Environment and development must go together 

BNP Vice-Chairman and business leader, former President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the present Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Abdul Awal Mintoo recently informed the Jatiya Sangsad that the government has taken a series of comprehensive measures to protect the country from the adverse impacts of climate change. The Daily Observer wants to explore the steps adopted by the government and share it with its readers elaborately. This is why we have interviewed the Minister and Shahnaj Begum, In-charge of the Climate and Environment, has conducted it. Excerpts of the interview are as follows: 

DO: Environmental issues-such as air pollution, water contamination, river degradation, industrial waste, noise from horns, brickfield emissions, and black smoke-have become a huge challenge in Bangladesh and have severely damaged its livability. As all these burdens now rest on the shoulders of the present government, how would you describe the current situation?
Answer: Bangladesh faces serious environmental pressures-air pollution, water contamination, river degradation, industrial waste and noise pollution. These are accumulated challenges requiring not only stronger enforcement of rules and regulations but also systemic reforms, better monitoring and coordinated action across government and stakeholders to solve.
Locally Led Adaptation Framework (LLAF) has been formulated to ensure grassroots participation in adaptation activities and their effective implementation.
However, the ministry has prepared the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to strengthen climate resilience and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to implement mitigation actions. These plans are being executed through relevant ministries, divisions and agencies, in addition, the Department of Environment has initiated the formulation of Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) to guide sustainable, low-carbon development.

DO: Could you please describe your short-term and long-term plans for addressing Bangladesh's environmental crises? Is your current manpower sufficient to discharge their duties effectively?
Answer: In the short term, we will focus on major pollution sources, compliance and enforcement. As part of immediate action, the government has undertaken projects across the country, including Brahmanbaria district, under an 180-day short-term plan. 
These include forest restoration in government forest areas, mangrove afforestation in coastal char regions, and plantation of 15 million saplings along roads, highways, embankments, rivers and canals, as well as other marginal lands. Long term, we aim for modern, digital and risk-based environmental governance. The key issue is not simply manpower numbers but having the right skills, institutions and deployment to meet the workload.

DO: Environment and development never go hand in hand. As a business leader, how do you differentiate between the two?
Answer: I would challenge the premise. Environment and development must go hand in hand. The objective is sustainable development-economic growth that creates jobs and investment without compromising environmental quality, public health or future generations.

DO: Waste-ranging from household garbage and industrial refuse to e-waste-is a massive challenge that is jeopardizing the lives of citizens. What is the government's concrete plan to address this issue?
Answer: Our approach is to move from waste disposal to waste management and resource recovery. Priorities are source segregation, efficient collection, recycling, treatment, safe disposal, e-waste management and stronger producer and private-sector responsibility.

DO: If I were to ask how much funding is immediately needed to tackle the waste problem or to clean the water around Dhaka city, what would your estimate be?
Answer: The requirement is substantial and depends on the scale and technology involved. For greater Dhaka alone, a US$370 million programme is already supporting improved waste and sanitation services, pollution reduction and river and canal restoration. But finance must be accompanied by institutional reform, enforcement and effective operation.
Government formed the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (CCTF) from its own resources to implement the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP), 2009. As of March 2026, around Taka 4,383.95 crore has been earmarked for 985 projects-924 government and 61 non-government. Of these, 828 projects (771 government and 57 non-government) have already been completed, while 153 government projects are currently under implementation. All approved projects are being implemented at district and upazila levels to strengthen climate resilience nationwide.

DO: All eyes are now set on COP31. What will Bangladesh highlight at this conference, and what changes does the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change plan to propose in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in line with its election manifesto?
Answer: At COP31, Bangladesh will emphasise adaptation, climate finance, loss and damage, technology transfer, capacity building and just transition, with a strong focus on implementation. NDC 3.0 already provides our current framework; any future enhancement should reflect national priorities; development needs and implementation capacity.

DO: Since environmental pollution is a shared concern with other South Asian countries-particularly regarding air and water quality-what is the government's plan to address these transboundary issues? Is there any joint regional plan in place?
Answer: Air and water pollution require regional solutions. Bangladesh will strengthen data sharing, joint monitoring, scientific cooperation and regional dialogue on transboundary pollution, while continuing bilateral and regional cooperation on shared rivers and ecosystems.

DO: What is your dream for Dhaka city and for Bangladesh as a whole?
Answer: My vision is a clean, green and resilient Dhaka-cleaner air, healthy rivers and canals, and scientific waste management. For Bangladesh, it is development that is prosperous, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable.

DO: Development partners are now disbursing climate adaptation funds as loans rather than grants. How do you view this shift in funding modalities?
Answer: Adaptation finance should be adequate, predictable, accessible and predominantly grant-based or highly concessional, particularly for vulnerable countries. Bangladesh should also strengthen domestic resource mobilisation and innovative climate financing.
To enhance international climate financing, strengthen project development capacity and promote coordination among national and international partners, the government has established the Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP). A comprehensive framework has been developed under Article-6 of the Paris Agreement to ensure transparent participation in international and voluntary carbon markets. All these things were done in line with the idea to attract foreign investment and boost climate financing through carbon credit trading.

DO: Bangladesh contributes very little to global pollution yet bears one of the highest costs of climate impacts. At the same time, it has signed-and is set to sign-various international treaties promoted by rich countries, many of which are directly tied to the nation’s economic development. How do you define this complex trade-off?
Answer: Bangladesh must balance environmental responsibility with legitimate development needs. Our approach should be guided by CBDR-RC, national circumstances and economic competitiveness, while ensuring that international commitments are supported by adequate finance, technology and capacity. The adverse impacts of climate change cannot be mitigated in a single day, emphasising that the government’s efforts to address the issue will continue in a sustained and planned manner.