A coalition of 39 civil society organizations bannered under Climate Justice Alliance-Bangladesh called for the cancellation of the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP) 2022-2041 which, they considered, was formulated in an undemocratic process and designed solely to implement the political ambitions of the then government. They also demanded radical reform of Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund- BCCTF and the Climate Change Trust Act, 2010 to prevent syndicated corruption in funding decision and implementation. The Alliance made this demand in a press conference at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Auditorium of National Press Club in Dhaka.
The Alliance, which often raises critical concerns for a rights-based policy response to the impacts of climate change, appreciates the intent of the current interim government on the structural reform that would ensure justice and equitable development across all sections of the society. Aligning with the broader reform agenda, the Alliance emphasizes urgency for revision, extension, and reform of the existing climate plans and policies to ensure they are just and equitable. It questioned undemocratic practices in planning process dominated by ‘syndicated interest’ of the political government, its allied bureaucrats and elite consultants. It termed the existing plans and policies undemocratic and demanded immediate shutting down of all the avenues of corruption in their implementation.
Md Shamsudohha, Coordinator of Climate Justice Alliance-Bangladesh, facilitated the press conference and provided a brief overview of the political economy context of the development of the country’s key climate plans.
Prof. Ahmed Kamruzzaman Mazumder of Stamford University criticized the loopholes of Bangladesh’s National Adaptation Plan that has not been developed in the context of vulnerability arising from the country’s geographical diversity. He called for the localization of the National Adaptation Plan and formulation of a Local Adaptation Plan by assessing location-specific climate vulnerabilities.
Md. Nasir Uddin Faruk, Deputy Executive Director, Shushilan, pointed to the existing lack of coordination among government and non-government entities, lack of good governance in project implementation, and issues with ensuring finance flow to areas and communities with higher vulnerability, etc. Therefore, he urged for revision, extension, and reformation of the climate plans and policies formulated so far.
Among others, Tamanna Rahman, Thematic Lead- Climate and Resilience, Practical Action, Md. Ahsanul Wahed, DM, MJF, Farhan Hossin Joy, Research Consultant, Nagorik Uddyog and some senior officials in the leading positions of other CSOs and development organizations spoke at the event.
