Achieving Global Climate Goals Dhaka, Washington to forge new partnership

Having returned to the Paris Agreement after assuming office in January, US President Joe Biden is eager to work with Bangladesh as part of a new global partnership to fight climate change and protect future generations.

The US is ready to provide funding and leadership in raising climate ambition -- net zero carbon emissions and adaptation mechanisms -- and the "Leaders Summit on Climate" to be hosted by Biden on April 22-23 will prepare the groundwork ahead of the COP26 in Glasgow in November.

"We have experienced the hottest month and year in human history [last year]. We see the damages all across the world -- fires, flood, drought, sea level rise, food production being hampered… migration is already happening because of climate change," said US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry yesterday.

"We know from scientists we all need to take actions."

Kerry, who arrived in Dhaka at 11:30am yesterday, following visits to India and the UAE, called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the afternoon and handed over Biden's invitation to attend the "Leaders Summit on Climate" to be hosted by the US president on April 22-23.

The summit will be attended by 40 global leaders of major economies and climate vulnerable countries.

"Returning of the US to the Paris Agreement will create new momentum to the climate diplomacy," the PM said when Kerry called on her at the Gono Bhaban, reports BSS.

Earlier yesterday, Kerry participated in a climate finance roundtable with international partners, hosted by US Ambassador Earl Miller at his official residence.

He then held meetings with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Environment Minister Shahab Uddin, Special Envoy of the Vulnerable Forum Presidency Abul Kalam Azad, Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam at the state guesthouse Padma in the capital.

At the meeting, they discussed accelerating interventions to keep the global temperature increase within 1.5 degrees Celsius, plans and projects being implemented by Bangladesh, including the Climate Change Trust Fund, National Solar Energy Roadmap, Bangladesh National Climate Action Plan, establishing 14,000 cyclone shelters, Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, planting of 11.5 million saplings, Planetary Emergency Resolution and protecting and preserving the Sundarbans.

Briefing reporters on the meeting, Foreign Minister Momen said Dhaka solicited assistance for renewable energy, US partnership with Global Adaptation Centre's regional office in Dhaka, and Bangladesh's plan to hold a high-level side event during the COP26 in Glasgow.

Momen said thousands of people are displaced every year in Bangladesh due to river erosion, while the problem of salinity due to sea level rise is affecting people's' ealth -- issues that need global support to be addressed.

As chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, Dhaka also sought US support to create an office of the special rapporteur at the UN, and urged for a proactive US role in Rohingya repatriation.

Bangladesh officials also discussed Bangladesh-US climate collaboration in adaptation, renewable energy, waste management, technology transfer and climate finance.

"We both agreed to collaborate to achieve our goals for a better future for the next generation," Momen said.

He raised the issue of losses and damages due to climate events, requested for assistance in afforestation in the southern coastal region and reconstruction and widening of river embankments to stop erosion.

"Kerry is a doer. He has been a success story… now, we would hope John Kerry will help achieve the 100-billion-dollar climate fund from next year. This could be his landmark. Out of that, 50 percent should be allocated for adaptation and 50 percent for mitigation," he said.

Kerry, former US secretary of state, told journalists that he was delighted that PM Hasina would take part in the summit and that the two countries would be able to work together to conduct research and develop technology.

Referring to his visit to India and the UAE, Kerry said both the countries have pledged to raise climate ambitions and accelerate the transition to clean energy.

"This does not require sacrifice. This does not require a lesser quality of life; it is a better quality of life, with cleaner air, less disease, less cancer. It will create tens of millions of jobs in the deployment of technologies for creation of a new energy future."

Kerry said President Biden had proposed to set aside two trillion dollars to help the US achieve zero carbon emissions in the power sector by 2035.

He said under a multi-year programme, the US may commit $15-17 million for Bangladesh's access to affordable clean energy, fostering transparent and efficient energy market and advance innovation.

The US earlier had not paid the money to the fund due to Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. The developed countries have committed to mobilise $100 billion annually to the fund for mitigation and adaptation.

Biden will make further commitment for taking forward the $100 billion fund annually.

"That's the beginning," Kerry said.

Asked if the US will provide compensation under the "Loss and Damage" principle according to which major carbon emitters should compensate the climate-affected countries, Kerry said, "First thing's first.

"We need to invest significant amount of money… this is the first step, instead of the loss and damage issue. This will not help produce the new money," he said, adding that for example, the Sundarbans need to be protected and this needs money.

Let that happen first instead of speaking of compensation, he said.

The US Embassy in Dhaka in a statement said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be recognised in the Global Leaders' Summit for Bangladesh's leadership as chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and the Vulnerable Twenty Group of Finance Ministers.

"Bangladesh plays a vital role in international efforts to combat climate change and adapt and build resilience to climate hazards," it said.

"Secretary Kerry's visit underscores the importance the United States places on our partnership with Bangladesh, a vital leader in international efforts to address climate change," US Ambassador Earl Miller said in the statement.

During the meeting with Hasina, Kerry said the US president put emphasis on using alternative source of energy like renewable ones, including solar energy and hydroelectricity, to reduce pollution.

Kerry said US companies are keen to invest in the renewable energy sector in partnership with others.

The PM said Bangladesh's contribution to carbon emission is negligible and that the country needs energy for development. She also said Bangladesh is in talks with India, Bhutan and Nepal to set up hydropower plants in a bilateral or trilateral manner on a regional basis, reports BSS.

She thanked President Biden for inviting her to join the "Leaders Summit on Climate".

COVID-19 AND ROHINGYA CRISIS

Kerry told Hasina that US can provide Covid-19 vaccines to Bangladesh if it wants as the US demand for the vaccine will be met by mid-summer.

Earlier, responding to reporters' questions at state guesthouse Padma, Kerry said the pandemic underscores that the world needs to work together as it affects all people across borders.

He said Biden has a commitment of vaccinating 100 million Americans in the first 100 days of his administration. As vaccines continue to be produced, there will be a surplus that the US will make available for other countries, possibly after May.

He said India, Japan and Australia also decided on a distribution effort to make sure that vaccines will be distributed to countries that cannot afford it and don't have the technology.

"President Biden believes deeply that we have a responsibility -- moral and practical -- to bring the whole world back from this outbreak," he said, criticising nationalistic attitude of some countries in terms of vaccine supplies.

Asked how the US can help address the Rohingya crisis, he said it is one of the greatest moral challenges today to address what has happened to the Rohingyas and what is happening to the people in Myanmar.

He said the US is grateful to Bangladesh's generosity for sheltering Rohingya refugees, but added that this is not the sole responsibility of Bangladesh but of the global community, and the US is committed to step up efforts to address the crisis.

Kerry said the US has worked hard to bring democracy to Myanmar but the country has not honoured that.

The US administration is focused on the crisis in Myanmar and will do everything to restore democracy and help release the pressure that Roingyas have put on Bangladesh.

Kerry left Dhaka at 5:48pm yesterday.