Carbon market could be Bangladesh's next green investment frontier: Danish envoy at CPD climate meet

Danish Ambassador Christian Brix Møller has said Bangladesh holds significant potential in the global carbon market, urging the country to shift from talk to action, following the COP29 agreement to operationalise Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

He made the statement today (18 October) at a four-day event, organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) under the theme "A World Beyond Crisis: Climate Solutions That Work," which began with calls for measurable and accountable climate action ahead of COP30 in Brazil.

Bangladesh should no longer be known only for its resilience but also for its transformation in confronting climate change, speakers said at the opening of CPD Climate Week 2025 in Dhaka.

CPD Executive Director Fahmida Khatun said climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a development challenge and a matter of justice.

"The world often sees Bangladesh as a story of resilience, but we do not want to be known only for enduring crises. We want to be seen as a story of transformation — a country confronting climate change with innovation, inclusion, and courage," she said while inaugurating the event.

The opening session brought together diplomats, economists, and policy experts who stressed that Bangladesh's strategies must move beyond project-based adaptation towards systemic change supported by data and measurable targets.

Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Christian Brix Moller said the carbon market could become a new frontier for green investment in the country. 

"The carbon market has great potential for Bangladesh," he said, urging "less talk and more action."

He referred to the outcome of COP29 in Baku, where countries agreed to operationalise Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, allowing nations to trade emission reductions through carbon markets.

Moller said Bangladesh should now explore how to position itself strategically in this evolving system.

Brazilian Ambassador Paolo Fernando Dias Feres linked this year's discussions to COP30, which his country will host next year.

"We must move from despair to action," he said, noting that both Bangladesh and Brazil face shared challenges of deforestation, energy transition, and inclusive development.

UNDP Senior Economic Advisor Owais Parray warned of the urgency of the situation, saying, "We are standing at the edge of a cliff."

He noted that the decline in biodiversity now carries growing economic consequences. "All of these have an economic impact," he said.

Parray said that while solutions exist, global scepticism remains a challenge.

He underscored the injustice faced by countries like Bangladesh, which have contributed little to the crisis but face severe impacts.

Calling for a "green revolution," he said development must be decoupled from carbon emissions.

"It's not about stopping progress. It's about finding smarter ways to grow — ways that don't harm the planet," he added.

Monzur Hossain, member of the General Economic Division at the Bangladesh Planning Commission, stressed the need for an adaptive framework that addresses both mitigation and other critical aspects of climate response.

Throughout the discussion, speakers highlighted the importance of engaging youth, technology, and the private sector in the climate agenda. 

Fahmida Khatun said CPD Climate Week aims to create a platform for collaboration among government, private sector, and grassroots actors to exchange practical ideas that can contribute to COP30 negotiations.