NEW DELHI, Mar 11 (BSS): President M Abdul Hamid sought intensified global efforts to unlock a new dynamic in solar and other renewable energy to negate the climate change affects, as countries like Bangladesh were already exposed to its impact.
"Our priorities are often underpinned by developmental goals . . . Nevertheless, we should not forget to protect environment for the benefit of our future generations," he told the plenary session of the 'International Solar Alliance (ISA) Founding Conference' in the Indian capital on Sunday.
President Hamid added: "Clean energy is essential for overall development recognised in SDG-7 (sustainable development goals) for ensuring everyone's access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy."
He said the global warming and its subsequent effects on many countries were now a reality, with Bangladesh being one of their worst victims.
"Although our share in emitting greenhouse gas is 0.1 per cent, the threats of natural disasters, including sea level rise, droughts, floods and cyclones to Bangladesh are abundant," President Hamid said.
But, he said, Bangladesh was trying to put in its best efforts to make a fair contribution to fighting this challenge, as "we are also taking steps to reduce emission of greenhouse gas in future as the development of renewable energy is desired for the developing countries".
India and France co-host the first edition of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Summit attended by heads and ministers from dozens of countries in the daylong event at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The ISA eyes US$1 trillion investment by 2030 urging private sector to step in the sector to achieve 1TW solar power capacity by that time.
President Hamid said Bangladesh by now joined all global initiatives on renewable energy while he sought all-out support and solidarity from the ISA member states to unlock a new dimension in all areas of renewable energy including solar power.
He said Bangladesh installed around five million Solar Home Systems serving around 20 million people of the country while the government also initiated a programme to generate 500 MW of solar-based electricity for adding those to the national grid.
But he put emphasis on investing in renewable energy for improving energy access to rural and underprivileged people as well as the safety of this planet.
The President laid stress on taking well-coordinated and bold policy commitments and much investment to get the desired benefits in days to come.
"Enhanced use of solar power-based Improved Cook stove in rural areas has significantly reduced the emission of greenhouse gas, increasing energy efficiency. We see similar potential in solar-powered irrigation pumps. Our Renewable Energy Policy's principle is that 10 per cent of our total electricity will be generated from renewable sources by 2021," the President pointed out.
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