Clean air is not luxury, but constitutional right: Experts
They also called for a pragmatic energy transition roadmap, immediate enactment of a Clean Air Act, and the enforcement of strict emissions standards for power plants under the Air Pollution Control Rules 2022
Clean air must be at the heart of energy policy as it is not a luxury but a constitutional right, energy and environment experts said at a high-level policy breakfast in Dhaka today (15 May).
They also called for a pragmatic energy transition roadmap, immediate enactment of a Clean Air Act, and the enforcement of strict emissions standards for power plants under the Air Pollution Control Rules 2022.
The event, titled "Revisiting Energy Policies for Ensuring Clean Air", was jointly organised by the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), and the Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD).
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Delivering the keynote, Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, chairman of CAPS, said, "Clean air is not a luxury – it is our constitutional right. Energy policy is not just about megawatts. It's about health, environmental protection, and sustainable prosperity."
Speakers across sectors echoed similar concerns, highlighting the country's dependence on fossil fuels, the health impacts of air pollution, and the need for coordinated action.
Dhaka North CEO Abu Sayed Md Kamruzzaman warned about the environmental cost of coal-based power plants, which are encroaching on agricultural land and threatening biodiversity.
Nayoka Martinez Bäckström, first secretary and deputy head of Development Cooperation (Environment and Climate Change) of the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka, noted European support for a clean and just energy transition, underscoring the need for broader participation from civil society and researchers.
Jacob Ferdinand, green growth program specialist of UNDP Bangladesh, linked energy planning directly to achieving Sustainable Development Goals. He urged Bangladesh to factor in environmental dimensions in all energy decisions.
Adil Muhammad Khan, president of BIP and Md Shamsuddoha, executive director of CPRD, demanded urgent shifts in focus from fossil fuel to public transport investment and renewable energy promotion.
Shamsuddoha criticised national energy planning for ignoring global climate targets, including the 2050 net-zero goal under the Paris Agreement.
Md Saifur Rahman, joint secretary at the environment ministry, admitted that while legal frameworks exist, enforcement is lacking. He called for stronger political will, green finance, and public engagement in shaping policies.
Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, director of Center for Energy Research, highlighted the fragmented state of energy planning, citing overlaps among the IEPMP, Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, and the upcoming Renewable Energy Policy 2025. He urged for clean energy to become the core of development policy.
Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Rasheduzzaman Majumder pointed out that none of the past energy policies met their renewable targets. Advocate Abdullah Al Noman criticised the 2023 Energy Master Plan for its lack of transparency and constitutional alignment.
Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director at the Center for Policy Dialogue called for locally-led policy development and less dependence on foreign consultants.
