Dhaka, July 28, 2026: Bangladesh is stepping up efforts to establish a transparent, accountable and effective carbon market framework, with the government calling for stronger coordination among ministries and stakeholders to safeguard national interests while unlocking new opportunities for climate finance and green investment.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo made the remarks at an inter-ministerial meeting on the proposed Bangladesh Carbon Market Framework, held at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by Environment Secretary Dr Fahmida Khanam.
Mintoo said an international carbon market could create significant opportunities for Bangladesh by attracting climate finance, facilitating technology transfer and encouraging environmentally sustainable investment. However, he stressed that environmental integrity, transparency and accountability must be ensured, while guaranteeing fair benefits for local communities and other stakeholders.
He noted that carbon markets could play an important role in implementing Bangladesh’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Achieving this, he said, requires robust accounting, monitoring and verification of greenhouse gas emission reductions and removals in line with international standards.
The draft Bangladesh Carbon Market Framework has been prepared under the overall supervision of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in its role as the Article 6 Designated National Authority (A6 DNA), with technical support from the World Bank’s Partnership for Market Implementation (PMI) programme.
Speaking at the meeting, State Minister for Environment Sheikh Faridul Islam said Bangladesh has witnessed limited private-sector carbon trading initiatives, but government-led carbon trading has yet to begin. He said the Prime Minister has directed the authorities to launch the system as quickly as possible.
He also announced plans to plant 20 million trees in Bangladesh’s coastal areas during December and January, adding that the government is exploring ways to generate carbon credits from the large-scale afforestation programme.
Dr Md Saimum Parvez, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said Bangladesh has not yet entered the international carbon market and urged all relevant agencies to expedite preparations for participation.
Environment Secretary Dr Fahmida Khanam said the proposed framework would be refined based on recommendations from ministries, government agencies and technical experts to ensure it is both practical and effective. Once finalised, it will establish a clear institutional mechanism for approving carbon credit projects, monitoring and verifying emissions reductions, maintaining carbon accounting systems and distributing revenues.
During the meeting, Joint Secretary Dharitri Kumar Sarkar presented the draft framework, while representatives from the Economic Relations Division, Energy and Mineral Resources Division, Power Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Road Transport and Highways Division, Planning Division and several other government agencies provided comments and recommendations.
Participants agreed that the draft framework would be revised in light of the feedback received before being finalised, paving the way for Bangladesh’s participation in international carbon markets and strengthening the country’s climate finance architecture.
