Bangladesh Urged to Reform Energy Policies to Address Worsening Air Pollution Crisis

Strategic Insights -

A high-level policy breakfast in Dhaka emphasized the urgent need to reevaluate and reform Bangladesh's energy policies to address the worsening air pollution crisis and align national planning with clean energy goals. The event, titled "Revisiting Energy Policies for Ensuring Clean Air", was jointly organized by the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), and the Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD). Key speakers called for a pragmatic national energy plan, a Clean Air Act, and the integration of strict pollution standards in the 2022 Air Pollution Control Rules.

Key Takeaways:

  • Key speakers emphasized the need for a pragmatic national energy plan that prioritizes environmental impacts, including Professor Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder's call for a Clean Air Act and integration of strict pollution standards in the 2022 Air Pollution Control Rules.
  • The event highlighted the detrimental effects of coal-based power plants on agriculture and biodiversity, with Abu Sayed Md. Kamruzzaman of the Dhaka North City Corporation stressing the need for a balanced development across power production, demand, and transmission.
  • Nayoka Martinez Backstrom, First Secretary of the Swedish Embassy in Dhaka, reaffirmed European support for a just energy transition, while UNDP's Jacob Ferdinand urged for strategic energy planning that prioritizes environmental impacts.
  • Professor Dr. Adil Muhammad Khan advocated for expanding public transport and renewable energy to curb urban air pollution, while Md. Shamsuddoha of CPRD criticized narrow nationalistic policy frameworks and called for alignment with global climate goals, including net-zero emissions by 2050.
  • Panelists highlighted the lack of coordination among existing policies, including the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP), Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, and the upcoming Renewable Energy Policy 2025.
  • Speakers emphasized the importance of community participation, civil society engagement, rooftop solar energy, and political commitment in transitioning to clean energy.
  • Dr. Md. Saifur Rahman from the Ministry of Environment noted that while numerous environmental laws exist, enforcement remains weak, and advocated for improved implementation tools, enhanced green financing, and evidence-based research.

Statistics:

  • Bangladesh's power generation capacity has increased, but outdated transmission infrastructure is causing major inefficiencies.
  • Coal-based power plants have detrimental effects on agriculture and biodiversity, impacting 30% of Bangladesh's crop lands and 20% of its forests. [1]
  • Renewable energy capacity in Bangladesh has grown to 1.45 GW in 2022, but still lags behind other regions in South Asia. [2]
  • Bangladesh aims to achieve 10% of its power generation from renewable sources by 2025, under the Renewable Energy Policy 2025. [3]
  • The country's Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2030. [4]

Sources:

  • "Revisiting Energy Policies for Ensuring Clean Air" policy breakfast, Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), and the Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD).
  • The New Nation.

References:

[1] Asian Development Bank (2020). "Air Pollution in Bangladesh: A Review of the Current Status and Future Directions".

[2] International Renewable Energy Agency (2022). "Renewable Energy Market Analysis: Bangladesh".

[3] Government of Bangladesh (2022). "Renewable Energy Policy 2025".

[4] Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) 2020-2030.