Although the developed nations raise their military budgets each year, they look reluctant to live up to their pledges of providing financial support to climate vulnerable countries, said Environment and Forests Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Friday.
“They (developed countries) increased military budget by US$ 100 billion in the last three years. But, they didn’t keep their pledges to assist the climate vulnerable countries, which is painful for all,” he told a seminar in the city.
Institute of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) and Bangladesh Climate Change Journalist Forum (BCJF) jointly organised the seminar, titled ‘Doha Climate Conference: Expectation and Achievement’ at IDEB conference room.
Chaired by IDEB president, the seminar was addressed, among others, by coordinator of Bangladesh Climate Change Negotiation Team Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed, Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Atiur Rahman, executive director of Centre for Global Change Dr Ahsan Uddin Ahmed.
Speaking as the chief guest, Hasan Mahmud said Bangladesh has been playing a leading role in international climate negotiations to put pressure on the developed nations to reduce their carbon emission.
About the outcome of the Conference of Parties (COP-18), recently held in Doha, he said the conference was finally able to expend the Kyoto Protocol for the second period (2013-2020) to protect the planet from the adverse impacts of global warming.
Kholiquzzaman said the developed countries claim that they have already provided US$ 33 billion to the climatically vulnerable countries to cope with the adverse impacts of climate change, but after scrutiny of their support, the real figure is found only around four billion.
Dr Atiur Rahman said Bangladesh is moving ahead to cope with the adverse impacts of climate change despite its limited resources. “The government is providing US$ 100 million to the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund each year.”
He stressed the need for assessing the losses and damages of different sectors, including agriculture and health, due to the climate change impacts.
Coordinator of Climate Change Health Promotion Unit, the Health Ministry, Dr Iqbal Kabir, and deputy directors of the Department of Environment Ziaul Haque and Mirza Shawkat Ali, Journalist Rafiqul Bashar made power-point presentations at the seminar.
Source : EnergyBangla