Bangladesh stands on the front line of climate change while contributing less than 0.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said on Thursday, setting out five demands for the world’s climate talks.
“We all know that Bangladesh is on the front line of climate change,” he said. “Despite these challenges, the government of Bangladesh is committed to building a trillion-dollar climate-resilient and sustainable economy.” Guided by its “Bangladesh First” philosophy, he said, the government believes economic growth and environmental protection must go hand in hand.
“In our industrialisation and development we must protect nature and keep the environmental balance,” he said.
Rahman was speaking at the high-level segment of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) on 12 November 2026. He thanked the government of Türkiye for hosting COP31 and Australia for leading the negotiations.
He said the elected government has set a target of meeting 20 percent of the country’s electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030, a step taken towards net-zero emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. With the help of special tax incentives, Bangladesh is working towards 4,000 megawatts of solar power, he said, and is also encouraging waste-to-energy projects.
The government is promoting green industry, he said, including some 300 LEED-certified garment factories, and is expanding clean transport, including electric vehicles. “We are promoting eco-friendly products such as jute bags. We are also building a national framework for carbon trading.”
The government plans to plant 250 million trees over the next five years, he said. Alongside the Padma Barrage and the Teesta Barrage master plan, Bangladesh is dredging 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals to hold water, reduce flood risk, revive wetlands and raise the groundwater table. Mangroves are being restored on reclaimed coastal land to protect communities and strengthen climate resilience.
The prime minister said the world’s climate finance system is still inadequate and does not properly take account of the needs and priorities of developing countries. Climate losses are placing a heavy burden on Bangladesh’s economy, he said, while rising debt repayments and limited financial resources make matters harder. “Climate-vulnerable countries need grants, not more loans that add to their debt,” he said. They also need reliable financial support, access to modern technology and stronger backing for adaptation.
Following the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities”, Bangladesh called for five urgent steps:
First, at least 50 percent of international climate finance should go to adaptation, according to each country’s priorities, while efforts to cut emissions are also supported.
Second, emergency debt relief for climate-vulnerable countries, including climate-resilient debt clauses and debt-for-climate swaps.
Third, fair access to clean climate technology, with the support developing countries need to have it transferred to them.
Fourth, a faster shift to renewable energy through affordable finance, skills development and a just energy transition.
Fifth, the adoption at COP31 of the Belém-Antalya Action Mechanism for a just energy transition, built on fair finance and fair trade.
“We must also make sure that women and young people take part in climate action,” he said. “We must create decent green jobs and cut global emissions to keep the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal within reach.”
Bangladesh hopes for a successful COP31 with meaningful, balanced and ambitious results, especially for the countries most vulnerable to climate change, the prime minister said. “Let us turn our commitments into reality. Let us strengthen global solidarity and build a sustainable future together.”
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report