Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) today laid emphasis on establishing bilateral partnership between Bangladesh and Australia to accelerate adoption of green and renewable technologies, energy efficient systems, and smart grid solutions.
CPD, a think tank, urged the authorities concerned to expand collaboration in solar, wind, hydro and other renewable energy sectors to boost Bangladesh's renewable energy capacity with Australian technology and investment.
CPD made the call at an event on ‘Bangladesh-Australia: Climate Policy and the Green Energy Transition' held at a hotel in the city.
Adviser for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Australian Ambassador for Climate Change Kristin Tilley and Country Manager of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Bangladesh Martin Holtmann took part in the discussion at the event.
Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle delivered the introductory remarks and CPD Research Director Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem delivered the Keynote speech with CPD Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun in the chair.
About green transition, Rizwana Hasan said people are committed to green transition and renewable energy but present problematic power plant deals that were struck in the past are making the green transition slow.
"We are suffering from climate change to which we didn't contribute. On the other hand, we are taking loans that our next generations will have to pay. It's a double jeopardy for a country like us,” she added.
The adviser urged Australia to finance the climate initiative either as grant or concessional loan.
Describing the burden of energy bills on financial health of the country Rizwana said, "It is very important for Bangladesh to think about whether an energy market should be import reliant. Prices vary, markets are volatile. The financial burden we have on our shoulders in the energy sector alone eats up a lot of financial resources that we have in hand."
"For the past 2-3 years, it has been said we don't have potential in local energy. Investing heavily in the import reliant energy sector gets even more problematic," she opined.
Susan Ryle outlined the actions that the Australian government is doing globally.
"We are working with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Bangladesh to unlock commercial investments in the power sector and explore pathways to achieve net-zero in the energy sector. We understand the importance of building regional clean energy supply chains,” she added.
Golam Moazzem laid emphasis on strengthening joint research efforts on a climate resilient infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and increased funding for green initiatives.
