CA for renewed efforts to promote 'carbon-neutral' economic growth

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New York, Sept 24 (bdnews24.com): Chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed Monday called for renewed efforts to promote 'carbon-neutral' economic growth.
"For this, developed economies must commit to transferring environment-friendly technologies at preferential terms," the CA said in a speech on climate change as his first official programme as part of his visit to attend the 62nd session of United Nations General Assembly in New York.
He co-chaired the session on climate change with the prime minister of the Netherlands.
Fakhruddin said: "The high-level gathering this morning demonstrates that we are collectively and unswervingly determined to address the acute threat posed by climate change."
"Climate change must be addressed now, and it must be addressed decisively. The price of inaction would be too high," he said in the speech, released by the Press Information Department in Dhaka.
Fakhruddin referred to Bangladesh's floods, one of the worst spells in recent times, which inundated more than one third of the country. "In the face of such a deluge, there is little we can do to prevent significant damage."
"Even relief operations are difficult to carry out until the responsibilities must be upheld. Enlightened self-interest must guide us towards and equitable, yet effective, emission regime.
On efforts to promote "carbon-neutral" economic growth, he said developing countries, especially the LDCs, cannot afford to bear the full cost of technological up-gradation of their economies.
"Our efforts to address climate change should not disproportionately tax the poorer nations.
"The post-Kyoto regime must generate new funds to facilitate development of technologies for a carbon neutral future in a scale that matches evolving requirements. It must also ensure transfer of these technologies to countries like Bangladesh to help secure their energy requirements.
Fakhruddin underscored the need for adaptation-necessary to cope with the unavoidable dimensions of climate change.
"Adequate physical, economic and institutional capacities can reduce the vulnerability of high-risk communities and groups. Access to appropriate adaptation technologies and know-how at affordable terms is critical.
"Adaptation to climate change, however, requires a long-term perspective. It needs investment-human and capital."
The chief adviser said: "Without sufficient and targeted funding, it may end up as empty rhetoric. The provisions and mechanisms in the existing framework have failed to secure resources flood waters recede."
"Deforestation, inadequate carbon sequestration, soil erosion, global warming-all of these are part of the growing menace that is climate change.
"There is growing concern that an irreversible climatic shift will displace millions of people worldwide. By some estimates, a one meter sea-level rise will submerge about one-third of the total area of Bangladesh, there by uprooting 25-30 million of our people.
"Scientists have long warned us that a 'business as usual' approach will not reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Drastic measures are now required. Unless we stem the tide of emissions, the increase in global temperatures and sea levels may accelerate.
"Delay will mean greater risks and higher costs. An effective response to climate change challenges must strike a balance between mitigation and adaptation.
"We urge all major emitters to collectively establish and implement a global target to stabilise the atmosphere over the short, radium and long term. The principle of common but differentiated required to finance the adaptation deficit."
The chief adviser said future framework should include specific commitments towards servicing the current and future adaptation needs and priorities of the most vulnerable economies.
Earlier, the Chief Adviser said general elections in Bangladesh could definitely be arranged before the set deadline of December 2008 if the Election Commission can complete its road map.
The Chief Adviser made the remarks when US Congressman Joseph Crowley made a courtesy call on him at his hotel suit Sunday afternoon, within hours of the Chief Adviser's arrival in New York to attend the 62nd session of UN General Assembly.
Crowley, Co-chair of Bangladesh Caucus in the US Congress, appreciated the government's flexibility to hold the election earlier than the announced timeframe and wanted to know whether is it possible.
Fakhruddin said the government has undertaken a gigantic task of preparing electoral roll with photograph of 90 million voters within the short time.
About the Election Commission's preparation to hold city corporations' elections, he told Crowley that election activities will start from next January.
CA's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim, who briefed reporters, said Crowley appreciated the move and also appreciated the lifting of ban on indoor politics.
The US Congressman elected from a New York constituency praised the caretaker government's action for curbing corruption and said negative image of Bangladesh due to corruption is now disappearing.
He said no governments in the past did take such strong actions to check corruption.