A green knitwear manufacturing unit in Narayanganj The contribution of industry to the national economy is gradually increasing with about 35.14 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at present. As part of striving for building a developed nation by 2041, the industrial sector is playing a vital role in poverty alleviation, employment creation, and increase in export earnings. To reach the goal of 2041, we need to give more importance to industrial development. For expediting development activities the existing industrial sectors should be flourished along with exploring new industrial potentials. However, we need to consider all sorts of hazards including health and environmental issues related to unplanned industrialisation. For mitigating the hazards, industrialisation process across the country has to be planned and made environment friendly. Particularly, agricultural lands, natural water bodies, and forest lands should be kept away from the scope of industrialisation. At the same time, we need to focus on increasing the ratio of renewable energy to total energy consumption.
As a means of achieving quality economic development, the government has emphasised on enhancing the industrial activities in the economy. At the same time, the government is aware of protecting the environment from the harms of nature. This policy of the government has been reflected in the National Industrial Policy-2016 which has been formulated with special emphasis on green and sustainable industrialisation. In this policy, various incentives including tax rebates have already been provided to the industrialists using green technology to protect the environment. The industrial policy has a clear direction to increase the government's patronage and incentives towards environmentally friendly industrial initiatives. The existing industrial policy urged to encourage building waste processing units in the industrial production process to control environmental pollution in industrial establishments. In this regard, the government will have to ensure implementation of the Environmental Protection Act 1995, Bangladesh Water Act 2013, and other related laws. The draft of National Industrial Policy-2021 which is under formulation will need to maintain continuity to further gear things up.
One of the critical steps for ensuring environment-friendly industrialisation is having treatment plans for the wastes released by the industries. The existing industrial policy envisages provisions to encourage ETP, CETP to control environmental pollution in industrial establishments. However, most of the industries in Bangladesh are yet to build their ETPs. ETPs should be an integral part of the production process of each industry. Every factory should address this issue properly. Traditionally, liquid waste from industrial plants is dumped in rivers, canals, and water bodies. Not only liquid wastes, environment-friendly solid and gaseous wastes disposal processes should be included in the production activities of the factory.
The government has taken initiatives to strengthen planned urbanisation and green industrialisation. In the light with the Action Plan presented at the Paris Climate Conference on Environmental and Urban Protection from Industrial Pollution, Bangladesh is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 5 per cent in the energy and power, transport, and industrial sectors. To this end, solar panels have already been installed in 4 million homes to save energy and increase the use of renewable energy. Bangladesh now ranks second in the use of solar power in homesteads. Meanwhile, the country now ranks fifth in employment creation in solar power sector with 136 thousand jobs in this sector, according to Renewable Energy Agency.
A recent report by the World Bank says 'Bangladesh has the largest off-grid solar power programme in the world, which offers experiences and lessons for other countries to expand access to clean and affordable electricity. By harnessing solar power, the program enabled 20 million Bangladeshis to access electricity.' Now, it is time to expand the horizon of renewable energy from homestead to industrial production. Recently, Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) finds that Bangladesh has the potential of producing around 5 thousand megawatts of solar power through rooftop solar plants on industrial units. This potential should be fully exploited. At the same time, we need to import modern technologies regarding green industrialisation, planned urbanisation to meet the needs of our huge population with environment-friendly industrial products.
For strengthening green industrialisation, we need to broaden the area of green financing and incentives. The government is considering providing exemption of investment tax for environment-friendly equipments and other resources along with income tax rebate for green service providers.
In order to promote green industrialization, tanneries in the Hazaribagh area have been shifted to Savar. The government has provided incentives to the tannery owners in the relocation process. However, for sustainable development, green industrialisation needs to be expanded to other industrial sectors as well.
To address the land shortage issue we need strong measures to stop staggered industrial units in an unplanned way. Setting up industrial units in the industrial areas and economic zones should be made mandatory in the existing legal framework. That being the case, the government is developing 100 economic zones and industrial parks. Building factories in economic zones will ensure the necessary services for green industrialisation, including ETP. Green Factory Award is being awarded by the Ministry of Labour and Employment to the green factories of the country, including RMG and other industries for their contribution of protecting environment.
The Industrial Policy 2016 has given priority to green industrialisation for sustainable development. The government providing incentives to develop green industrialization, as indicated in the policy. For the sake of developing green industrialization, tanneries in the Hazaribagh area have been shifted to Savar. The government has provided incentives to the tannery owners in the relocation process. There are bright examples of successful green RMG industries. However, for sustainable development, the domain of green industrialisation needs to be expanded to other industrial sector as well. Collaborative policy supports of industries ministry, finance division, environment, forestry, and climate change Ministry and other concerned departments of the government will contribute rapid green industrialisation the country.
AHM Masum Billah is Senior Information Officer, PID. PID Feature,
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