Climate-smart adaptation methods in focus

Climate-smart adaptation methods should be the top priority of the government in combating climate change induced consequences, speakers said at a webinar on Thursday.
The experts also put high importance on the mitigation process, as Asia's share of global carbon emission in the food production process is rising alarmingly.
Economic Development Research Organisation (EDRO) organised the webinar, styled 'Mobilising Action for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Bangladesh', in association with The Financial Express and Bonik Barta.
Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik, additional secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said alongside putting importance on mitigation, the government was giving top priority to adaptation in order to combat climate change 'consequences'.
Some 6.5 million solar units have been set up across the country so far, said the secretary, adding that the private sector should also come forward and invest both on adaptation and mitigation.
Dr Suresh Babu, head of capacity strengthening and senior research fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute, presented a keynote paper, titled 'Overview of comprehensive action for climate change initiative in Asia'.
According to the paper, Asian share of the global greenhouse gas emissions, considering the food sector, has increased to 40 per cent - and it is rising. But the Asian countries are yet to address the challenges, the paper said.
Kristofer Johnson of the Food and Agriculture Organization said Bangladesh put high emphasis on agroecological and climate smart approaches to achieve a climate resilient food system in Bangladesh.
Md Tanjil Hossain, executive director of EDRO, delivered the opening remarks, while Dr Mousumi K Bhattacharjee, co-coordinator of the Asia Pacific Regional Network (APRN); Professor Dr Fakir Azmal Huda, Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University; Arif M Faisal, programme specialist (Nature, Climate & Energy), UNDP Bangladesh; and Dr IKM Mokhtarul Wadud, assistant professor of economics at the University of Sydney, Australia; spoke, among others.
EDRO Director Rehnuma Sayeeka Nasrin moderated the webinar.

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