Bangladesh’s first green energy olympiad launches

The final round of the country's first large-scale two-day event (19-20 April 2025), the 'Green Energy Olympiad 2025,' has commenced today at the Bangladesh Military Museum.

Organised jointly by the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED) and the Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), the event is designed not only as a competition but also as a national platform where young individuals can demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection through logic, analysis, and leadership.

The Honourable Adviser graced the inauguration of the Green Energy Olympiad 2025 at the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change of Bangladesh, H E Syeda Rizwana Hasan. In her inaugural speech, she emphasised youth involvement in policymaking. She stated, "Administrative-centric decisions lead most of those voted into power in Bangladesh and are not directly representative of civil society or the youth. However, for building a sustainable and progressive Bangladesh, the input of youth, innovative thinking, and civil society guidance is crucial. If we truly wish to steer the country in a new direction, there is no alternative but to ensure the active participation of these two forces—the youth and civic leadership."

Rizwana Hasan added, "Those who support fossil fuels are not focused on reducing environmental crises but on sustaining them. The drastic reduction of foreign loans for the power sector from 3.2 billion dollars to 800 million dollars in just seven months sends a clear message that change is possible, provided there is political will."

In his remarks, Mr Nur Ahmed, Additional Secretary of the Power Division, highlighted the need to enhance capabilities at both personal and institutional levels. He stressed the importance of effectively prioritising resources and maintaining continuity in operations, which he considers the key to success in any sector.

In his closing remarks, Mr Hasan Mehedi, Chief Executive of CLEAN, stated, "The future of Bangladesh's energy is not just about electricity generation; it is about justice, the environment, and intergenerational security. The time is now to shift away from foreign-dependent fossil fuels and move towards fair energy transitions based on local and sustainable sources."

The Green Energy Olympiad 2025 (GEO 2025) is a nationwide educational competition to raise awareness and foster leadership among students regarding the significance of the environment, climate change, and renewable energy. Nearly 4,900 students from 150 colleges and universities are participating in the competition, which is held in six stages. Participants are evaluated on their knowledge, analysis, and presentation of arguments. The event has received broad support, with many emphasising its importance in encouraging youth leadership in environmental conservation and renewable energy.