‘Accept your failure to check carbon emission’

Global leaders have entirely failed to check carbon emission and reduce climate change risks, particularly at the affected countries like Bangladesh, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said today.

"We want the global leaders to acknowledge their fault and failure. Then, they should be more responsible and implement the commitments which they have made in several treaties," said Iftekharuzzaman.

He came up the remarks while speaking at a human chain on climate change, held in front of Jatiya Press Club in the capital. TIB organised the event to express solidarity with the Global Climate Strike from September 20-27.

Several hundreds of youths, members of TIB's Youth Engagement and Support (YES) groups, took part in the human chain carrying various placards and banners with messages of saving the country and the planet at the programme.

"It is fact that human civilisation is now on the verge of destruction… The industrially developed countries are responsible for the misdeed," said Iftekharuzzaman.

"We have to make sure that they cannot escape their responsibilities and implement their commitments properly," he added.

To reduce adverse climate change impacts, the TIB executive director demanded reduction of carbon emission as per the commitments, wide use of renewable energy instead of fossil fuels, and provide adequate compensation to the affected countries properly.

He also urged the Bangladesh government to move away from establishment of coal-based power plants, which he termed as an "enemy at its own house".

"The whole world has already moved away from such power plants. But on the contrary, we are becoming more dependent on it," said Iftekharuzzaman.

"…It is a matter of embarrassment and regret that we are also going to contribute in the climate change despite being one of the worst victims," he said, mentioning ongoing construction of several coal-based power plants.

He suggested that the government give more emphasis on renewable energy generation and invest more in climate change projects considering wellbeing of the future generation.

He also urged the authorities to play more active role in obtaining the compensations from the industrialised countries.