Bangladesh failing to secure climate funds due to procedural inefficiencies: Experts

Bangladesh is facing challenges in accessing international climate funds due to difficulties in completing the necessary procedures, according to experts.

SM Munjurul Hannan Khan, executive director of Nature Conservation Management (NACOM), highlighted this issue during a day-long training workshop on strengthening climate change and conservation reporting and negotiation insights. 

In contrast, countries like China and India are effectively securing these funds through their skills and expertise, he said.

The workshop was held today (11 January), at the Nishorgo Community Center in Himchari National Park, Cox's Bazar.

Hannan Khan pointed out that although developed nations are largely responsible for greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, they are reluctant to fulfill their commitments to pay compensations for loss and damage. 

He said the processes for accessing these funds are so complicated that it becomes challenging for countries like Bangladesh to comply.

He further noted that the local media lacks the capacity to identify and report on climate change-related problems in a way that meets international standards. This deficiency, he said, is another major hurdle in securing funds. 

He also emphasised that many Bangladeshi development organizations are implementing innovative projects to address climate change impacts, but they are not receiving adequate exposure, which limits their ability to attract funding.

Dr. ASM Marjan Nur, adviser of the Climate and Environment at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the British High Commission in Dhaka, attended the event as the chief guest. 

He underscored the need to enhance the skills of journalists in crafting impactful climate stories. 

He expressed satisfaction with the collaboration between the British High Commission and NACOM in training journalists and assured continued support for such initiatives.

The workshop was organised under the "Strengthening the Negotiators: Empowering Bangladeshi Stakeholders in the UNFCCC Negotiations" project by NACOM and The Climate Watch, an online news portal reporting on climate change, in partnership with the Climate Ambition Support Alliance (CASA) and the UK Government's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

The inaugural session, chaired by SM Munjurul Hannan Khan, included speeches from Md Nurul Islam and Md Maruf Hossain, Divisional Forest Officers of Cox's Bazar's South and North divisions, respectively. Several experienced professionals conducted various sessions, including Shahnewaz Riton, journalist and lead researcher of The Climate Watch; Saleh Noman, executive editor of The Daily People's View; Shamsuddin Illus, bureau chief of The Business Standard; and ASM Suza Uddin, an independent journalist and IVLP alumni.

The workshop focused on empowering journalists and stakeholders to address climate change issues more effectively, with the aim of enabling Bangladesh to better secure international climate funds.