BNP wants to prioritise climate change, environmental protection in election manifesto: Mahdi Amin

Some political leaders have called for youth to work together in tackling climate change risks and protecting the environment, saying this crisis can be addressed if young people become aware. 

They also suggested that the issue should be given serious consideration in election manifestos while speaking at a discussion, titled "Manifesto Talk: Youth, Environment and Climate", organised at the Department of Environment in Agargaon, Dhaka yesterday (31 May).

Speaking at the event, Mahdi Amin, adviser to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, said the past autocratic government destroyed the environment in the name of mega projects. 

"They embezzled crores of taka from various projects in the name of development. Sheikh Hasina's fallen government never conducted any tests to determine whether projects were environmentally friendly before undertaking them," he added. 

Mahdi said the BNP will not include anything in its election manifesto that could destroy the environment in the name of development projects. He said the green revolution plan initiated by the late Ziaur Rahman, the party's founder, will be implemented. 

Mahdi also informed that the BNP has already undertaken tree plantation programmes to increase greenery nationwide.

Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, chief guest at the event, said the current interim government is working to protect the environment. 

"Several measures have been taken to prevent air pollution and river grabbing. Party affiliates will not be given exemptions," she said. 

Rizwana said cooperation from political parties is also needed to tackle this crisis. She advised maintaining transparency in all matters.

Ariful Islam Adib, senior joint convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said grabbers are destroying the environment, rivers, canals, and forests by exerting political influence in various ways. 

Saying that the NCP, formed under youth leadership, always takes youth aspirations seriously, Adib informed that the NCP will not make any decisions that could cause environmental disasters.

Saiful Haque, general secretary of the Bangladesh Revolutionary Workers Party, said the time has come for political parties to unite under one umbrella regarding climate change and environmental protection. 

"As time passes, Bangladesh is increasingly facing the threat of climate change. Bangladesh Revolutionary Workers Party will prioritise this issue in its election manifesto," he said.

However, Saiful called upon youth not to vote for those who are grabbing rivers, canals, and clearing forests, regardless of which symbol they contest under in the upcoming election.

Manifesto Talk Convener Habib Rahman said Bangladesh could be freed from environmental disasters if political parties work together with the youth.

Addressing the event, Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM) Chairman Bobby Hajjaj said his party had seriously included climate and environmental issues in their election manifesto in the 2018 election as well. 

He said his party will also reflect youth aspirations in the upcoming election. "Even if NDM cannot come to power in the next election, it will continue working with the youth demands." 

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Central Assistant Secretary Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said that youth power alone can save the country from climate and environmental disasters. He said his party has already started working on the manifesto and will seriously consider climate change and environmental issues. 

However, he noted that no matter how much importance is given to budgets or manifestos, neither climate change nor environmental pollution can be prevented if young people do not change their habits or become more responsible.

Speaking at the discussion, Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur said climate change is no longer just Bangladesh's issue — it's a global crisis. 

"Low-income countries like ours are suffering due to developed countries. Political parties must now think about how to involve youth in overcoming this crisis," he added. 

Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Ramed Khan said Dhaka is now at the peak of environmental disaster. "Solutions won't come just by giving importance to this issue in political manifestos if public awareness cannot be increased." 

Gonosamhati Andolon leader Abul Hasan Rubel agreed with the youth's demands regarding climate change damage and environmental disaster management. 

He said climate change and environmental issues were placed prominently in their 2018 election manifesto.

The party's Executive Coordinator Abul Hasan Rubel said there is no opportunity to advance the country solely through voting if the environment cannot be protected. Therefore, their party will give importance to the youth's opinions in the election manifesto.

Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Mohammad Ejaz welcomed this youth initiative, saying his organisation is working to protect the environment. 

However, he said a group is conspiring against the city corporation, and they are not receiving adequate support from political parties. "To protect the capital, the surrounding rivers must be protected. Dhaka North City Corporation has already started working with youth to increase greenery in the capital," he added.

Environmental activist Sharif Jamil said the past autocratic government undertook environment-destroying projects in the name of development. 

"Major projects, including Matarbari and Payra, destroyed the environment in those areas. The past government didn't listen to anyone," he said. 

Sharif opined that crisis management would not be possible if political parties do not prioritise these issues in their manifestos.

Md Shamsuddoha, the chief executive of the Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD), highlighted how Climate Trust Fund money was embezzled during the past autocratic government. 

"Most of the money meant for tackling climate change damage was spent on various local government development projects due to embezzlement," he said. 

Shamsuddoha said political parties must ensure transparency and accountability in climate fund expenditure.

Prof Kamruzzaman Majumder of Stamford University Bangladesh said that youth coming forward had created new possibilities. 

"However, Bangladesh cannot be saved from destruction without clear environmental protection agendas from political parties," he added. 

At the end of the programme, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar said if haors and baors survive, Bangladesh will survive too. 

"More such discussions need to be held involving everyone. Political parties must also be brought under accountability, and this will only be possible through youth," she said.

Farida said that overcoming the impacts of environmental or climate change will be possible only if this can be achieved.

The "Manifesto Talk: Youth, Environment and Climate" was organised by 15 environmental organisations, including Sachetan Society, Brighters, CPRD, Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies, Centre for Climate Change and Environment Research, and Human Safety Foundation.

At the event, Adviser Rizwana inaugurated the new Bangladesh Youth Climate Coalition, which focused on environmental issues. She wished the youth initiative success.