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Prof Yunus’s ‘Three-Zero’ vision at COP29

Published : Thursday, 21 November, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 671
Shahrina Akhtar, PhD
At COP29 in Baku, Bangladesh took center stage, showcasing innovative approaches to combating climate change. One of the highlights was Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus's compelling presentation of his "Three Zeroes" vision: zero net carbon emissions, zero wealth concentration, and zero unemployment. His call for a transformative shift in global systems reflects the urgent need for collective action and innovative solutions in the face of climate crises. This vision offers hope for a more equitable and sustainable future, with an emphasis on social business models and entrepreneurship as pathways to addressing both environmental and societal challenges.

Bangladesh's Role in Climate Resilience: Bangladesh, a nation highly vulnerable to climate change, has long been a forerunner in climate resilience. From pioneering the world's first nationally determined contribution (NDC) to implementing adaptive measures in agriculture and coastal management, its proactive stance has gained global recognition. At COP29, Professor Yunus expanded this legacy by urging the world to embrace a counter-culture of sustainability, particularly through social businesses designed to address both environmental and social challenges. These approaches reflect a strong commitment to tackling climate change while fostering socio-economic development, making Bangladesh a global leader in climate action.

Tackling Zero Net Carbon Emissions: Professor Yunus emphasized the need for a global shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, aligning with Bangladesh's commitment to clean energy. The country has made significant strides with its solar home systems, providing clean electricity to millions in rural areas. Bangladesh is also exploring wind energy to diversify its renewable energy sources. In line with its updated climate commitments, the nation has set an ambitious target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2030, prioritizing sustainable energy solutions and more efficient technologies. While these efforts are crucial, scaling them up and fostering international collaboration is essential to achieving the climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.

Achieving Zero Wealth Concentration: Wealth inequality hinders sustainable development, and Professor Yunus's vision advocates for resource redistribution through social businesses. This innovative model, which he pioneered, tackles systemic challenges like healthcare, education, and food security. Social businesses, designed to reinvest profits for societal benefit, offer a sustainable solution to pressing issues. Yunus's initiatives, such as Grameen Shakti, illustrate how empowering communities economically can reduce environmental degradation while enhancing quality of life. These businesses combine economic opportunity with social impact, contributing to both environmental sustainability and social equity, fostering a more inclusive path toward sustainable development. Yunus's vision of zero wealth concentration also challenges the traditional capitalist model that often exacerbates inequality, calling for a shift to a more inclusive economic system.

Combating Unemployment with Zero Joblessness: Professor Yunus advocates for a paradigm shift from job-seeking to entrepreneurship, particularly relevant in Bangladesh, where youth unemployment remains a significant challenge. By promoting entrepreneurship, he envisions a future where young people actively create businesses that not only thrive economically but also tackle environmental and social issues. Programs like Skills for Employment Investment help foster entrepreneurial education, supporting the development of skills that can drive sustainable growth. 

Yunus's proposal to encourage youth as "three-zero individuals", zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions, aligns with this vision, aiming to cultivate a generation of young entrepreneurs capable of building sustainable businesses for a better future. By creating an ecosystem that nurtures entrepreneurship, Bangladesh can reduce unemployment and harness the potential of its youth to drive economic transformation.

Bangladesh's Broader Climate Contributions: Bangladesh is making notable progress in agriculture by developing climate-resilient crop varieties and implementing advanced irrigation systems. Innovations like salt-tolerant rice and aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) techniques align with Professor Yunus's vision of sustainable solutions to address social and environmental challenges. These efforts help mitigate climate change's impact on agriculture while fostering economic growth. Bangladesh's active participation in global climate forums amplifies the voices of vulnerable nations, advocating for climate finance and equitable resource distribution. These initiatives contribute to food security, support livelihoods, and advance national sustainability, driving climate resilience and sustainable agricultural practices.

The Global Role of the "Three Zeroes": At COP29, Professor Yunus called on global leaders to adopt a "zero waste, zero carbon" lifestyle, urging a radical shift in how societies address environmental challenges. His appeal emphasized the need to tackle excessive consumption and profit-driven economies that harm the planet. Yunus advocates for systemic changes that prioritize sustainability over short-term economic gains, pushing for policies that balance economic growth with ecological preservation. His vision envisions a future where development aligns with environmental stewardship, encouraging leaders to adopt practices that protect the planet. This shift towards sustainable consumption and production is vital for combating climate change and ensuring a habitable world for future generations.

A Path Forward: Bangladesh's leadership in climate resilience, combined with Professor Yunus's transformative vision, stands as a beacon of hope in the global fight against climate change. By integrating zero-emission policies, equitable wealth distribution, and innovative employment strategies, Bangladesh has the potential to become a model for other nations striving for sustainable development. Yunus's vision, which emphasizes the importance of social business and youth entrepreneurship, provides a framework for addressing both environmental and societal challenges. His proposal for a "three-zero" world, zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions, offers a roadmap for achieving sustainable prosperity.

However, realizing this future requires more than just strong policies. It demands active participation from all sectors, including the private sector, civil society, and international allies. The success of initiatives like salt-tolerant crops, aquifer storage and recovery, and renewable energy solutions will rely on collaboration across these groups. With the world's collective effort, these initiatives can be scaled to meet the growing demand for climate solutions.

As COP29 concludes, the spotlight now shifts to how Bangladesh and the global community will implement the principles of the "Three Zeroes", zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero carbon emissions. Yunus's visionary leadership offers the inspiration, but turning these principles into actionable strategies requires collective efforts at every level. With commitment and cooperation, a sustainable, equitable, and resilient future is within reach, demonstrating that the transformation of global aspirations into practical solutions is not only necessary but achievable. Through bold actions and partnerships, the world can move towards a future where sustainability is embedded in every aspect of our economic, social, and environmental systems.

The writer is Technical Specialist & Research Adviser, Krishi Gobeshona Foundation



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