Youth demand revision of fossil-fuel dependent national energy master plan

Young climate activists in Dhaka today (11 April) called for an urgent revision of Bangladesh's Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP), voicing strong opposition to the plan's continued reliance on fossil fuels with a warning that the current plan undermines climate goals.

As part of the Global Climate Strike, youth under the banner of YouthNet Global staged a demonstration on Friday in front of the National Press Club with 200 young people, demanding a just transition toward renewable energy and a greater share of international climate finance for Bangladesh. 

Speaking at the rally, organisers said Bangladesh's energy future should not be tied to fossil fuels, which are contributing to the climate crisis and threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions, reports UNB.

They stressed the government increase the share of renewables in the national energy mix and demanded transparent access to international climate finance to support a just and inclusive energy transition.

The activists at the rally collectively called upon multinational banks and institutions to stop investments in fossil fuels to effectively curb global temperature rise, while also urging for increased climate finance.

While acknowledging the current government in Bangladesh stated a pro-climate stance, they pressed for concrete policies that would significantly boost investments in renewable sources.

Expressing solidarity with the youth movement, Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director at the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), strongly criticised the current IEPMP, describing it as a continuation of the previous government's flawed planning.

He added, "Following the political transition, it is now time to reform the IEPMP through necessary revisions. We hope that the new IEPMP will be locally financed, locally owned, and based on local solutions."

Similar protests were reported across 50 districts of Bangladesh, with youth activists echoing the same calls for a shift towards renewable energy. 

Call for polythene in Ctg

At a rally in Chattogram, activists called on the government to ensure practical and eco-friendly alternatives are in place before enforcing a ban on the use of polythene.

The government has repeatedly announced a ban on polythene use, but no effective alternative has been introduced yet, they said at the event as part of the Global Climate Strike, organised by Fridays For Future, and included over 30 volunteer, social, and environmental groups.

With the theme "End the era of fossil fuels", protesters carried placards with slogans like "We want blue skies, not black smoke", "No CO₂", and "Climate justice here and now".

Professor Idris Ali spoke at the event, highlighting the environmental damage in Chattogram. He said the city's canal network has drastically shrunk, and despite large investments in waterlogging projects, no real progress has been made.  

"Our air, water, and nature are our true resources, but they are being lost. We must protect rivers, hills, and canals," he said.

Other speakers pointed out that development often comes at the cost of the environment. They criticised the use of fossil fuels and called for more investment in renewable energy.