BELA, Civil Society Groups Demand Scrapping of 25-Year Energy Master Plan Draft
Dhaka, 29 January 2026 – The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), along with 12 other civil society organisations under the Bangladesh Working Group on Energy and Development (BWGED), has demanded the immediate scrapping of the draft 25-year Energy and Power Sector Master Plan, alleging that it was prepared without transparency, democratic process, or meaningful public participation. At a press conference held on January 18, the organisations said the draft plan violates High Court directives that require public consultation and stakeholder engagement in formulating long-term national energy policies. They warned that approving the plan in its current form would jeopardize Bangladesh’s energy security, environmental commitments, and social justice obligations. BELA and BWGED expressed serious concern that the draft continues to rely heavily on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), coal, and oil even after 25 years, at a time when the global energy transition is moving away from fossil fuels. They said such dependence would expose Bangladesh to volatile international markets and weaken national energy security. The groups also challenged the government’s claim that renewable energy would account for 44 percent of power generation under the plan, arguing that in reality it would reach only about 17 percent by 2050. They described this as misleading and insufficient to meet climate and sustainability goals. Another major criticism was the promotion of what they termed “false solutions,” including hydrogen, ammonia co-firing, and carbon capture technologies. According to BELA, these technologies are expensive, unproven at scale, and risk diverting resources away from proven renewable solutions. The organisations further warned that the draft overestimates future energy demand, which could result in excess power generation capacity. This, they said, would increase capacity charges and impose a heavy financial burden on the public, as already experienced in the power sector. Social and justice dimensions were also highlighted. BELA and BWGED said the draft ignores workers’ rights, gender equity, health impacts, agriculture, education, and the principles of a just transition. They stressed that any energy plan must protect vulnerable communities and ensure fairness in the shift to cleaner energy. The groups cautioned that if implemented, the draft could push Bangladesh’s carbon emissions to 186.3 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (MtCO₂e) by 2050, directly contradicting the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. BELA stated that a long-term energy strategy must be people-centric, climate-just, constitutionally compliant, and environmentally responsible. They emphasized that Bangladesh cannot afford to be locked into a prolonged fossil fuel pathway and that the energy transition must begin urgently. “The energy transition cannot wait,” the organisations said, calling for a new plan that is transparent, participatory, and aligned with global climate science and Bangladesh’s constitutional and environmental obligations.
Youth Leadership and Climate Justice Take Center Stage at ICCCAD Youth Fellowship Session
Dhaka, 26 January 2026 – On the occasion of World Education Day, an interactive session on youth leadership and climate justice was held at the CCDB Climate Center, bringing together ICCCAD Youth Fellows and climate practitioners to discuss the role of young people in shaping resilient and people-centered climate solutions in Bangladesh. The session was led by Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator, who engaged with the fellows in an open discussion on youth leadership, learning by doing, and the importance of local, traditional, and Indigenous knowledge in climate action. Emphasizing that climate solutions must be rooted in community realities, he highlighted how youth can bridge academic knowledge with grassroots practices to drive meaningful change. Participants explored critical themes such as decolonization in climate action, locally led adaptation, climate politics, intergenerational equity, and the rights of nature. The discussion underlined the need to move beyond top-down approaches and ensure that vulnerable communities are not only beneficiaries but active decision-makers in climate policies and programs. The session was part of the ICCCAD Youth Fellowship 2026, implemented by the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) at Independent University, Bangladesh, under the CAP-RES project. The fellowship is supported by the Embassy of Sweden and focuses on strengthening youth leadership, knowledge exchange, and collective action for climate resilience. Speakers and participants alike stressed that investing in young leaders is essential for building sustainable and just climate responses. The fellowship provides a platform for young climate advocates to engage in critical thinking, research, and field-based learning, preparing them to contribute effectively to national and global climate agendas. The enthusiasm, insight, and commitment demonstrated by the ICCCAD Youth Fellows reflected a growing movement of informed and values-driven youth who are shaping the future of climate justice in Bangladesh. Organizers expressed confidence that these young leaders will play a pivotal role in promoting inclusive, locally grounded, and equitable climate solutions in the years to come.