Bangladesh

RMG sector must lead renewable energy push

Speakers tell discussion; call on govt to align policies, set timeline to achieve net zero emissions
Speakers at a discussion titled “Pathways to a Just Energy Transition: Balancing Sustainability, Equity, and Industry Growth in the RMG Sector,” at The Daily Star Centre in the capital yesterday. Photo: Star

Although not a major carbon-emitting country, Bangladesh can emerge as a global pioneer in carbon reduction as a victim of climate change, experts said at an event yesterday.

They said the RMG sector should lead this effort, given its potential to increase the use of renewable energy in factories. Additionally, they called on the government to align policies and set a timeline to achieve net zero emissions.

The remarks were made during a discussion titled "Pathways to a Just Energy Transition: Balancing Sustainability, Equity, and Industry Growth in the RMG Sector," at The Daily Star Centre in the capital.

The event was jointly organised by The Daily Star and Oxfam.

In his keynote presentation, Dr Mohammad Emran Hasan, head of Climate Justice and Natural Resource Rights (CJNRR), said while Bangladesh contributes minimally to global carbon emissions, it is among the most impacted countries globally.

He said the RMG and textile industries could save approximately 1,159 kilotonnes of oil equivalent (KTOE) of energy annually by adopting energy-efficient machinery and conservation measures.

The overall industrial sector in Bangladesh consumes about 3,740 KTOE per year.

Hasan suggested measures such as introducing Solar PV Systems, Net Metering Policy, energy-efficient machinery and processes, automation and digitalisation, green financing initiatives, and access to green bonds to ensure a just energy transition.

Azad Abul Kalam, manager of Just Energy Transition at ActionAid, said policymakers should prioritise energy sovereignty over energy security.

"If they want energy security, they would plan more energy imports, but if they think about energy sovereignty, they would focus on relying on local resources like gas, solar, and wind," he said.

Azad said the ousted government had showcased the power sector as their greatest success, but the Ukraine war exposed its vulnerabilities.

"During that time, when fuel prices spiked globally, the industries faced the most trouble," he said. 

Wasiur Rahman Tonmoy, senior coordinator of capacity development at Manusher Jonno Foundation, said, "We analysed 23 policy papers in Bangladesh's power and energy sector. None of the papers incorporated women's access to energy. Moreover, the rights of marginalised people to energy are also overlooked."

Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, head of the Centre for Energy Research at United International University, said there were misalignments in government plans for the power and energy sector.

"Local experts were not involved in the process; the planning was injected. Foreign experts introduced unproven technologies into those papers," he said. He said transmission and distribution systems are still not ready to handle solar energy.

Sohanur Rahman, executive coordinator at YouthNet Global, stressed the importance of capacity-building for a green transition.

"As zero carbonisation is one of the major goals of the chief adviser, it is time for Bangladesh to take the lead. We need initiatives to develop green skills and jobs, especially for youths and women," he said.

He also called for mass public consultations and worker-level input in future plans. 

Former BGMEA president Faruque Hassan said there are inefficiencies in industrial energy use. "Industries are wasting around 28 percent of their energy. SREDA has initiated energy audits, but these efforts need to expand. Energy-saving technologies can help industries save energy and reduce dependence on imported fuel," he said. 

Oxfam Country Director Ashish Damle highlighted global shifts back to fossil fuels, which could impact Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh needs a strong policy commitment. This is the right time to collaborate with the most affected countries and demonstrate leadership," he said. 

Dr Munjurul Hannan Khan, executive director of NACOM, pointed out the lack of inter-departmental collaboration.

"Policies from the environment ministry are ignored by the energy ministry and vice versa. We also lack a specific timeline for achieving net-zero targets," he said.

He urged the government to remove taxes on renewable energy. 

Shariful Islam, Oxfam's head of Influencing, Communication, Advocacy and Media, conducted the discussion.

Among others, Helvetas Bangladesh's Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan, Laudes Bangladesh's programme manager Faiza Tuba, journalist Mahfuzur Rahman Mishu, and The Daily Star's in-charge of NGOs and Foreign Missions Tanjim Ferdous spoke.

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RMG sector must lead renewable energy push

Speakers tell discussion; call on govt to align policies, set timeline to achieve net zero emissions
Speakers at a discussion titled “Pathways to a Just Energy Transition: Balancing Sustainability, Equity, and Industry Growth in the RMG Sector,” at The Daily Star Centre in the capital yesterday. Photo: Star

Although not a major carbon-emitting country, Bangladesh can emerge as a global pioneer in carbon reduction as a victim of climate change, experts said at an event yesterday.

They said the RMG sector should lead this effort, given its potential to increase the use of renewable energy in factories. Additionally, they called on the government to align policies and set a timeline to achieve net zero emissions.

The remarks were made during a discussion titled "Pathways to a Just Energy Transition: Balancing Sustainability, Equity, and Industry Growth in the RMG Sector," at The Daily Star Centre in the capital.

The event was jointly organised by The Daily Star and Oxfam.

In his keynote presentation, Dr Mohammad Emran Hasan, head of Climate Justice and Natural Resource Rights (CJNRR), said while Bangladesh contributes minimally to global carbon emissions, it is among the most impacted countries globally.

He said the RMG and textile industries could save approximately 1,159 kilotonnes of oil equivalent (KTOE) of energy annually by adopting energy-efficient machinery and conservation measures.

The overall industrial sector in Bangladesh consumes about 3,740 KTOE per year.

Hasan suggested measures such as introducing Solar PV Systems, Net Metering Policy, energy-efficient machinery and processes, automation and digitalisation, green financing initiatives, and access to green bonds to ensure a just energy transition.

Azad Abul Kalam, manager of Just Energy Transition at ActionAid, said policymakers should prioritise energy sovereignty over energy security.

"If they want energy security, they would plan more energy imports, but if they think about energy sovereignty, they would focus on relying on local resources like gas, solar, and wind," he said.

Azad said the ousted government had showcased the power sector as their greatest success, but the Ukraine war exposed its vulnerabilities.

"During that time, when fuel prices spiked globally, the industries faced the most trouble," he said. 

Wasiur Rahman Tonmoy, senior coordinator of capacity development at Manusher Jonno Foundation, said, "We analysed 23 policy papers in Bangladesh's power and energy sector. None of the papers incorporated women's access to energy. Moreover, the rights of marginalised people to energy are also overlooked."

Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, head of the Centre for Energy Research at United International University, said there were misalignments in government plans for the power and energy sector.

"Local experts were not involved in the process; the planning was injected. Foreign experts introduced unproven technologies into those papers," he said. He said transmission and distribution systems are still not ready to handle solar energy.

Sohanur Rahman, executive coordinator at YouthNet Global, stressed the importance of capacity-building for a green transition.

"As zero carbonisation is one of the major goals of the chief adviser, it is time for Bangladesh to take the lead. We need initiatives to develop green skills and jobs, especially for youths and women," he said.

He also called for mass public consultations and worker-level input in future plans. 

Former BGMEA president Faruque Hassan said there are inefficiencies in industrial energy use. "Industries are wasting around 28 percent of their energy. SREDA has initiated energy audits, but these efforts need to expand. Energy-saving technologies can help industries save energy and reduce dependence on imported fuel," he said. 

Oxfam Country Director Ashish Damle highlighted global shifts back to fossil fuels, which could impact Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh needs a strong policy commitment. This is the right time to collaborate with the most affected countries and demonstrate leadership," he said. 

Dr Munjurul Hannan Khan, executive director of NACOM, pointed out the lack of inter-departmental collaboration.

"Policies from the environment ministry are ignored by the energy ministry and vice versa. We also lack a specific timeline for achieving net-zero targets," he said.

He urged the government to remove taxes on renewable energy. 

Shariful Islam, Oxfam's head of Influencing, Communication, Advocacy and Media, conducted the discussion.

Among others, Helvetas Bangladesh's Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan, Laudes Bangladesh's programme manager Faiza Tuba, journalist Mahfuzur Rahman Mishu, and The Daily Star's in-charge of NGOs and Foreign Missions Tanjim Ferdous spoke.

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সরকারি দপ্তরে ঘাপটি মেরে থাকা ‘ডেভিলদের’ আগে ধরেন: মির্জা আব্বাস 

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