The Global Stocktake (GST) announced during the conference has highlighted several important issues. According to GST, without reduction in carbon emissions, the world’s temperature is projected to rise by 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2025. To prevent this scenario, renewable energy use must triple by 2035, and the carbon emission reduction potential of existing energy sources must more than double.
Farah Kabir, Bangladesh country director of ActionAid, a non-governmental organization that participated in the conference, told Prothom Alo that the most important achievement of the conference was the finalization of the Climate Damage Fund. This is important for Bangladesh given the increasing frequency of natural disasters such as cyclones, floods and heat waves due to climate change. There is an urgent need for assistance for those affected by these disasters, and it is important for Bangladesh to rapidly access funds from this newly established fund to assist the affected population.
The conference was attended by approximately 70,000 delegates from approximately 200 countries around the world. The government delegation of Bangladesh was represented by Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shahab Uddin and Deputy Minister Habibun Nahar, who participated in 37 conferences on behalf of the government. Additionally, 40 members of NGOs are also participating in the conference.
*This report, which originally appeared in Bengali in the Prothom Alo print edition, has been rewritten in English by Farzana Liaquat.