DHAKA, April 24, 2024 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed today said the government is committed to combating climate change by increasing renewable energy target to 40 percent.

Addressing a technical session titled 'Implementation National Guidelines in Urban Local Government Context with Effective Participation: Learning from Practices' at the ongoing NAP Expo 2024 in Bangabandhu International Conference Centre here, she emphasized Bangladesh's leadership in adaptation capacity and highlighted the importance of public and mental health amid climate challenges.

Dr Farhina stressed the need for taking extensive tree plantation programes in urban areas to mitigate rising temperature.

The government is actively involved in tree plantation programmes and encouraging in public participation to this end, she said, underscoring the need for creating water reservoirs in Dhaka city aiming to cope with climate change impacts.

About the updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), the environment secretary outlined the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 6.73 percent in 2030, with a potential additional reduction of 15.12 percent with international assistance.

She emphasised the critical role of international financial support in realising Bangladesh's climate action plans.

Sarwar Bari, Director General of Local Government Division (Planning); Dana de la Fontaine, Cluster Coordinator of GI Lloyd's Climate Change and Sustainable Urban Development Cluster; and M Mehdi Ahsan, country representative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Bangladesh, also spoke.