Bangladesh faces a double whammy: its loss-making power sector, hooked on fossil fuels, is the top polluter and a economic black hole. Contributing 28 percent to air pollution via carbon-heavy emissions, it’s pushing the nation toward an environmental tipping point. Reports underscore the urgency of reform.
The Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED) has rolled out a bold 13-point citizen declaration for a fair energy overhaul. Fossil dependency’s toll is clear—$18.5 billion in idle capacity fees, $27.23 billion BPDB deficits, and $11.72 billion annual fuel import bills battering reserves.
Subsidies on dirty fuels must taper off, making renewables attractive for homes, factories, and commerce. No green light for fresh coal, gas, or oil plants; instead, safeguard jobs for phased-out workers. Ban new LNG terminals and enforce zero tolerance for gas leaks and pilferage.
BWGED demands a national roadmap with firm timelines, embedded in policies, and robust budgets for solar and wind. Eliminate duties on solar gear. For transport’s pollution share, slash EV import taxes, waive battery tariffs, and electrify buses and fleets.
Central to the vision is ‘just transition,’ empowering marginalized voices—women, indigenous peoples, rural workers—with green skills training, jobs, and loans. Block energy projects encroaching on farms; incentivize agrisolar solutions.
This roadmap equips future leaders to pivot to sustainability, trimming costs and emissions. Commitment here is key to Bangladesh’s resilient tomorrow.