Youth climate activists call for revision of national energy plan
Over 200 youth climate activists staged a climate strike in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka today as part of the Global Climate Strike.
They called for an urgent revision of Bangladesh's Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) and warned that the current plan promotes costly, polluting fossil fuels, undermining national and global climate goals.
Waving colourful banners and chanting "No false solutions — we demand renewable energy", protesters highlighted the climate crisis and urged the government to prioritise renewable energy in national energy policies. They warned that continued fossil fuel dependency would endanger a sustainable future for the next generation.
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Speakers expressed concern that the IEPMP contradicts the government's climate commitments and risks deepening the country's environmental vulnerability. They called on multinational investors and banks to stop financing fossil fuel projects. They urged the Bangladesh government to lead in demanding clean energy solutions and climate finance justice.
Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, stated, "Our energy planning must reflect the climate crisis, not the interests of fossil fuel lobbies. The IEPMP must be revised to ensure fairness, transparency, and alignment with local realities. Now is the time to empower people, prioritise renewables, and abandon false solutions."
Youth speakers also demanded unconditional cancellation of climate-related debt for vulnerable countries like Bangladesh, and the fulfilment of climate finance promises by wealthy nations. They noted that, although Bangladesh contributes minimally to global emissions, it suffers disproportionately from climate impacts.
Aruba Faruq, a youth activist, said, "Bangladesh is not responsible for the climate crisis, yet we bear the brunt of the damage. The polluters must pay."
In solidarity with the youth, Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Director of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), criticised the IEPMP as a flawed legacy plan that ignored fiscal pressures in the energy sector. "This is the moment to re-evaluate the plan and ensure it is based on domestic solutions and financing, with full transparency and accountability," he added.
Professor Kamruzzaman Majumder, Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) Chair, called for emission-based decision-making and better integration with the upcoming Renewable Energy Policy 2025.
The protest took place simultaneously in 50 districts across Bangladesh. It was led by students from schools, colleges, and universities and coordinated by YouthNet Global in partnership with Fridays for Future.
