PM for urgent unified global action to save planet

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday stressed the need for an 'urgent unified global remedial action' to save the planet from impending crisis caused by spike in temperature.

"As per the current prediction, the temperature could even rise by more than 4.5 Degree Celsius by the end of this century making the earth completely not fit to live if immediate remedial actions are not taken," she said.

She added: "Only by the unified global action, we can overcome the impending crisis. The time to take action to save the planet is not tomorrow, it is today. "

The premier said this in a pre-recorded speech at a High-Level Panel Closing Session of the UNFCCC Race to Zero Dialogues titled "Transformational Leadership to Meet Net-Zero Ambition."

Sheikh Hasina said the global leadership must take bold decisions to reduce carbon emission to save life and precious resources.

"All the governments need to largely increase their ambitions to the best of their capacity if we want to save our planet and ourselves," she said.

The prime minister said that the bottom 100 countries account for just 3.5 percent of the global emission whereas the G20 countries are responsible for three-quarters.

"So, we expect more responsible actions from the leadership of these countries. We also call for an international day to be named 'Climate Resilience Day' to secure our harmony with mother earth," she added.

"We call for the promised 100 billion US dollars per year to support adaptation and mitigation activities," the PM said.

She urged the concerned global leadership to assure concessional finance and debt relief and access to technology for all.

The premier opined that strict implementation of the Paris Agreement is the only way out, and the issue of 'Loss and Damage' must be mainstreamed.

Referring to the Paris Climate Accord, she said: "We should not allow the global temperature to rise above 1.5 Degrees Centigrade."

Sheikh Hasina pointed out that that the global temperature has already risen almost one degree centigrade above the pre-industrial level.

She mentioned that this year Bangladesh faced recurrent flooding along with two cyclones that damaged crops and habitats, and affected people's livelihood amid COVID-19 pandemic.

"All these were happing due to global warming which is altering the nature," she said.

The premier said though the climate change is a stark reality for all, it is more evident for the climate vulnerable countries like Bangladesh.

She said that further increase of sea level, even for half a metre, could threaten the very survival of many climate vulnerable countries.

Considering global high risks, the prime minister said, "Our national parliament declared a "Planetary Emergency" and called upon the world to work "on a war footing'' to stop climate change. We expect the same approach from the rest of the global leadership."

She said Bangladesh has been honoured to be chosen for the second time to lead the 48-member Climate Vulnerable Forum.

Sheikh Hasina further said, "Last month, on behalf of CVF, I have launched "Midnight Survival Deadline for the Climate" initiative to urge every leader of every nation to enhance their NDCs by the midnight of 31st December 2020."

The PM said Bangladesh this year is celebrating the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who recognized the threats posed by natural calamities for the people much earlier.

"I'm working tirelessly to overcome these and protect the rights of the people," she said.

"And in this important year, we have decided to launch a program to develop a national "Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan" to help mobilize resources for the implementation of a new pathway to secure our common future," she added.

The Race To Zero Dialogues will serve as critical input to the UNFCCC Climate Dialogues from 23 Nov– Dec 4, which are advancing work to governing the rules of the Paris Agreement.

Together, both Dialogues will set the stage for the Anniversary of the Paris Agreement on 12 December as the world embarks on the 'Race to Zero' towards COP26 in 2021.

Each 'Race to Zero' virtual dialogue is organized by a key partner, under an umbrella programme curate d by the High-Level Champions.