PM demands compensatory grant, adequate fund for adaptation

---

Sheikh Hasina addressing the climate change confce Wednesday.

COPENHAGEN, Dec 17 (bdnews24.com): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for "bold decisions" in Copenhagen, including an adaptation fund of at least 1.5 per cent of GDP of developed countries, separate from ODA as stipulated in the Brussels Programme of Action.
Addressing the main plenary meeting of the troubled UN climate talks at Bella Centre in Copenhagen on Wednesday, she said disbursement of such funds must take into account the extent of vulnerability to climate change, size of population exposed to risk, adaptation initiatives by countries concerned and immediate action needed.
"Developed countries must also allow transfer of eco-friendly technology, particularly to Most Vulnerable Countries (MVCs) and LDCs, at affordable costs.
"These must be kept outside the Intellectual Property Rights Regime. There is also need to establish an International Center for Adaptation, Research and Training under UNFCCC for bolstering capabilities through shared experiences on adaptation."
She said climate refugees are increasing by the day in Bangladesh. "Visible sea level and temperature rise are destroying fish sanctuaries, and livelihood of our fishermen.
"Natural disasters, river bank erosions and salinity intrusion are taking toll on lives, and uprooting farming families in millions," the prime minister said, describing the current situation of Bangladesh.
"They are swelling our cities and causing social disorders. Fund allocated for development are being diverted for their rehabilitation affecting our MDGs. In fact, climate change is costing us a significant share of our GDP."
"It is estimated that a meter rise in sea level due to global warming would inundate 18% of our land mass, force 20 million climate refugees with 40 million more losing their livelihood by 2050," she pointed out.
Hasina said, to meet climate change challenges, all nations must take immediate action on the basis of the Bali Action Plan on sustainable development for survival. Developed countries must commit to deep and legally binding cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
"Indeed Annex One Parties must reduce emissions by 45% by 2020, below 1990 level, allow peaking by 2015, reduce greenhouse gas concentration to 350 ppm by 2100, and limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees or to no more than 2 Degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels."
She rattled off a list of initiatives Bangladesh has taken to adopt to climate changes. At national level, she said, Bangladesh has brought a paradigm shift from relief and rehabilitation, to disaster risk management.
"We have also adopted adaptation and mitigation programs comprising 134 action plans, and designated authorities for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).