What Bangladesh can learn about climate justice from Sri Lanka
As Bangladesh grapples with severe pollution and environmental challenges, Sri Lanka's proactive measures offer valuable insights for us
Sri Lanka has recently taken significant actions to promote climate justice in South Asia. Just like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh is struggling with increasing sea levels, severe weather, and environmental deterioration.
Since Bangladesh is experiencing severe pollution issues and is also vulnerable due to climate change, the country has officially ratified the Global Ocean Treaty for marine protection in South Asia.
To achieve meaningful progress, Bangladesh must adopt a more strategic approach, learning from Sri Lanka's environmental activism and conservation efforts.
In amenability with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Bangladesh ratified the Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement about two years ago. This agreement is commonly known as the Global Ocean Treaty or the High Seas Treaty. Even though this agreement is impactful, positive actions to safeguard marine habitats are still required.
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The strategy of Sri Lanka indicates the significance of taking tangible steps to uphold these accords, but Bangladesh is far away from legal implications to safeguard its coastal resources, especially in the Bay of Bengal, where marine health is essential to the nation's economy, food security, and way of life.
Sri Lanka's initiative is still in process and local communities are learning about climate action due to campaigns by the INGO Greenpeace South Asia. Sri Lanka has led successful mangrove restoration projects, driven by local fishing communities in collaboration with environmental organisations. Bangladesh, with its vast coastal communities and ecosystems like the Sundarbans, can similarly tap into the traditional knowledge of local populations.
Another notable example is Sri Lanka's national policy, which has been balanced against international environmental norms. Their government collaborates with NGO and INGO activities to safeguard the environment and address climate-related concerns through treaties and regulations.
The Cabinet decision of Sri Lanka to sign the High Seas Treaty and its commitment to the Global Ocean Treaty demonstrate the value of international collaboration in marine conservation.
Bangladesh, because of its dependency on the Bay of Bengal, should step up its lobbying in international forums to conserve shared marine resources. Bangladesh needs a more equitable and sustainable climate future by supporting agreements. The country should support the Global Ocean Treaty and tackle concerns such as ocean pollution and sustainability.
The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MOEFCC) of Bangladesh is responsible for ensuring environmental sustainability and optimal forest coverage through biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, pollution control, climate change mitigation, research, floristic surveys, and forest resource development.
The Department of Environment (DoE) was established under Section 3 of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act of 1995. The DoE's two core functional departments, "Administration, Planning, and Development" and "Technical," are each managed by a director.
However, when it comes to maintaining the maritime environment, there is a clear dearth of ability and experience. The Department of the Environment lacks comprehensive data and knowledge on the current condition of marine pollution and the measures being taken to reduce it.
Similarly, the Ministry of Shipping (MoS) of Bangladesh is the strongest government entity responsible for implementing the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions. This ministry's authority includes national waterways, internal water transportation, ports, and ocean shipping. It is responsible for regulating marine transport, addressing environmental concerns, ensuring safety, and providing maritime education.
The MoS is also in charge of developing plans and procedures to facilitate the proper implementation of marine projects. The ministry also works to maintain and expand inexpensive, dependable water transportation infrastructure, which is critical to both urban and rural economies.
On the other hand, marine safety regulation in Bangladesh is managed by the Department of Shipping (DoS), which is part of the MoS. Developing and enforcing national laws and policies to protect people and ships at sea is the responsibility of this department.
Sri Lanka also questioned the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding climate change for global responsibility.
Moreover, Sri Lanka is in the process of fairness in climate justice, stressing equity, reparation, and financial aid for disadvantaged nations. This includes campaigning for financial assistance and technology transfer from nations with record-breaking pollution. This diplomatic effort to take a more proactive stance in global climate discussions, demanding not only emission reductions but also justice, equity, and compensation for the nations most impacted by climate change.
As COP29 has been held recently, the momentum grows approaching COP30 in Brazil. The Global South's activism is vital. Perseverance is essential in the continuous struggle for accountability and equality; therefore, nations like Bangladesh need to keep pushing for more sustainable demands for climate justice.
Every environmentally beneficial activity should be reviewed quickly by both domestic and foreign authorities in order to support national environmental justice programs and the global need for climate action.
The historic ICJ hearings, in which India and Sri Lanka requested more accountability from polluting countries, were a historic turning point for the Global South. Bangladesh has a unique opportunity to use the ICJ platform to raise awareness about its climate vulnerability and advocate climate justice and restitution. Bangladesh may utilise the ICJ proceedings to advocate for appropriate compensation and aid for countries that are most severely impacted by climate change.
Bangladesh has the option of ratifying the High Seas Treaty, which would be a game changer. Bangladesh can learn a lot from Sri Lanka's proactive approach to climate justice, which combines community participation, international advocacy and official commitment.
Bangladesh can achieve a more resilient and equitable future for its people and the globe by embracing these lessons and positioning itself as a leader in the fight for climate justice. It is time for Bangladesh to stand up more in global climate negotiations and promote policies that prioritise justice, accountability, and the prospects for future survival.
Tanjina Akter Riya is a Research Fellow at the Global Institute of Law, Oxford, England.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
