Climate plans must deliver measurable results

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has called for translating Bangladesh’s climate policies into coordinated programmes, quality projects and appropriate financing to achieve measurable outcomes.

He made the remarks while inaugurating the “Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP) Knowledge Conference 2026” in Dhaka recently, where he also unveiled the BCDP web portal.

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Organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change with support from the Asian Development Bank, the conference brought together more than 500 global and national climate leaders, policymakers, development partners, private sector executives and civil society representatives.

The minister said development decisions taken today would shape the country’s climate risks for decades, underscoring the need to factor long-term climate impacts into infrastructure development and economic planning.

He highlighted the distinct financial characteristics of climate adaptation initiatives, which deliver essential social welfare benefits but do not necessarily generate conventional commercial returns.

Climate finance frameworks, therefore, need to be aligned with Bangladesh’s fiscal realities to ensure that adaptation projects receive adequate funding, he said.

Mintoo also called for greater private sector participation in clean energy development, stressing the importance of mobilising investment to support the country’s climate goals.

On climate justice, he advocated stronger recognition of the loss and damage suffered by vulnerable communities due to climate change.

The minister further stressed the need to ensure the meaningful participation of women, young people, persons with disabilities and marginalised communities in climate project design and governance, emphasising an inclusive approach to climate action.

Satya Srinivas Lolla, executive director representing Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Laos, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan at the ADB, addressed the dual dynamics of Bangladesh’s graduation from the Least Developed Country category and its ongoing climate vulnerabilities.

Lolla said the true success of the conference would be determined not by the discussions, but by the actions and investments that follow. Turning ambition into reality will require substantial investment from both the public and private sectors.

He said the core objective of the partnership is to bring together financing, technical expertise, institutional capacity and partnerships so that Bangladesh can move from ambition to implementation.

Fahmida Khanom, acting secretary of the ministry, chaired the programme.

Sheikh Faridul Islam, state minister for environment, forest and climate change; Md Saimum Parvez, special assistant to the prime minister for environment, forest and climate change; ABM Abdus Sattar, principal secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office; and Mohammad Navid Shafullah, additional secretary for climate change at the ministry, among others, were also present.