Coal plants will be a catastrophe for Bangladesh, says new study

It has been projected that Bangladesh will lose 11 percent of its land area as a consequence of climate change. Category 4 and 5 cyclones, increasing by 130 per cent, will cause the damage.

As a result, lives and the livelihoods of more than 15 million people in the coastal areas will be at risk.

And it will be a catastrophe for the future if the ongoing 29 coal plants come into operation.

The land loss, cyclones and displacement of coastal people will be much worse, according to a news research published by the Australia-based Market Forces and 350.org. 

Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and Waterkeeper Bangladesh (WKB) are co-publishers of the research findings, titled 'Choked by Coal: the Carbon Catastrophe in Bangladesh.'

However, in the view of some experts, the country does not face such a carbon threat because it is not possible for the 29 coal power projects to operate in Bangladesh with imported energy, even though the projects have already been awarded to the relevant firms. 

Energy expert and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Brac University, Professor Mohammad Tamim agrees with the experts. 

As he put it, 'Only three coal projects seem to have been completed out of the altogether 29 projects. Besides, there is no progress in the other coal projects and some of the projects have already crossed the expiry date. So, it won't be a big carbon emission threat for us as now we have zero emission.'

'Besides, the government is now focusing on liquefied natural gas (LNG) based power rather than coal. That said, though, whatever the level of pollution, it is of course pollution.' he added. 

According to World Development Indicators (WDI)-2016, the annual per capital carbon emission in Bangladesh is 0.46 tonne where India's per capita emission is 1.92 tonnes and China's is 7.45 tonnes.  

The report hints at the threat of the new coal adding 115 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emission annually. 

Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of TIB, spoke at the research publication program. 

He said 'We claim that Bangladesh is the worst victim of climate change. On the other hand, we are increasing investment in a sector which has been rejected by the world due to the threats it poses to the climate. Is it not a contradiction?'

He urged the government not to fall into India and China's aggressive trap. 

Sharif Jamil, Coordinator of Waterkeeper Bangladesh, presented the report at Dhaka Reporters Unity. 

He said 'Our future energy demand is possible to meet up by environment friendly, safe and sustainable sources, which has been proved by different kinds of research. Therefore, the government should work on solar and other renewable sectors rather than constructing coal power plants.'   

Dr. M A Matin, General Secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Adolon (BAPA), Sharmeen Murshid, General Secretary of Brotee Bangladesh and M S Siddiqui, legal economist, were present at the program.