Bangladesh is a very low carbon-emitting country -Energy Adviser to the Prime Minister, Bangladesh
Speaking of coal-based power plants, Tawfiq-e-Ilahi Chowdhury, Energy Adviser to the Prime Minister Bangladesh, said, “Bangladesh is a very low carbon-emitting country, and the promise of zero carbon emissions by 2050 does not apply to Bangladesh.”
He said, “We have not given any such promise anywhere. This target is not for us to achieve but for developed countries.”
He spoke at a meeting titled ” Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP)” at a hotel in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Japan’s Institute of Energy Economics are providing technical assistance to develop the Master Plan for 2050. JICA presented its plan at this time. One of the three parts of the plan was reference-based, one for the use of advanced technology and the other for zero emissions.
JICA reported during the presentation, “It is a balanced approach. Through this, environmental and social issues have been taken into consideration. This method coordinates technological excellence and carbon neutrality through international cooperation with measures taken to combat climate change.
Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, attending the event as the chief guest, said, “By 2041, 40 percent of the country’s electricity has promised to produce from clean sources, not from renewable sources.
Nuclear sources are the main source of clean energy in the future. Generation from nuclear sources also often has lower carbon emissions than solar power. Besides, we will have priority in using new technology.”
Tawfiq-e-Ilahi Chowdhury requested JICA to remove the ‘zero emissions’ part from the proposed master plan and to make a ‘reasonable proposal for Bangladesh.’
He further said, “We hope the significant polluting developed countries will keep their promises. When the Russia-Ukraine war is going on, fuel prices increase. European Union countries are trying to restart coal-based power plants in this situation.”
