Bangladesh Committed to Building Trillion-Dollar Climate-Resilient Economy: PM Tarique Rahman at COP31
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman affirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to building a trillion-dollar, climate-resilient, and sustainable economy while addressing the High-Level Segment of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) on Thursday. Guided by the philosophy of “Bangladesh Before All,” the Prime Minister emphasized that industrialization and economic growth must progress alongside ecological preservation, noting that Bangladesh stands on the frontline of climate devastation despite contributing less than 0.5 percent to global greenhouse gas emissions. Outlining the nation’s green transition roadmap, he stated that the government aims to generate 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, backed by tax incentives to develop 4,000 megawatts of solar power, waste-to-energy projects, electric transport, and a national carbon-trading framework, alongside nearly 300 LEED-certified garment factories already operating across the country.
Highlighting massive domestic environmental restoration efforts, the Prime Minister announced plans to plant 250 million trees over the next five years and excavate 20,000 kilometers of rivers and canals—alongside the Padma and Teesta Barrage Master Plans and coastal mangrove restoration—to reduce flood risks and recharge groundwater. Turning to global climate finance, he criticized the current system for burdening developing nations with loans rather than providing essential grants. Guided by the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities, Tarique Rahman urged the international community to take five decisive actions: allocating at least 50 percent of climate finance to adaptation, introducing debt-relief tools like Debt-for-Climate Swaps, ensuring fair green technology transfers, accelerating renewable energy transitions with affordable financing, and adopting the Belem-Antalya Action Mechanism to protect vulnerable economies and create decent green jobs for women and youth.
