Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said Bangladesh is committed to building a $1 trillion climate-resilient and sustainable economy.

Inspired by the philosophy of “Bangladesh First”, the government views economic growth and environmental protection as complementary priorities, he said. Industrialisation and development must go hand in hand with nature conservation and the preservation of ecological balance.

The prime minister made the remarks in an address at the high-level session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, on Thursday (November 12).

“Bangladesh is one of the countries on the frontlines of climate change, despite contributing less than 0.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Despite these challenges, the government is working to build a climate-resilient and sustainable economy,” he said.

He said the elected government had set a target of meeting 20% of the country’s electricity demand from renewable energy by 2030.

In line with the Paris Agreement’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions, the government has also launched an initiative to generate 4,000 megawatts of solar power through special tax incentives. It is also encouraging energy generation from waste, he added.

Highlighting the government’s efforts to promote green industrialisation, Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh currently has around 300 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified garment factories.

He added that initiatives were underway to expand environmentally friendly transport, including electric vehicles, promote sustainable products such as jute bags and develop a national framework for carbon trading.

The government has also planned to plant 250 million trees over the next five years, he said.

To protect the environment and strengthen climate resilience, the government is pursuing the Padma Barrage and Teesta Barrage master plans alongside the excavation of 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals. These initiatives aim to conserve water, reduce flood risks, restore wetlands and replenish groundwater levels, he added.

The prime minister also highlighted plans to restore mangrove forests on reclaimed coastal land, saying the initiative would help protect coastal communities and strengthen climate resilience.

Referring to shortcomings in the global climate finance system, Tarique Rahman said existing financing arrangements remained inadequate and did not properly reflect the needs and priorities of developing countries.

Climate-related losses and damage were placing a heavy burden on national economies, while rising debt repayments and limited financial resources were making the situation even more difficult, he said.

“Climate-vulnerable countries need grants, not more loans. They must be ensured reliable financial support, access to modern technology and stronger cooperation in climate adaptation,” he said.

Emphasising the principle of “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities” (CBDR-RC), the prime minister outlined five urgent measures Bangladesh is calling for to address the climate crisis.

He said at least 50% of international climate finance should be allocated to adaptation initiatives, while efforts to reduce emissions must also receive support.

He also called for emergency debt and relief facilities for climate-vulnerable countries, fair access to environmentally friendly technologies and technology transfer, as well as an accelerated transition to renewable energy through affordable financing and skills development.

In addition, he proposed adopting a “Belém-Antalya Action Mechanism” at COP31 to ensure a just energy transition based on fair financing and trade.

Stressing the importance of ensuring women’s and young people’s participation in climate action, Tarique Rahman said efforts must focus on creating decent green jobs and reducing global greenhouse gas emissions to keep the rise in global temperatures within 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Expressing hope for a successful COP31, he said Bangladesh expected the conference to deliver meaningful, balanced and ambitious outcomes, particularly for countries most vulnerable to climate change.

Calling on other world leaders to turn commitments into action, strengthen global solidarity and work together to build a sustainable future, he said, “Let us translate our commitments into action, strengthen global solidarity and build a sustainable future together.”