Climate justice must ensure rights and freedom of the vulnerable, says Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called on countries to adopt an inclusive form of climate justice that ensures the rights and freedom of the vulnerable.

Reazul Bashar from New Yorkbdnews24.com
Published : 20 Sept 2017, 06:18 AM
Updated : 20 Sept 2017, 06:55 AM

As a country at particular risk due to climate change, Bangladesh has a different philosophical approach to the issue, Hasina told the ‘Summit on Global Pact for the Environment’ organised by French President Emmanuel Macron at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Tuesday.

“Addressing climate change is about ensuring enjoyment of human rights, justice and fundamental freedom for people at the bottom,” she said.

“Climate change thus needs to be placed within the wider narrative of ensuring peace, stability, prosperity and addressing inequalities across societies.”

The prime minister outlined four factors that she believes to be essential to the Global Pact for the Environment initiative: a robust legal system that focuses on climate justice and historical responsibility, identifying actors to implement adaptation and mitigation measures with a focus on vulnerable countries, allowing the right to development to meet needs of present and future generations and international support for victims of climate change.

“I would like to stress that -- as we talk about a global pact on environment -- we have to take into account those who have less.”

The prime minister also touted Bangladesh’s actions on climate change, such as the $400 million it invested in the National Climate Change Fund, the 1 percent of GDP it spends to combat climate change, and the National Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.

Hasina also thanked President Macron for taking the initiative to launch the global pact.