Different organisations including farmers, labour, civil society right groups in a human chain held in front of the National Press Club urged the Prime Minister to demand a legally binding climate treaty during the UN Sustainable Development Summit, says a press statement.
They claimed that such a climate deal is indispensible towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They also urged the Bangladesh Prime Minister to demand a clear and effective guideline of financial arrangement that is required to make the SDGs successful, especially in the least developing countries (LDCs).
The human chain titled "Dear PM, tell our voice in UN: Legally Binding Climate Agreement is Indispensible for SDG Implementation" was organized by EquityBD and supported by CANSA and Action 2015. 23 organisations participated in the event.
A written statement was read out by Mustafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD. Among others Badrul Alam of Bangladesh Krishak Federation, Subal Sarkar of Bangladesh Bhumihin Somity, Jayed Iqbal Khan of Bangladesh Krishak Federation, Aminur Rasul Babul of Unnayan Dhara, Kader Hazari of ARPAN, Abdul wahab of Jatiyo Sromik Jot, Kazi Hafizur Rahman of Public Service Institute also spoke at the occasion.
Mustafa Kamal said that Bangladesh is losing $2-3 billion annually due to negative impact of climate change, though the country is is not responsible for the climate change. Since there is no legally binding arrangements, countries responsible for climate change are not willing to reduce carbon emission, which results about 60 per cent increase in the carbon emission.
The statement also said that no development goals can be fulfilled without proper arrangement on facing the challenge of climate change. "As almost all the World leaders will be in the summit, our Prime Minister should use the opportunity to raise the issues on behalf of the people of Bangladesh and also of the LDC countries," it added.
Aminur Rasul Babul said that to achieve MDGs Bangladesh was required some $3.5 billion foreign aid per year, but the country received only $1.58 billion. "It is evident that, rich countries failed to fulfil their commitment of financial support towards least developed countries," he added. "To achieve SDGs financial and technical support will be needed, this time a clear and effective structural arrangement of financial support from the rich countries must be there."
