Bangladesh, UK Parliamentary Groups launch Climate Change Inquiry
Sunday, 9 August 2009
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Climate Change and Environment of Bangladesh Parliament has teamed up with the All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group of the UK Parliament and will launch a joint inquiry into Climate Change, asking the question "Climate Change Equity: is it a plan, an aspiration or a fashion statement?", reports UNB
The inquiry, first of its kind, has been launched by Chairs of the two Parliamentary Groups in Bangladesh and UK, Saber H Chowdhury MP and Colin Challen MP, according to a media release.
They seek to gain a better insight on how the two countries at opposite ends of the spectrum- one an LDC grappling with adaptation and another developed one professing mitigation-view challenge of climate change equity.
Bangladesh, though least responsible for the problem, is a country most at threat from climate change; the UK is often regarded as one of - if the not the leader - in shaping climate change policy. The Groups will present the inquiry report at the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change to be held in December.
The Report will also be sent to the respective governments with anticipation that it will be discussed in Bangladesh and UK Parliaments. Evidence is called for by October 12 and submissions (preferably in not more than 3000 words) in electronic form only are sought from all who are concerned to achieve, and are working towards, an equitable and fully inclusive deal on climate change in Copenhagen. Saber H Chowdhury MP said climate change for Bangladesh is a development challenge as well as a human rights and justice issue at the same time.
He said whilst Bangladesh used to learns through local endeavours on adapting to climate change, "we have so far not seen the level and type of development assistance necessary if tens of millions of people are to survive in our country." Saber said an equitable deal in Copenhagen, as being trumpeted by many world leaders, would only be possible "if we are able to have clarity and consensus on the concept of equity in climate change negotiations and this would then hopefully pave the way for resolving the burden sharing riddle. This inquiry will bring this question into sharp focus."
Colin Challen MP said the need for this inquiry was overwhelming. There were too many generalities bandied about in climate change negotiations. "We want the result of this inquiry to be presented in Copenhagen. Why is it, for example, that many countries with very low carbon dioxide footprints, like Bangladesh, are therefore prevented from benefiting from mechanisms like the Clean Development Mechanism?"
The inquiry, first of its kind, has been launched by Chairs of the two Parliamentary Groups in Bangladesh and UK, Saber H Chowdhury MP and Colin Challen MP, according to a media release.
They seek to gain a better insight on how the two countries at opposite ends of the spectrum- one an LDC grappling with adaptation and another developed one professing mitigation-view challenge of climate change equity.
Bangladesh, though least responsible for the problem, is a country most at threat from climate change; the UK is often regarded as one of - if the not the leader - in shaping climate change policy. The Groups will present the inquiry report at the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change to be held in December.
The Report will also be sent to the respective governments with anticipation that it will be discussed in Bangladesh and UK Parliaments. Evidence is called for by October 12 and submissions (preferably in not more than 3000 words) in electronic form only are sought from all who are concerned to achieve, and are working towards, an equitable and fully inclusive deal on climate change in Copenhagen. Saber H Chowdhury MP said climate change for Bangladesh is a development challenge as well as a human rights and justice issue at the same time.
He said whilst Bangladesh used to learns through local endeavours on adapting to climate change, "we have so far not seen the level and type of development assistance necessary if tens of millions of people are to survive in our country." Saber said an equitable deal in Copenhagen, as being trumpeted by many world leaders, would only be possible "if we are able to have clarity and consensus on the concept of equity in climate change negotiations and this would then hopefully pave the way for resolving the burden sharing riddle. This inquiry will bring this question into sharp focus."
Colin Challen MP said the need for this inquiry was overwhelming. There were too many generalities bandied about in climate change negotiations. "We want the result of this inquiry to be presented in Copenhagen. Why is it, for example, that many countries with very low carbon dioxide footprints, like Bangladesh, are therefore prevented from benefiting from mechanisms like the Clean Development Mechanism?"