Civil society orgs urge parties to phase out fossil fuels for energy sovereignty
They called for a shift to renewables, targeting 30% by 2030, and full transition by 2050
A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has urged political parties to commit to dismantling fossil fuel dependence for enhancing energy sovereignty.
At an event at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity today (18 November), they released a 12-point Citizens' Manifesto calling for a just and sustainable energy transition ahead of the 2026 national parliamentary elections.
The Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED) in collaboration with the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), Ethical Trading Initiative Bangladesh (ETI), Lawyers for Energy, Environment, and Development (LEED), Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), and ReGlobal organised the event.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Speakers at the event highlighted the severe economic and environmental consequences of Bangladesh's reliance on fossil fuels.
Hasan Mehedi, member secretary of BWGED, emphasised the financial drain, stating, "In the past 16 years, private power producers extracted Tk1.72 trillion in capacity charges, while the Power Development Board recorded cumulative losses of Tk2.53 trillion, compelling the government to inject Tk2.36 trillion in subsidies – public resources disproportionately siphoned off into the coffers of fossil fuel-linked vested interests."
Monower Mostafa, network adviser for CLEAN, underscored the environmental toll, noting that "national carbon emissions have doubled, rising from 146.8 million tonnes in 2008 to 281.4 million tonnes, while Bangladesh's air quality has deteriorated to among the world's most hazardous."
Wasiur Rahman Tonmoy, coordinator at Manusher Jonno Foundation, and Shimonuzzaman, director of research at LEED, also stressed the need for a people-centric energy transition.
What's in the manifesto
The 12-point manifesto outlines a comprehensive roadmap for reform, including the formulation of a new National Energy Policy with mandatory public consultation, ensuring transparency and anti-corruption measures in the power sector, and phasing out fossil fuel subsidies.
The CSOs called for halting new fossil fuel power plants and transitioning to renewable energy, setting targets of 30% renewables by 2030 and 100% by 2050.
Additional points advocate for a green transport transformation, modernisation of the national grid, and the expansion of a "Surjo Bari (Solar Home)" programme aimed at creating two million green jobs.
The manifesto also rejects unproven "false climate solutions" such as nuclear expansion and waste-to-energy projects, instead promoting a circular economy.
Furthermore, the CSOs emphasised ensuring community rights for women, indigenous peoples, and marginalised groups, and promoting agrivoltaics to safeguard agricultural land.
