Government Greenlights 29 Innovative Projects to Combat Climate Change Through Trust Fund Initiative

The Bangladesh government has given the green light to 29 new projects aimed at tackling climate change. This decision was made during the 62nd meeting of the Trustee Board, chaired by Syeda Rizwana Hasan at the environment ministry. Key government figures, including Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Women and Children’s Affairs Adviser Sharmin S Murshid, were present.

These projects aim to enhance climate resilience, protect the environment, and promote sustainable agricultural practices, especially in vulnerable areas. They include exciting new research on carbon emissions and how climate impact agricultural practices in Bangladesh’s haor wetlands. There will also be developments in eco-friendly technologies to boost dairy production.

An intriguing focus of these projects is plant phenology—the study of how climate change affects the timing of plant life cycles—across four ecological hotspots. To help farmers, there are initiatives to improve onion seed storage and promote climate-smart agricultural technologies in vulnerable areas like char, haor, and coastal regions. Urban centers like Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Sylhet will also see projects aimed at restoring water bodies and enhancing local ecosystems.

To address access to clean drinking water, solar-powered deep tube wells will be installed in the hilly terrains of Rangamati, with additional safe drinking water initiatives for communities in Bandarban. Other projects aim to replace plastic bags with subsidised jute bags, expand palm and mangrove plantations, conserve biodiversity, and research antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Various government and research institutions, including the Bangladesh Agricultural University and the Department of Public Health Engineering, will carry out these projects.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan highlighted the importance of a united approach to combat climate change, expressing hope that these initiatives will advance sustainable development while safeguarding the environment.

According to a recent survey by the Climate Action Network, 67% of citizens believe that climate change is a top priority for the government, reflecting a growing awareness and expectation for action. With these new projects, Bangladesh aims to build a more resilient future amidst the pressing challenges posed by climate change.

For more information on climate action initiatives, visit Climate Action Network.

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