PM calls for urgent climate action
Tarique Rahman emphasised that while Bangladesh contributes negligibly to global greenhouse gas emissions, its geographic location, high population density, and climate-sensitive economy render it one of the most vulnerable nations in the world
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated that his government is placing the highest priority on environmental conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development to safeguard the nation's development trajectory against escalating ecological threats.
In a message published on his verified Facebook page yesterday (4 June) ahead of World Environment Day 2026, he reaffirmed the ambitious environmental campaign to plant 25 crore trees over the next five years alongside a massive initiative to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country.
Highlighting this year's World Environment Day theme, "Climate Action," as declared by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the prime minister noted that the global climate crisis has manifested as a harsh reality threatening all of humanity.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
He warned, "accelerating global phenomena such as sea-level rise, intense heatwaves, erratic rainfall, cyclones, storm surges, flash floods, droughts, and biodiversity loss are exerting a profound negative impact on global environments, economies, and human lives."
Tarique Rahman emphasised that while Bangladesh contributes negligibly to global greenhouse gas emissions, its geographic location, high population density, and climate-sensitive economy render it one of the most vulnerable nations in the world, a reality corroborated by its high-risk positioning in the Climate Risk Index 2026.
"Increased salinity, declining agricultural yields, climate-induced displacement, and the growing intensity of natural disasters remain critical challenges to the country's future," he said.
To mitigate these systemic risks, the prime minister outlined that Bangladesh is already pursuing a coordinated and forward-looking policy framework through the active implementation of its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
The state's current strategic focus prioritises coastal protection, social afforestation, comprehensive disaster preparedness, the rehabilitation of climate-displaced populations, and nature-based solutions.
Looking forward, he stressed that it has become imperative to restructure the agricultural sector on a sustainable, modern, and climate-resilient foundation, adding that the government will prioritise research, innovation, training, and expansion activities to combat climate impacts on food security.
In tandem with rural and agricultural restructuring, the government is accelerating initiatives aimed at green industrialisation, the expansion of renewable energy, eco-friendly urbanisation, advanced waste management, public transit development, and the adoption of green technologies.
The prime minister also revealed that effective measures have been initiated to capitalise on the financial opportunities presented by carbon credits and the global carbon market.
Concluding his remarks, he expressed a firm resolve that a green, safe, habitable, and climate-resilient Bangladesh can be achieved through integrated public-private initiatives, widespread environmental awareness, and responsible civic behaviour, while wishing total success to all programmes undertaken to mark World Environment Day 2026.
