On Tuesday October 27th, the Delegation of the European Union, BRAC, and the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) of BRAC University organized a workshop titled “Growth and Climate Change: Opportunities and Challenges in Bangladesh”. This half day event was an opportunity for strategic policy dialogue and technical contributions in preparation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 21st Conference of the Parties (CoP) that will take place in Paris in December. Presentations of global initiatives and reports on climate change by representatives of development partners were complemented by interventions by high Government officials, the private sector, civil society and researchers from C3ER, BRAC University.
The Hon’ble Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Anisul Islam Mahmud addressed the audience as Chief Guest, highlighting the need to adopt the right policies and adaptation measures to address vulnerability. He also stressed the importance of engaging communities in the sustainable management of resources and infrastructure, along with the critical need for enhanced regional cooperation. Mr. Mohammad Mejbahuddin, Senior Secretary, Economic Relation Division, Ministry of Finance, delivered remarks as Special Guest.
EU Ambassador Pierre Mayaudon said: “The Paris conference will be a historic opportunity to accelerate the shift to a low-carbon, climate-resilient global economy. People around the world are looking to their leaders for a signal that they are ready and willing to take decisive action to tackle climate change. The EU and its Member States are committed to doing their part and working with our partners to ensure that Paris is a success.”
Virtually all countries of the world will gather together at the Paris climate conference (COP21) to conclude a new global climate change agreement. The EU is committed to ensuring the adoption of a legally binding, ambitious and fair international agreement applicable to all countries that is capable of keeping the global average temperature rise below 2°C and avoiding dangerous climate change.
EU cooperation on climate change and sustainable consumption & production patterns in Bangladesh
The EU is at the forefront of cooperation on climate change around the world and in Bangladesh. In this context and as part of the Global Climate Change Alliance+ Flagship Initiative of the European Commission, a new project has just been approved for Bangladesh, in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government, UNDP and UNCDF: a EUR 8 million project titled “Support for Enhancing Communities’ Resilience to Climate Change and Related Disasters”. Also, two additional projects are just about to be signed to promote sustainable consumption&production in the food and brick-making industries, in partnership with SNV and OXFAM respectively, with a total amout of EUR 3.6 million.
