Environmentalist Activist Protest in Barisal, Bangladesh, demanding renewable energy
Environmental activists in Barisal formed a human chain and held a protest rally, urging the World Bank to focus on renewable energy. The program was held on Fazlul Haque Avenue in the city on November 14’s morning.
The event was organized by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, and Environmental Action, and BWGED on Ecology and Development.
The speakers suggested that the World Bank should increase its investment in renewable energy, including solar, wind, and other low-carbon technologies.
It should also shift away from fossil fuel projects and ineffective technologies labeled as clean energy, like carbon capture and storage.
The World Bank’s funded technologies aren’t effectively tackling the climate crisis. We need to increase investment in renewable energy for reliable and sustainable solutions.
Speakers criticized the World Bank’s investment policy, stating that funds are still going to outdated technologies that hinder climate change efforts.
The World Bank, despite its policy against investing in fossil fuels, has invested millions in the Rupsha 800 MW and Siddhirganj 335 MW combined cycle power plants.
The World Bank is investing in technologies like energy mix and carbon capture, but their effectiveness is still uncertain. The World Bank and the IMF should exit investments in fossil fuels and increase investments in renewable energy.
The speakers urged the World Bank to revise its investment policy to support renewable and sustainable energy in Bangladesh’s energy sector.
The protest and human chain included Subhankar Chakraborty and Advocate Subhash Das from the Forum on Ecology and Development, Khorshed Alam CEO of Parjatan Corporation, and others.
