EU calls for concerted efforts in Bangladesh ahead of ‘decisive’ Paris climate talks

European Union ambassador to Bangladesh Pierre Mayaudon has stressed a “legally binding” new international climate deal in the Paris summit in December.

He on Tuesday said it was “essential” to secure a “fair, ambitious and legally binding” new international climate as soon as possible in view of climate change risks.

“The year 2015 is a decisive year for climate negotiations,” Mayaudon said while observing the ‘EU-Bangladesh Climate Diplomacy Day’ in Dhaka.

This December, the governments of 196 countries will meet in Paris to try and forge a new global agreement on climate change.

All countries are expected to set the limits of their future emissions.

Those commitments will come into effect from 2020, when the current pledges end.

It is expected that the developed countries will commit absolute cuts from 2020, while developing nations will assure carbon emission curbs.

The ambassador said serious risks were associated to climate change, so “a swift transition to a low carbon future offers numerous opportunities: the sooner we act together, the greater the benefit”.

Marking the day, the EU delegation in Dhaka, jointly with the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), hosted a multi-stakeholder climate change dialogue.

Participants at the dialogue also highlighted the importance and benefits of enhancing climate action in all countries, and striking a new international climate deal in Paris.

Environment and Forests Secretary Kamal Uddin Ahmed stressed partnership between the 28-nation bloc and Bangladesh for “sustained mitigation and effective adaptation actions”.

Articulated and coordinated actions need

The EU was the first to put an ambitious emission reduction blueprint on the table, based on its new EU Climate and Energy Framework 2030 that received global appreciation.

It is anticipated that about half the total amount allocated for the Green Climate Fund will come from the EU Member States. They have already collected 4 billion euros.

Ambassador Mayaudon said climate debates were on around the world “but I would defend that there are few countries where it is as relevant as it is in Bangladesh”.

“First because we all know that Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries, maybe, even the most vulnerable country, when it comes to the impact of climate change on the population.

Climate change has already begun affecting the lives of many in Bangladesh, posing a challenge to efforts to combat poverty.

A recent Human Rights Watch study established a correlation between climate change and child marriage in Bangladesh, since growing poverty due to loss of land was forcing parents to marry their daughters while still younger.

“This gives a special voice to Bangladesh on the international scene,” the ambassador said.

For this voice to be properly heard and acknowledged, he called for “articulated and coordinated” action from all sectors, including environment, energy, education, infrastructure, agriculture and many others.

“A wide and coherent approach is critical for the sustainability and the inclusivity of the growth and development model of Bangladesh,” he said.

Marking the climate diplomacy day, the EU also displayed photos showcasing some of the best joint EU-Bangladesh climate finance projects at a Dhaka hotel on Tuesday.

Youths have been awarded for their best photos, selected through a Facebook competition, highlighting climate change impacts.

Representatives from the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies, EOS Textile Mills Ltd, and Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company presented different aspects of the Paris summit at the discussion.

British High Commissioner Robert Gibson, French ambassador Sophie Aubert, government officials, and representatives of international organizations, NGOs, private sector, research bodies, youths and media attended the discussion with PKSF Chairman Prof Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad in the chair.