Dhaka – Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB), an international non-government organization working as a catalyst of social movement
against corruption, has found no existence of 10 NGOs out of 63, which were given allocation of projects under Bangladesh Climate Change
Trust Fund (BCCTF) to face climate change vulnerability.
Besides, nine NGOs got project allocation from the BCCTF in political consideration, executive members of more 13 NGOs are involved in
politics and one NGO got project allocation even after cancellation of its registration by Micro-credit Regularity Authority.
This was revealed by a TIB study on “Climate Financing in Bangladesh: Challenges for Good Governance and Way Forward’.” The study conducted
by a group of researchers led by Mahfuzul Haque was disclosed at a press conference at CIRDAP auditorium in the city on Thursday.
TIB assistant project coordinator of the Climate Finance and Governance Project (CFGP) Mohwa Rouf made a presentation at the press
conference on the study.
TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, deputy executive director Dr Sumaiya Khair, CFGP coordinator Zakir Hossain and research
associate Mahfuzur Rahman were also present on the occasion.
According to the study, the allocation of projects was lesser in climate vulnerable areas in the country including coastal districts
Satkhira and Khulna and no project was allocated in Satkhira. It shows only 1.2 per cent project allocation was given in Satkhira while 6.5
per cent in Khulna whereas four projects were allocated in Tangail and 1 each in Rajshahi and Dhaka.
“As per the risk map of the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP) 2009, only 6.5 percent and 1.2 percent of total
disbursement of the BCCTF allocated for Khulna and Satkhira respectively. However, no allocation has gone to Bagerhat so far from
the fund, said the study report.
The report said the government has undertaken a total of 139 climate projects involving US$ 340 million from the BCCTF to cope with the
adverse impacts of climate change.
The report shows a significant part of the fund of about 32 percent was allocated for the Local Government, Rural development and
Cooperatives Ministry while about 11.55 percent for the Ministry of Environment and Forests to implement climate projects and the Women
and Child Affairs Ministry was given the lowest fund of only .05 per cent.
The highest amount of BCCTF money of 38.48 per cent was spent in the projects for food security and social safety and health and the lowest
amount of 1.25 per cent was spent for infrastructure, said the report.
The TIB study report was prepared after assessing two climate projects funded by BCCTF and conducting case studies on three climate projects
implemented by NGOs with funds from the BCCTF in between September 12, 2012 and September 12, 2013.
Addressing the press conference, TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman urged the government to ensure the optimum disclosure
of information at all stages in allocation of climate fund, and selection and implementation of climate projects to make the entire
process transparent.
He said local people’s involvement is not visible in implementing the climate projects.
“People’s involvement in implementing climate projects is essential to make those transparent and check graft,” he added.
Iftekharuzzaman expressed his concern over shortcomings of good governance and identification of corruption in the management of
climate fund.
He suggested the World Bank that works as a coordinator not to mix up loan money with resilience fund.
On construction of coal-based power plant in Rampal, it has given a wrong signal from international arena over Bangladesh that faces
climate vulnerability.
“International quarters have already expressed their concern over construction of power plant near the Sundarbans…We also want the power
plant be constructed at a safe distance from the Sundarbans that protect us from natural calamities. The existing project site at
Rampal is not suitable for the project,” he added.
