Climate Justice Assembly: 'Dhaka Declaration' calls for climate justice, fossil fuel phase-out

The two-day Climate Justice Assembly 2024 concluded today (8 December) in Dhaka with the pledge of "Dhaka Declaration" demanding climate justice for all in Bangladesh.

The event brought together national and international experts, activists, and representatives from vulnerable communities to discuss the pressing climate and environmental challenges facing the nation, reads a press release.

National speakers include Jalal Ahmed, chairman, Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Council, Prof Dr Mohammed Jahirul Haque, vice chancellor of Metropolitan University, Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, Md. Shamsuddoha, chief executive from CPRD, Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, chairman of Center for Renewable Energy Services Limited, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, chief moderator of the Equity BD, Rabeya Begum, executive director of Shariatpur Development Society, Professor Anu Mohammad, Mohin Kumar Mondol, executive director of LEDARS. 

International speakers who presented their valuable remarks include Donna Lisenby, CEO, Riverfox Environmental, Ian Rivera, national coordinator, Philippines Movement for Climate Justice (PMCD), Syed Baluch, general secretary, Pakistan Fisherfolks Forum, Yuki Tanabe, program director, JACSES, Ayumi Fukakusa, Friends of the Earth Japan, Lidy Nacpil, coordinator, APMDD, Malou Tabios Nuera, senior energy campaigner, APMDD, Makiko Arima, finance campaigner, Oil Change International, Shibayan Raha, partnership coordinator, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. 

On the morning of the second day of the conference, the strategy session unfolded.

In this session, representatives of communities affected by climate change, environmental activists, and local and foreign experts elaborated on the findings synthesised out of the previous day's discussions. 

The session was presided over by Dr Mujibur Rahman Howlader, convener of the rally organising committee and adviser of DHORA. Sharif Jamil, coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh, Md Mustafizur Rahman, chief executive officer of CPRD jointly acted as facilitator of the session, Shamsuddoha, senior energy campaigner of APMDD Malo Tabuis Nuera and vice chancellor of Metropolitan University Mohammad Zahirul Haque.  

Ian Rivera, chief coordinator of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, discussed the experience of the Philippines in the second session of the day moderated by Liddy Nakpil, coordinator of APMDD Philippines, and chaired by Dr Mujibur Rahman Howlader.

The assembly finds that the Bangladesh government's reliance on fossil fuels has been consistent and continuous.

While reviewing the decisions of the COP29, the speakers expressed disappointment and resentment over the lack of significant progress in generating the climate fund, rather the decisions taken will pave the way for business profits.  

Local communities coming from the coastal area are facing a food crisis due to extreme weather calamities, cyclones, tidal surges, waterlogging, salinity, erosion, and sea level rise. Furthermore, due to river erosion and the destruction of forests and natural resources, they are being deprived of various basic needs like food, social security, education, and housing, and have become permanently displaced by losing livelihood and land. 

Unplanned industrialization, and polluting industries, like coal, and gas-based power plants have already generated extreme adverse effects on the lives, livelihoods and ecosystem of the coastal areas.

Therefore, the assembly demanded the cancellation of all coal-based power plants including the Rampal to Matabari power plants, and the scrapping of all gas and LNG-based power plants. 

The assembly made several urgent calls to address climate justice and environmental sustainability in Bangladesh:

• Develop site-specific adaptation plans involving grassroots participants, fostering partnerships, and ensuring public monitoring during implementation.
• Conduct comprehensive vulnerability analyses to understand the diverse and disproportionate impacts of climate change on women, indigenous groups, and marginalized professions, addressing issues of exclusion and marginalization.
• Require environmental and social impact assessments before planning or implementing climate change and development projects, ensuring safeguards for ecology, biodiversity, gender, and indigenous rights, and avoiding maladaptation.
• Ensure transparency and inclusivity in environmental and social impact assessments for large-scale infrastructure projects, with active participation from affected communities.
• Maintain equitable freshwater flow in transboundary river systems while protecting rivers, canals, and wetlands nationwide.
• Hold corporations and fossil fuel industries legally accountable for compensating communities affected by environmental damage.
• Restore livelihoods for farmers and fishers, while providing alternative income sources where needed.
• Repair and reinforce embankments and polders with agricultural or residential uses, addressing waterlogging issues and preserving the deltaic environment with sustainable urban and rural planning.
• Mandate full disclosure of financial and environmental details of MDB-funded coal and gas power projects, including agreements, EIAs, and safeguard measures.
• Introduce public audits to ensure compliance with social and environmental standards in energy projects.
• Phase out all fossil fuel subsidies, redirecting the funds toward renewable energy development.
• Create a definitive roadmap to eliminate fossil-fuel-based power plants and transition to renewable energy sources.
• Implement immediate measures to halt pollution of water, air, and soil across Bangladesh, particularly in coastal areas.