Earth can be save only by shared responsibility, Hasina tells Paris One Planet Summit

Calling on the developed world to fulfil their pledges on climate change, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says only shared responsibility can save the planet.

Sumon Mahbub, from Parisbdnews24.com
Published : 12 Dec 2017, 06:45 PM
Updated : 12 Dec 2017, 07:05 PM

Addressing the One Planet Summit in the French capital, she has also announced that her administration will initiate measures to increase tree coverage by two percent in Bangladesh within the next five years.

“I would like to urge the developed countries to fulfil their commitments in bringing climate justice and meeting historical responsibility. We can secure the world only through shared responsibility.”

The summit at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday brought together local, regional and national leaders, as well as those working in public and private finance to chalk out ways to boost support global efforts to fight climate change.

The prime minister said Bangladesh spends more than one percent of its GDP on combating climate change despite being a developing nation.

“Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to the impact of climate change although we are not responsible for this threat. Yet, with our limited resources, we are addressing the consequences of climate change by mitigation and adaptation.”

French President Emmanuel Macron received Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina upon her arrival at the Elysse Place in Paris, where the One Planet Summit was held on Tuesday. Photo: PID

During her speech at the summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, the Bangladesh leader said Bangladesh faces a huge challenge because of the influx of more than a million of Rohingya people from Myanmar.

“On humanitarian ground, we have given them shelter on 1, 783 hectares of our forest land in Cox’s Bazar. This crisis has severely affected our forest and environment in that area. In this situation, climate adaptation has become a major challenge.” 

Emphasising afforestation as a key factor to address environment degradation, she said a $50.76 million project is under way for conservation of the Sundarbans— the world’s largest mangrove forest.

“In the coastal region, we have been creating green belt for protecting people from cyclones and tidal surges, coastal erosion and saline water intrusion. Around 67,000 hectares of land has been identified for afforestation in this region,” added the prime minister.

Bangladesh has stepped up efforts to make its agriculture climate resilient, she said.

“We are also working on reducing dependency on ground water for urban water supply.”

Appreciating Macron’s leadership on the issue, Hasina reiterated her commitment to implement the 2015 Paris climate accord. “I recall the launching of Global Pact for the Environment at the UN in September this year.”

The prime minister said she strongly believed that joint efforts for resilience and adaption “would contribute in peace, stability and prosperity, and addressing inequalities across societies.”