Remembering the undying voice of the marginalised, Dr Saleemul Huq
For nearly 50 of his 71 years, Prof Saleemul Huq devoted his life to advancing international climate policy and justice through scholarship, activism, and mentorship, serving as a pillar of support for future generations of climate leaders. Despite knowing me only briefly, Prof Huq took a moment during our last meeting at the 2023 Regional Climate Summit to ask if I had submitted my thesis. Just one month later, on 28 October, my family and people around the world awoke to the heartbreaking news of Prof Huq's passing due to a severe cardiac attack.
It's rare to find anyone in climate advocacy, activism, or research who hasn't encountered the name of Prof. Saleemul Huq, the distinguished Bangladeshi-British scientist. After his passing, many worldwide fell into silence and reflected on his contributions and cherished moments shared with him. As the Conference of Parties (COP) 28 approached, the absence of Dr Huq was profoundly felt; it was the first COP without his presence, though his voice endured through his tireless, year-long efforts.
Prof Huq was a trailblazer in the Global South's fight against climate injustice. Born in 1952, he spent his early years across three continents - Asia, Africa, and Europe - due to his parents' diplomatic work. In the 1970s, he moved to the United Kingdom to pursue his studies at Imperial College London, where he earned a doctorate in botany in 1978.
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In the 1980s, Dr Huq returned to Bangladesh, leaving behind a well-established life abroad to serve his country and its people. His profound contributions to knowledge in climate change, environmental issues, and development extended far beyond borders, as he led and inspired emerging climate scholars and activists worldwide. He continued his legacy of scholarship, leadership, and mentorship until his last day, leaving an indelible impact across the world.
First, Dr Saleemul Huq was more than just a climate scientist and advocate. He established a legacy of knowledge production aimed at combating all forms of climate injustice while amplifying the authentic stories of marginalization, vulnerability, and resilience from the Global South. He understood the importance and was very instrumental in his effort to bridge the gap between natural and social sciences. So he sought interdisciplinary solutions to the complex and existential threats posed by climate change and environmental issues.
From 1997 to 2014, Dr Huq served as a lead author for the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Assessment Reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Notably, he co-authored the chapter on "Interrelationships between Adaptation and Mitigation" in the Fourth IPCC Assessment Report, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
In 2019, Dr. Huq was recognized as one of the top twenty global influencers for his extensive body of scientific publications and his regular columns advocating for climate policy. After two years, in 2022, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honors, and Nature recognized him as one of the top ten influential figures in the climate change arena, both accolades reflecting his unwavering activism and impact.
The Daily Star highlighted his unwavering commitment to climate justice, noting his consistent column writing every week, which he rarely missed. Amid his advocacy and activism, he remained dedicated to the production and dissemination of knowledge. He ensured that the voices of climate-vulnerable communities were never silenced. His passing represents a profound loss for those whose voices he championed.
Second, Dr. Huq was one of the instrumental figures in establishing the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF). He was relentlessly putting efforts almost three decades to establish a Loss and Damage Fund. He was laying the groundwork through the establishment of the Least Developed Countries Universities Consortium on Climate Change (LUCCC). In August 2023, during an interview I conducted with him from London, he shared how he leveraged every regional and global event to engage with the G77 plus China to advance the agreement for institutionalizing the LDF. Dr. Huq and his colleagues organized pre-COP workshops and engaged in negotiations with various G77 plus China nations at different conferences to unify support for the LDF. Tragically, he did not live to see the fruition of his decade-long efforts. The announcement for the Loss and Damage Fund was made at COP28 after his passing, but he had advised and supported the COP President on related matters as an Advisory Committee Member of COP28.
After returning to Bangladesh, Dr. Huq co-founded the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) with Dr. Atiq Rahman. Together, they successfully urged the then Government of Bangladesh to establish a separate Ministry of Environment, with BCAS serving as a special research arm for this newly formed ministry.
In 1998, he moved back to the UK to work with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), where he served as Director of Climate Change and later a Senior Fellow when he started to split his time between Dhaka and London. He returned to Bangladesh in 2005 to establish the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) as a research hub affiliated with the Independent University Bangladesh. Additionally, he served in advisory capacities for numerous organizations, ranging from local to global and youth-led initiatives, including the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA), the UN Secretary-General's Scientific Advisory Body, and the Bangladesh Youth Environmental Initiative, among others. These roles enabled Dr. Huq to connect with and influence a vast network of climate and environmental experts. He was unparalleled in his ability to shape climate policy and negotiations both locally and globally.
Third, Dr. Saleemul Huq was a humble and compassionate advocate for climate justice. His warmth touched everyone he encountered. He left each person and place better for having known him, and people around the world bear witness to his generosity. Erin Roberts, a climate policy researcher and a mentee of Dr. Huq for over a decade, expressed how he offered mentorship and support with remarkable humility and simplicity, even to those he had never met before.
His advocacy extended beyond negotiation rooms, and his teaching went far beyond traditional classrooms. Dr. Huq taught at several institutions, including Imperial College London, the University of Dhaka, the United Nations University, and the Independent University Bangladesh. He mentored countless learners and leaders across three generations globally.
Dr. Huq recognized that few climate and environmental scientists in Europe, and only a handful in Asia and Africa, truly understood the realities of the escalating climate crisis, especially its impact on the Global South. As a result, he encouraged Bangladeshi youth to pursue studies in the Global North countries and return home equipped with the training needed to develop authentic climate expertise grounded in the local realities.
Dr. Huq firmly believed in the power of youth leadership to combat climate injustice and remained hopeful throughout his advocacy journey. In every virtual and in-person event, he seized the opportunity to inspire young people to take action and lead with knowledge. He transformed the ICCCAD into a hub for youth researchers and activists from Bangladesh and beyond. As a true steward of climate justice, he inspired both this generation's and previous generation's youth and scholars with his wise words and humble efforts. Today, these new stewards continue to carry forward his legacy across the globe.
In conclusion, the world has lost a steadfast advocate for climate justice, and the people of the Global South, who have historically endured severe climate injustices and environmental exploitation, have lost their most active and influential voice. Dr. Saleemul Huq's absence has left a significant void among his thousands of colleagues, fellows, mentees, and loved ones - none can compare to his unique impact.
Umme Sayeda is a researcher and advocate for ecological justice. She founded the Ecological Policy Nexus (EPN) and currently works with the Catalyzing Sustainable Transformation (CAST) Network, an action and policy research institute.
