Environmental and consumer rights organizations have urged the government to give top priority to renewable energy in the upcoming FY2026-27 national budget, citing growing global energy market volatility, rising fossil fuel costs, and Bangladesh’s long-term energy security needs.
The demand was made at a pre-budget press conference titled “Global Energy Crisis and Renewable Energy: Pre-Budget Dialogue for FY2026-27”, organized by the Centre for Natural Resource Studies and Advocacy (CLEAN), ISDE Bangladesh, and the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED) in Chattogram recently.
The event was chaired by Prof. Dr. Khaled Misbahuzzaman, President of Poribesh Protibesh Forum-Chattogram and Professor at the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong.
The keynote presentation was delivered by SM Nazer Hossain, Vice President of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) and Executive Director of ISDE Bangladesh.
Speakers warned that Bangladesh’s heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels has increased the country’s vulnerability to international price fluctuations and geopolitical uncertainties.
They noted that rising costs of oil, LNG and coal have increased electricity generation costs, subsidy burdens and overall living expenses.
Addressing the conference, Prof. Khaled Misbahuzzaman emphasized that renewable energy is essential for ensuring both climate resilience and long-term energy security.
He called for increased budgetary allocations for renewable energy research, innovation, technology development and capacity building.
