JS unanimously adopts proposal on climate change impact

Parliament tonight unanimously adopted a motion declaring a “planetary emergency” on account of existential crisis of climate changes and making a call to the global community to act urgently and decisively in achieving the net zero (carbon) emissions well before 2050.

The Bangladesh Parliament is the first legislative that passed such a historic resolution, lawmakers participating in the discussion on the motion. Ruling Awami League lawmaker Saber Hossain Chowdhury placed the motion in the House.

The MPs irrespective of treasury and opposition benches passed the motion unanimously by voice vote when Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, who was presided over the sitting at that time, placed it for voting following around two hour long discussion.

Accepting the resolution, the House declared a planetary emergency on account of existential crisis of climate changes, devastating impact of disasters and increase in extreme weather events, irreparable loss of bio-diversity, looming food insecurity, rising water stress, unprecedented pressure on oceans and unsustainable use of resources.

Placing the motion, Saber Hossain said: “The global community must act urgently, decisively and with considerably higher ambition in achieving net zero emissions well before 2050, capping temperature rise to 1.5 degree Celsius and transitioning swiftly to low carbon economies as overarching priorities.”

He added: “Despite being least responsible to these problems, Bangladesh and many other countries in developing world, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are the most impacted and vulnerable.”

He added that actions at global levels have not matched commitments and rhetoric.

He also said planetary justice and climate equity demands that these vulnerable countries are assisted with finance and technology to meet their development aspirations in the quickest and the shortest time.

The House, therefore called on parliaments, governments, the United Nations and all stakeholders to work on a war footing, as custodians and as one team, to protect and fortify our planet- the only Home we have, he also added.

Environment Minister Shahab Uddin, State Minister for Power, Nasrul Hamid, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, Awami League MPs--Tofail Ahmed, Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Maj (retd) Rafiqul Islam, Kazi Nabil Ahmed, Nazrul Islam Babu and Waseqa Ayesha Khan, BNP MPs Harunur Rashid and Rumeen Farhana, Jatiya Party MPs Mujibul Haque and Rustum Ali Faraji, and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal MP Shirin Akhter also joined the discussion.