Climate Change: Wealthier Nations Must Deliver Finances for Developing Countries to Adapt
The time for excuses is over, says Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Bangladesh’s Special Envoy for Climate Change in the Prime Minister’s Office. In an exclusive interview with IPS, Chowdhury stressed that climate change is at the forefront of Bangladesh’s focus, as one in seven people in the country face the impacts of rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and other effects of climate change.
Chowdhury emphasized that the world’s wealthiest nations must deliver the finances needed for developing countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change. He noted that Bangladesh is a low-lying, densely populated country that is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and is committed to leading the way in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The Special Envoy pointed out that Bangladesh has already taken steps to reduce its emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. He cited the country’s commitment to renewable energy, such as solar, wind, and hydro, as well as its efforts to protect its coastal areas from sea level rise. He also noted that Bangladesh is working to increase its forest cover and expand its protected areas, and is committed to sustainable development.
Chowdhury also noted that Bangladesh is in desperate need of assistance from wealthier nations in order to continue to make progress in adapting to climate change. He said that the country has identified the areas that require the most urgent attention, such as coastal protection, water management, and agricultural adaptation, and is ready to take action. However, he said that the country lacks the resources needed to implement these measures.
He called on wealthier nations to provide the financial resources needed for developing countries to adapt to the effects of climate change. He noted that Bangladesh is already facing an economic burden from the impacts of climate change, and that the costs of adaptation will only increase in the future. Therefore, he said, it is essential that wealthier nations provide the resources needed to help Bangladesh and other vulnerable countries adapt to climate change.
Chowdhury also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in addressing the global climate crisis. He noted that developing countries are not the only ones affected by climate change, and that wealthier nations must also take responsibility for their contributions to the problem. He called for a “global pact” that would commit all countries to taking action to reduce emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.
In conclusion, Chowdhury stressed that the time for excuses is over and that wealthier nations must deliver the finances needed for developing countries to adapt to climate change. He noted that Bangladesh is already taking steps to reduce its emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change, but needs assistance from wealthier nations in order to continue to make progress. He called for a global pact to ensure that all countries take responsibility for their contributions to the climate crisis, and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing the issue.
