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Experts urge increased renewable energy use to tackle future challenges

Oct 10, 2024

| Saddam Hossain | Dhaka Tribune

Experts emphasized the need for increased use of renewable energy in Bangladesh, particularly in the RMG sector, to tackle future challenges in exporting RMG products.


They were speaking at the Bangladesh Climate Action Forum 2024, which was organized by the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE) on Thursday in Dhaka.


M Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, said: “Our renewable energy penetration is very low, only 2%. We want to move it upwards. 


“I am a strong believer in renewable energy. I advocated for renewable energy even before it became fashionable. Now, it is time to move on to larger systems with higher sustainability capacities, and the business community should take this opportunity to participate.


"The interim government is focused on reform, and we are not pursuing traditional business paths. Instead, we are taking on a new role. I hope you will join us on this journey and help lead the country forward," he added.


Michael Miller, ambassador and head of the European Union's delegation to Bangladesh, said Bangladesh is among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, and every fraction of a degree in global temperature increase matters.


“We have a shared obligation to act. Global gateway aims to mobilize up to 300 billion euros of public and private investments by 2027 through a combination of grants, concessional loans, and guarantees to de-risk investments,” he added.


Now, in Europe, domestic and international policies are guided by the European Green Deal, through which they plan to reduce greenhouse emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and zero emissions by 2050.


He also said that climate action will be one of the essential elements of a new partnership and cooperation agreement with Bangladesh, about which they will launch discussions with the authorities.


“We think that EU action is directly relevant for the RMG sector of Bangladesh. We adopted EU diligence directives including the introduction of a digital products passport. And trading with us addresses human rights and environmental risks within their global value chains,” he added.


Lutfey Siddiqi, chief adviser’s special envoy for International Affairs, said it matters how entrepreneurs and businesses produce things, not just what they produce at the cheapest cost.


“Climate transition poses a real risk that we need to consider. We should not treat it as a compliance issue but a proper business strategy issue where we can stand out as the superior standard,” he added.


Achim Tröster, ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, said that energy security is a critical concern for both Bangladesh and Germany. With Bangladesh emerging as a major regional economic power, it is vital to ensure that its energy needs are met in a way that is sustainable, secure, and resilient to the challenges posed by climate change.


Thijs Woudstra, charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, said he is really happy that the garment industry is moving forward to decarbonization and advancing positive climate action considering the national and global energy crisis.


“I am very much looking forward to a relationship with the Bangladeshi garment sector and private sector as a large to play an important role in advancing sustainable and circular textile in Bangladesh and continue knowledge sharing between our two countries,” he added.


In the panel discussion, Faisal Rabbi of the World Bank said that there are many ways of decarbonizing, such as energy efficiency, savings, and generation. 


In Bangladesh, motors are used either unrated or of the I-1 or I-2 type, but in the world, I-3 to I-5 motors are available, and they generate power through captive power, which wastes 30%- 40% of energy.


They should use modern technology to prevent this wastage and must align with SPPA or CPPA-based renewable energy usage.


“Factories must move away from fossil fuel-based power generation and the private sector has to jump in this regard,” he added.


Ziaur Rahman, country director of H&M for Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Ethiopia, said Bangladesh has been their great sourcing partner for the last four decades.


H&M plans to reduce carbon emission by 56% within 2030 and zero carbon by 2050, as a supplier, Bangladesh has a big role to play here.


However, Bangladesh is still behind its competitors and has to address the challenges as it produces only 2% of total energy from renewable sources and can be extended by the highest 15%-17%, which is also limited.


He added that one of Bangladesh's major solutions is to implement rooftop solar systems to produce more renewable energy.


Pran-RFL Chairman Ahsan Khan Chowdhury also echoed the same and urged for SPPA and CPPA to address the challenges regarding renewable energy.


In his opening remarks, Mostafiz Uddin, Founder & CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Exchange, said that they care about the planet and the country.


“Climate action is no longer a burden. For entrepreneurs, it's a business opportunity. This is how I think. For all of you, you all love Bangladesh and want to eliminate poverty and disasters,” he added.


Cheap labour is no longer a competitive advantage for Bangladesh. If they as entrepreneurs do not achieve the target set by the clients, they will not be able to succeed. To achieve the targets, the manufacturers need to share responsibility, collaborate, and support one another, he added.


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