Climate experts in the capital at a discussion yesterday said Bangladesh should not take such mitigation measures that hamper its economic growth and development, reports UNB. They said Bangladesh’s per capita carbon dioxide emission (CO2) is only 0.37 metric tonnes. So it has no responsibility to cut its emission in the name of introducing low carbon path. Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad (BUP) jointly organised the discussion titled ‘The Paris Agreement: A Critical Look’ at the PKSF auditorium in the capital. Speaking on the occasion, PKSF chairman and coordinator of Bangladesh Climate Change Negotiation Team Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said such mitigation programmes should not be taken in the country which dwindle its economic growth and increase poverty rate.
 “Many developing countries raise voice about their rights to development. And I express my solidarity with them,” he added. The PKSF chairman said Bangladesh has already committed to reduce carbon emission by 5 per cent in three sectors and it will cut emission by 15 percent if the developed countries provide assistance to the country in this regard.
In Bangladesh’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) submitted to the UN Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) before Paris
Climate Summit in September last, the country is committed to reduce GHG emissions by 5 per cent from Business as Usual (BAU) levels by 2030 in the power, transport and industry sectors, based on existing resources.
It has also made a conditional 15 per cent reduction in GHG emissions from BAU levels by 2030 in the power, transport, and industry sectors, subject to appropriate international support in the form of finance, investment, technology development and transfer, and capacity building.
Right activist Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said there should not be taken any initiative in the name of low carbon emission that will create impediment to the country’s development since the developing countries have the right to development. About the Paris climate agreement, Dr Kholiquzzaman said how Bangladesh will be benefited from the agreement depends on the implementation of the global climate deal.