Prime Minister sought grants, not loans, to tackle climate risk, Rizvi says at airport briefing

BNP acting secretary general and adviser to the prime minister Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman emphasised grant-based financing instead of loans to tackle the harmful effects of climate change.

He said the prime minister said in his speech that Bangladesh needs grants, not loans. Loans will increase the country's debt burden further, and grants are needed to tackle climate change risks, he quoted the prime minister as saying.

Rizvi made the remarks at a press briefing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Friday (13 November) morning. Earlier, he had received Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the airport when the prime minister returned home after taking part in the COP-31 conference.

The Turkish Airlines flight carrying the prime minister, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and his entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 5:40am.

Rizvi said that on 9 November a 21-member delegation led by the prime minister went to Antalya, Turkey, to join the Conference of the Parties (COP-31) conference organised by the United Nations. Heads of government and state from various countries and high-level representatives of international organisations took part in the conference.

He said the prime minister presented Bangladesh's needs and what needs to be done to tackle climate risks to world leaders through the COP-31 conference.

Rizvi said the prime minister presented a five-point proposal on behalf of Bangladesh at the conference to reduce the risk of global warming. It includes climate finance, loans, grants, financing for renewable energy and ensuring access to modern technology.

He said the prime minister emphasised international cooperation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He also discussed the matter with the prime minister of Australia.

Highlighting the prime minister's climate initiatives, Rizvi said the prime minister has announced the planting of 250 million trees in the next five years. Under the programme, about 30 to 40 million trees have already been planted in seven to eight months. Various government institutions, non-governmental organisations, schools and colleges have taken part in the activity.

He said rising temperatures around the world and the resulting loss of life show the severity of climate change. People have also died in intense heatwaves in various European countries this year. Global initiatives and mutual cooperation are essential to tackle this situation, he said.

Rizvi said the proposals presented by the prime minister at the conference to strengthen climate adaptation activities could play an important role. If implemented, vulnerable countries including Bangladesh will benefit in tackling climate risks, he said.

Calling the prime minister's visit fruitful, he said increasing international cooperation by presenting Bangladesh's position, initiatives and future plans on climate change challenges to world leaders received importance through the visit.