Affected farming and fishing communities held a protest yesterday at the site of the proposed Matarbari coal plant Phase 2, demanding that the Bangladesh government abandon plans to revive the controversial project.
The action was part of Draw the Line, a global week of mobilization (September 19-21) to demand urgent climate action, building momentum towards the UN climate talks COP30.
In 2022, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) withdrew funding from Matarbari Phase 2 due to environmental concerns, after sustained pressure from international and local civil society organizations.
Bangladesh officials recently indicated intentions to seek alternative funding sources to proceed with the 1,200 MW coal plant, to the dismay of climate group 350.org Bangladesh.
"The world is moving away from coal, yet Bangladesh continues to burden its people with expensive, polluting projects that will lock us into decades of environmental destruction and debt," said Amanullah Porag, 350.org South Asia Mobilizations Coordinator.
According to the International Energy Agency, after reaching a new high in 2024, global demand for coal is set to decline in the coming years, as renewable energy costs plummet.
Over 40 countries have committed to phasing out coal power, and major financiers worldwide are divesting from coal projects.
