Staff Correspondent

State Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam has called for evidence-based, practical, and long-term energy planning to ensure Bangladesh's low-carbon and climate-resilient development.

He made the remarks on Tuesday as the chief guest at a dialogue titled "University Dialogue on People-Led LT-LEDS: Bangladesh’s Low-Carbon Future" held at the RAISE Auditorium of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)

Organized by Youth for NDCs, the event was co-hosted by BUET, the Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development (IESD) of BUET, and the German Embassy in Dhaka, focusing on the theme "Energy Systems and Power Planning for Bangladesh’s LT-LEDS."

Stressing that the Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) must go beyond being just another climate document, the State Minister described it as a roadmap for national development. He noted that it should define the economy Bangladesh aims to build, the energy systems required to support it, strategic investment areas, and methods to prepare workers and youth while protecting natural ecosystems.

"Our task is not to choose between development and the environment," the State Minister said, emphasizing that the focus must be on building an energy system that advances both.

Special guest Kazi Raunqul Islam Tipu, Managing Director of the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust (BCCT), noted that climate financing represents public funds entrusted to authorities for environmental and human protection, demanding transparent, measurable, and long-lasting outcomes from every single taka spent.

The event also featured remarks from Elisa Benistant Fremigacci, Technical Officer for Just Transitions at the ILO Country Office for Bangladesh; Dr. Md. Ali Ahmed Shawkat Chowdhury, Director of IESD at BUET; and Amanullah Parag, Executive Director of Youth for NDCs.

During the dialogue, participating student teams formulated practical, technically sound recommendations regarding renewable energy, grid readiness, affordable electricity, energy efficiency, investment planning, institutional coordination, and youth participation. These proposals will be formally submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change to guide Bangladesh’s LT-LEDS formulation process.