EU, Bangladesh climate specialists set out expectations for COP26 meet

The EU Delegation to Bangladesh organised a roundtable on climate change ahead of the COP26 meet scheduled to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from October 31.

Eminent climate specialists set out their expectations for the COP, including what it should deliver for Bangladesh, how the EU and Bangladesh should work together before and after COP26 and what needs to be done to build climate resilience?

The recently posted Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Bangladesh, Charles Whiteley, opened the discussion, underlining the important role played by both Bangladesh and the EU in the climate discourse and recognising Bangladesh’s leading role in the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF).

The envoy highlighted the EU’s Climate Law, which enshrined in legislation EU commitments, including accomplishing “climate neutrality” by 2050, said a press release.

EU Delegation representatives also took stock of the EU’s Climate Adaptation Strategy published in last August and the Team Europe Initiative on Green Energy Transition, which will support the fulfilment of Bangladesh’s energy needs through renewable energy.

Executive Director of Centre for Policy Dialogue, Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Professor Emeritus, BRAC University, Dr. Ainun Nishat, Major General Muniruzzaman (retd) from the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies, International Centre for Climate Change and Development official Dr. Mizanur Rahman Khan and Dr. Atiq Rahman from Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies, and UNDP climate specialist, AK Mamunur Rashid, among others, took part in the event.

The need for ensuring that the pledges on climate finance are met, carrying out technology transfer and capacity building, preserving ambition to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, keeping in mind the imperative of international discussion on climate-induced migration and understanding the impact of Covid 19 were highlighted by the experts.

Also present at the event were officials of the EU Delegation to Bangladesh, Jeremy Opritesco, Dario Trombetta and Towheed Feroze.