Dhaka, May 15, 2025 (PR) - A policy breakfast titled "Revisiting Energy Policies for Ensuring Clean Air" was held at the Conference Hall of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), jointly organized by the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), and the Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD).
The event was chaired by Professor Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam, Chairman of the Department of Geography and Environment at the University of Dhaka. Planner Sheikh Muhammad Mehedi Ahsan, General Secretary of BIP, gave the welcome address, while Professor Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Chairman of CAPS, presented the keynote paper.
In his keynote, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder emphasized the need for a pragmatic energy plan, enactment of a Clean Air Act, and the inclusion of strict standards to control air pollutants emitted from power plants in the 2022 Air Pollution Control Rules. He also called for strong administrative mechanisms and public-private partnerships with accountability in renewable energy financing. "Clean air is not a luxury—it is our constitutional right. Energy policy is not just about megawatts; it’s about public health, environmental protection, and economic prosperity," he added.
Abu Sayed Md. Kamruzzaman, Chief Executive Officer (Additional Secretary), Dhaka North City Corporation noted that Bangladesh had initiated nearly seven coal-based power plant projects, each acquiring around 700-1000 acres of mostly agricultural land. He warned that these plants are not only polluting the air but are also harmful to agriculture and biodiversity. He pointed out that although power demand and generation capacity are both high, poor transmission capacity leads to significant losses. A coordinated effort between production, demand, and transmission is crucial, he said.
Nayoka Martinez Bäckström, First Secretary and Deputy Head of Development Cooperation (Environment & Climate Change) of the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka, highlighted the support of many European partners for a clean and just energy transition through innovation in energy efficiency and renewable energy, and by enhancing grid connectivity, distribution, and storage. She noted that improving FDI conditions and enabling system-wide solutions would attract more actors. She also emphasized the importance of involving civil society organizations, researchers, think tanks, youth, and industry stakeholders in energy sector coordination.
Jacob Ferdinand, Green Growth Program Specialist of UNDP Bangladesh, stressed the need to consider environmental aspects in energy policymaking alongside political and economic dimensions. He noted that energy sources are closely linked with pollution. “We must reduce air pollution through strategic energy planning to achieve sustainable development goals,” he added.
Professor Dr. Adil Muhammad Khan, President of BIP, said that most of the energy currently generated to meet demand still comes from fossil fuels. However, energy demand can be reduced through increased public transport and greater use of renewable energy, which will also help in controlling urban air pollution.
Md. Shamsuddoha, Executive Director of CPRD, emphasized that policies should not be framed with a narrow nationalistic outlook but should align with global development agendas. He criticized policymakers for ignoring environmentally friendly development during planning. He stressed the need for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement, which is currently missing in national energy policies. He called for ensuring civil society participation in national-level policymaking.
Mohammad Fazle Reza Suman, Convener of the Advisory Board of BIP, suggested that rooftop management could be a key source of renewable energy for controlling pollution in Dhaka. “Merely discussing pollution and blaming the government is not enough. If we all take action in our own capacities, we can build a clean city without legal enforcement,” he remarked.
Dr. Md. Saifur Rahman, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, stressed the importance of political commitment for green development. He noted that while numerous laws and policies exist, enforcement remains poor. Tools must be developed to align implementation with objectives, along with increasing green finance, use of technology, and international cooperation. He informed that the government is currently revising its NDC and other policies. He also urged for science-based research and public engagement to inform policymaking.
Md. Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, Director of the Center for Energy Research (CER), said we are currently at a critical juncture and must transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. He referred to existing policies such as the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP), Air Pollution Control Rules 2022, Environment Conservation Rules 2023, Draft Renewable Energy Policy 2025, Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, Delta Plan 2100, and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), noted that a lack of coordination among all the policies. He also said weak implementation, and absence of strict pollution control standards. He called for making renewable energy and clean air the central focus of our development policy.
Barrister Rasheduzzaman Majumder, a lawyer of the Supreme Court, noted that none of the past energy policies have met their renewable energy production targets. He emphasized the need for harmonization across all energy policies, particularly amending the Energy Master Plan 2023 in light of the Renewable Energy Policy 2025.
Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Director at the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), urged both the interim and future governments to rely on local expert panels rather than foreign consultants for developing energy and other policies. He also stressed the importance of revising the Energy Master Plan.
Advocate Abdullah Al Noman, Chief Executive of Lawyers for Energy Environment and Development (LEED), criticized the IEPMP 2023 for lacking transparency and failing to meet environmental protection and public participation standards. He said national planning documents must align with the constitution and rule of law.
Professor Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam concluded by emphasizing the need to reduce energy consumption to a minimum and increase the use of renewable energy.
Other speakers at the policy breakfast included Dr. M Safiur Rahman, Chief Scientific Officer, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Center, Dhaka; Prof. Dr. Md. Hafizur Rahman, Independent University Bangladesh; Mrs. Sanjida Haque, Urban Planner, Dhaka North City Corporation; Farah Anjum, Bangladesh Lead, Global Strategic Communications Council (GSCC); Mrs. Roufa Khanom, Operations Coordinator, Center for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER); Md. Nasir Ahmed Patwary, Lecturer, Department of Environmental Science, Stamford University Bangladesh; Engr. Marziat Rahman, Research Lead, CAPS; Abu Jubayer, Managing Director, Sustainable Research and Consultancy Ltd. (SRCL); Engr. Md. Shahadat Hossain, CEO & Managing Director, O.CREEDS Ltd.; Abul Kalam Azad, Manager, ActionAid; Md. Jahangir Alam, Coordinator, BARCIK; Engr. Md. Saddam Hossain, Certified Energy Auditor, SREDA; Muhammad Anwarul Haque, Vice President, Dhaka Reporters’ Unity; Fahim Reza Shovon, Project Officer, Manusher Jonno Foundation; Fariha Sultana Omi, Chair, Brighters; Raihan Uddin Ahmed, Head of Environment, IDCOL; Planner Md. Abu Nayeem Shohag, Borad Member, BIP; Ahsan Rony, Executive Director, Mission Green Bangladesh, Shahed Israel Khan, Member, Bangladesh Biogas Development Foundation and Gaus Pieari, Director, WBB Trust, media representatives Ahmed Reza, Habibur Rahman, Md. Kefayet Ullah Chowdhury, Sazid Arafat and Jumatul Bida and representatives from various environmental organizations and students from different universities.
