Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), along with several like-minded organisations, on Monday expressed dissatisfaction over the interim government's failure to lay the groundwork for transitioning the country's energy system towards renewable or clean energy.
They also urged political parties contesting the upcoming national elections to comprehensively restructure the draft "Energy and Power Sector Master Plan (EPSMP) 2025", ensuring meaningful participation of civil society, neutral experts and other relevant stakeholders, with renewable energy placed at the centre of future planning.
The call came from a human chain organised in front of the national parliament at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital to mark the International Day of Clean Energy 2026.
At the programme, TIB's Energy Governance division presented a concept paper highlighting the importance of renewable energy and the need for good governance in the energy sector.
The human chain was joined by representatives of various organisations, including Waterkeepers Bangladesh, Karmojibi Nari, DHORA, ActionAid Bangladesh, ETI Bangladesh, Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), Participatory Research and Action Network (PRAAN), Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), CPD, BILS, CAB, BSREA, BGEF, BAPA, The Earth Society, BEI, BARCIK, CAPS and MRDI.
Speaking at the event, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the interim government had failed to take initiatives to create a foundation for transitioning the country's energy system to renewable or clean energy - steps that could have been carried forward by a future elected government.
"The government must explain why no such groundwork has been laid," he said.
He also called on the government to inform the public through a white paper on what has been achieved at the national level in line with the interim government chief's internationally recognised "Three Zero" initiative - zero poverty, zero unemployment and zero carbon emissions.
To ensure good governance and an effective transition to renewable energy, TIB put forward several recommendations. These included formulating a realistic roadmap for electricity generation from renewable sources by setting uniform targets across all existing policies, including the Renewable Energy Policy 2025.
The organisation also proposed creating a conducive investment framework for production, supply and technological innovation to ensure policy priority for the renewable energy sector.
TIB also called for transparent procedures in issuing environmental clearances for energy projects and stronger monitoring of pollution to safeguard environmental standards.
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