BD seeks climate grants, not loans, at COP31

Bangladesh will push for debt-free, grant-based climate finance at the upcoming UN climate conference, with the government calling for coordinated efforts across public institutions, the private sector and civil society to strengthen the country’s negotiating position.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam made the call at a national dialogue titled “People-Led Policy: Bangladesh Position at COP31” at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka on Saturday.

Organised jointly by 33 national and international organisations working on climate change in Bangladesh, the dialogue presented civil society demands and recommendations ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31).

Shama said developed countries must fulfil their climate finance commitments through grants rather than loans, so vulnerable countries do not face additional debt burdens. She also called for equal attention to adaptation and mitigation, greater transparency in negotiations and stronger coordination among stakeholders.

She said efforts were underway to improve coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, adding that young climate advocates should also be involved in the process.

Bangladesh also plans to showcase environmentally friendly jute products at COP31 through a dedicated Jute Pavilion, she said, noting that the initiative could expand international markets and improve rural farmers’ livelihoods.

Mirza Shawkat Ali, director of Climate Change and International Convention at the Department of Environment, said initiatives were being taken to reduce industrial emissions. He stressed the need for credible evidence and specific action plans to present Bangladesh’s demands effectively in international negotiations.

Dr S M Munjurul Hannan Khan, executive director of Nature Conservation Management (NACOM), called for coordinated planning on climate finance, the blue economy, waste management and urban heat stress.

Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh and moderator of the dialogue, also urged collective efforts to secure grant-based climate finance, saying international support should not deepen the debt burden of climate-vulnerable countries and communities.