatives from several CSOs, including Md Shamsuddoha (Centre for Participatory Research and Development), Jahangir Hossen Masum (Coastal Development Partnership), Md Kawsar Rahman and Motahar Hossen (Bangladesh Climate Journalist Forum), and Sharif Jamil (Water Keepers), participated. The event was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury from EquityBD, with a keynote presentation by Md Abul Hasan of COAST Foundation.
In his keynote, Md Abul Hasan highlighted that the CoP-29 agreements neglected the interests of the most vulnerable countries (MVCs), particularly in closing the gap between mitigation and adaptation financing and addressing non-economic losses under Loss and Damage Financing (LDF). The $300 billion annual commitment, he noted, falls far short of the $1.3 trillion demanded and lacks the necessary modalities and frameworks to benefit climate-vulnerable nations.
He proposed several measures for the Bangladesh government, including:
- Developing strategies independent of global support to combat climate impacts.
- Revising the existing strategic climate plan to focus on locally mobilised resources through participatory and demand-driven approaches.
- Avoiding overly ambitious revisions to the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in preparation for the CoP-30 global stocktake in 2025.
- Md Shamsuddoha critiqued CoP-29 for disregarding the 1.5-degree Celsius temperature goal by failing to provide a clear transition from fossil fuels.
- He accused developed nations of institutionalising neoliberal policies in climate financing, shifting the burden onto developing countries, and called for an overhaul of what he described as a "colonial" financing system.
Md Kawsar Rahman warned against allowing private sector and multilateral development banks (MDBs) to dominate climate financing, which he termed a "profiteering approach." He advocated for unified pressure on developed countries to ensure grant-based financing, rather than loans, for MVCs.
Jahangir Hossen expressed disappointment with the government's lack of innovative strategies in engaging civil society to strengthen negotiation capacity.
He urged immediate preparation for CoP-30, emphasising the pivotal role Brazil, as the next CoP presidency, could play in advocating for MVC interests.
Motahar Hossen advised the government not to pursue financing without adequate preparation and capacity.
Instead, he recommended mobilising climate experts, civil society, and other stakeholders to play effective roles in upcoming climate negotiations.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury criticised the consultancy- and loan-dependent nature of current plans, such as the Delta Plan 2030. He urged the government to review all development and climate-related strategies, basing them on local knowledge and resources.
The CSOs collectively emphasised that Bangladesh must take decisive, independent action to address its climate vulnerabilities, advocating for locally driven solutions over reliance on global commitments.
