Saber urges developed nations to keep climate pledges

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FE Team | Published: May 30, 2024 00:20:03

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Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Wednesday said the world must act and commitments of rich nations must be fulfilled to address climate change impacts, reports BSS.
"Climate change is underfunded. Each time there are pledges by developed nations, they remain unfulfilled. In Bangladesh, we have plans and locally-led adaptation to engage communities. However, without funding, our efforts are limited," he said.
The minister said this while addressing the Climate & Health Finance Dialogue held in Geneva, Switzerland on Tuesday night, according to a message received in city on Wednesday.
In the current fiscal, Saber Chowdhury said the government of Bangladesh allocated US$ 3.5 billion for adaptation, including health. "Our annual requirement is about $ 9 billion. So, where will the money come from?" he questioned. In his speech, titled "Country-driven Climate-Health Actions and Financing Needs," he underscored the critical intersection of climate change and public health, emphasising the immediate need for robust, country-specific actions and financing mechanisms.
The environment minister stressed the importance of global solidarity, pointing out the significant trust deficit that hampers collective action.
"We cannot trust each other because promises and commitments are always unmet. We cannot allow climate change to worsen. If we continue to pump emissions into the air while discussing adaptation and resilience, we must recognise that resilience and adaptation have their natural limits.