Research to combat climate change will be prioritised: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that the government will give top priority to research, innovation, training, and extension activities to address the growing impacts of climate change.

In a message marking World Environment Day, observed on Friday (June 5), the Prime Minister said climate change has emerged as one of the most serious global challenges facing humanity.

He noted that rising sea levels, heatwaves, irregular rainfall, cyclones, tidal surges, flash floods, droughts, and biodiversity loss are severely affecting lives, livelihoods, and economies worldwide.

Although the country contributes minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, the Prime Minister said the country remains one of the most climate-vulnerable due to its geographic location, high population density, and climate-sensitive economy.

He highlighted challenges such as increasing salinity, declining agricultural productivity, climate-induced displacement, and intensifying natural disasters as major threats to national development.

The prime minister said the country is already implementing key frameworks, including the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), to strengthen climate resilience through coordinated policy action.

He added that priority areas include coastal protection, social forestry, disaster preparedness, rehabilitation of climate-displaced communities, and nature-based solutions.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development, he said a plan has been taken to plant 2.5 billion trees over the next five years. The government is also working to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals nationwide to improve environmental resilience.

He further mentioned initiatives to expand renewable energy use, promote green industrialisation, ensure eco-friendly urbanisation, strengthen waste management, improve public transport, and adopt environmentally friendly technologies.

The prime minister called for collective efforts, environmental awareness, and responsible behaviour to build a greener, safer, and climate-resilient Bangladesh.

Referring to this year’s theme of World Environment Day, “Climate Action,” he said global urgency has increased as the impacts of climate change intensify worldwide.