Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has called for stricter enforcement of environmental laws and greater accountability in Bangladesh’s shipbreaking industry. Speaking at a workshop on the National Regulatory Framework for Ship Recycling and Hazardous Waste Management in Bangladesh, held on Sunday at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka, she warned that without urgent reforms, the country risks becoming a global dumping ground for hazardous waste. Highlighting the human and environmental costs of the industry, she stressed that shipbreaking must not continue at the expense of human lives. The adviser urged the authorities to strictly enforce High Court directives prohibiting shipbreaking on tidal beach areas, asserting that these rulings must be integrated into national regulations. "We cannot justify keeping this industry alive if it fails to meet global safety and environmental standards. I am willing to work with the Ministry of Industry to develop regulations that protect Bangladesh from becoming a toxic waste dump and safeguard our workers from unknown hazards. The directives of the High Court, upheld by the Supreme Court, cannot and must not be ignored," she added. She also drew attention to the dangerous working conditions in the shipbreaking industry, where workers are often exposed to life-threatening hazards without adequate protection. She compared shipbreaking to Bangladesh’s garment sector, pointing out a stark difference: "In the garment industry, foreign buyers ensure that labor standards are met. In contrast, shipbreaking owners evade their legal responsibility for cleaning up hazardous waste, sending ships to Bangladesh under false certifications." She emphasized that the issue is not merely about ships carrying waste but about the toxic materials embedded in their structures—materials that Bangladesh lacks the capacity to safely manage. The Adviser also questioned why Bangladesh, which sources most of its iron demand through billets, must continue relying on shipbreaking for a fraction of its iron supply despite the severe risks involved. She criticized weak regulations that allow hazardous waste to be dumped in Bangladesh, stating, "The effectiveness of legislation in global trade depends on how all stakeholders fulfill their roles. If exporters and shipowners do not adhere to international regulations, expecting a country with weak enforcement like Bangladesh to manage the consequences is unrealistic." Syeda Rizwana Hasan underscored the need for credible legal regulations on waste declarations, warning that workers dismantling these ships remain unaware of the toxic risks they face. Shipbreaking yards should set signboards warning workers of cancer risks in multiple languages. Emphasizing the "polluter pays" principle, she argued that waste generators must be held responsible for their disposal. However, she noted that instead of enforcing accountability, the industry is being "greenwashed" and legitimized under weak regulations. Most vessels arriving in Bangladesh originate from small island states, though they were originally owned by European companies. Before being sent here, these companies change the ships' registration in a practice known as "flag of convenience", allowing them to evade legal responsibility. "Would any European country allow shipbreaking on their own beaches? Why should the standards be different when workers' lives are at stake?" she asked. The Adviser also criticised the Ministry of Industry for permitting shipbreaking despite ongoing environmental violations. She revealed that certain yards continue to operate without valid environmental clearance and noted that a serious worker injury was reported as recently as February 3rd. "Whose interests are we protecting when drafting regulations?" she questioned. "There are international laws holding polluters accountable, but in Bangladesh, shipowners and breakers control the narrative, often using regulatory loopholes to disguise hazardous practices."

A strong youth gathering and procession demanding immediate energy policy reforms took place at the Chittagong University campus as activists and community members rallied for Bangladesh’s transition to renewable energy.  Led by ISDE Bangladesh, CAB Youth CU unit, CLEAN, and BWGED, the demonstration underscored the pressing need to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and ensure a smooth shift to sustainable energy sources, said a CAB press release.  Participants of the youth gathering and road procession at different departments of the university raised festoons, play cards, banners, and chanted slogans to highlight barriers such as outdated infrastructure, inconsistent policies, and insufficient investment in renewable energy.  The campaign demands the establishment of a streamlined approval process, fair tariff structures, and increased financial support for clean energy initiatives.  Protesters argued that without these reforms, Bangladesh risks falling behind in its renewable energy commitments.  Nearly everyone in the world breathes polluted air CAB Central Vice President & Executive Director of ISDE Bangladesh said that the power crisis has reached its peak even before the upcoming summer season begins.  Therefore, it will be difficult to solve the energy crisis if investment in renewable energy is not increased quickly.  "We must create a more conducive environment for investment in renewable energy," he said. "Only through effective policy change can we ensure the transition to affordable and accessible green energy."  Dr. Khaled Mizbahuzzaman of the Institute of Forestry and Environment, Chandan Kumar of the Department of Statistics, Joint Secretary of Chattogram Jila Samajik Uddokta Forum Md Janae Alam, President of CAB Youth Group Chittagong University Unit Rabbi Touhid, Secretary Khairul Islam, and ISDE Bangladesh Programme Officer Abu Hasan Azmi spoke on the occasion.  Local leaders, students, and environmental activists who championed the cause of a greener Bangladesh also attended the rally. 

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked the third on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 198 at 8:45am this morning (February 16, 2025). Today’s air was classified as 'unhealthy’, referring to a health risk to residents, according to the AQI index. When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. India’s Delhi, Pakistan’s Lahore and Nepal’s Kathmandu cities respectively occupied the first, second, and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 338, 251 and 188 respectively. Nearly everyone in the world breathes polluted air The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

The Environmental Protection Agency's new chief, Lee Zeldin, announced plans to revoke $20 billion in clean-energy grants awarded under the Biden administration, citing concerns over potential misuse and lack of accountability.  In a video posted on X, Zeldin said the agency would terminate contracts related to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, commonly referred to as the "green bank." The program, established through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, aimed to support climate and clean-energy projects, particularly in disadvantaged communities. The funding was divided into two key initiatives: $14 billion and $6 billion, respectively, to be distributed to nonprofits, community development banks, and other organizations, AP reports.  Nearly everyone in the world breathes polluted air Zeldin criticised the initiative, calling it a reckless allocation of taxpayer money to "far-left activist groups." He referenced a video from Project Veritas, a conservative group known for undercover recordings, where a former EPA adviser suggested the Biden administration was hastily spending funds before Donald Trump potentially took office.  “There will be zero tolerance for waste and abuse,” Zeldin said. “The days of shoveling boatloads of cash in the name of environmental justice and climate equity are over.”  The green bank has been championed by Democrats, who passed the Inflation Reduction Act without Republican support. Former EPA Administrator Michael Regan had highlighted it as one of the agency's key achievements. However, Republicans have long criticized the fund, labelling it a “slush fund” with insufficient oversight.  Clean energy advocates condemned Zeldin’s decision, vowing legal action. Lena Moffitt, executive director of Evergreen Action, called the move “a blatant violation of the Constitution” and accused the administration of undermining programs designed to benefit American families.  The funds had already been allocated to eight nonprofit organizations, including the Coalition for Green Capital and Climate United Fund, which partnered with groups like Habitat for Humanity and Rewiring America.

Everyone loves a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, too often our air is anything but fresh. While air quality varies dramatically from place to place and day to day, nearly the entire world — about 99% of the global population — is exposed to air at some point that doesn't meet the strict standards set by the World Health Organization. Polluted air, laden with noxious gasses or tiny, invisible particles that burrow into human bodies, kills 7 million people prematurely every year, the U.N. health agency estimates. And for the millions living in some of the world’s smoggiest cities — many of them in Asia like New Delhi; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Bangkok; and Jakarta, Indonesia — bad air might seem inescapable. But there are things that people can do, starting with understanding that the air isn’t only polluted when it looks smoggy, said Tanushree Ganguly of the Energy Policy Institute of Chicago in India. “Blue skies can’t guarantee you clean air,” she said. What are the most dangerous kinds of air pollutants and their sources? Air pollutants often come from people burning things: Fuels such as coal, natural gas, diesel and gasoline for electricity and transportation; crops or trees for agricultural purposes; or as a result of wildfires. Fine, inhalable particles, known as particulate matter, are among the most dangerous. The tiniest of these — known as PM 2.5 because they are less than 2.5 microns in diameter — can get deep into human lungs and are mostly created by burning fuels. Coarser particles, known as PM 10, are linked to agriculture, roadways, mining or the wind blowing eroded dust, according to the WHO. Other dangerous pollutants include gases like nitrogen dioxide or sulfur dioxide, which are also produced from burning fuels, said Anumita Roychowdhury, an air pollution expert at the Center for Science and Environment in New Delhi. The sources and intensity of air pollution varies in different cities and seasons. For instance, old motorbikes and industrial boilers are major contributors to bad air in Indonesian capital Jakarta while burning of agricultural waste is a major reason for air pollution spikes in cities in Thailand and India. Brick kilns that burn coal adds to pollution in Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital. And seasonal forest fires cause problems in Brazil and North America. What health problems can air pollution cause? Air pollution is the second-largest risk factor for early death globally, behind high blood pressure, according to a recent report by the Health Effects Institute.

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked the 16th on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 148 at 8:55am this morning (February 13, 2025). Today’s air was classified as 'unhealthy for sensitive groups’, referring to a health risk to residents, according to the AQI index. However, Wednesday’s air quality was marked as unhealthy with an AQI score of 171.   When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. Pakistan’s Lahore, Myanmar’s Yangon and Vietnam’s Hanoi cities respectively occupied the first, second, and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 221, 216 and 195 respectively. Dhaka’s air world's 6th worst this morning The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.  

The government has launched a cleanup drive to protect the environment and biodiversity of  ecologically vulnerable St. Martin’s Island. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change started the two-day drive  on Wednesday in coordination with the local administration that involves 200 local volunteers. Over the past two months, the Sustainability Alliance also conducted cleanup activities on the island. Under the local administration’s initiative, a significant amount of waste, including single-use plastics, has been collected and removed in the last two months, according to the ministry. 26 rooms of 3 Eco resorts gutted in Saint Martin's fire Besides, 241 kg of plastic and 87 kg of polythene were collected from the ship docks to prevent marine pollution. Through the plastic exchange stores, 14.3 metric tons of plastic waste were removed from St. Martin’s, while 67.3 metric tons were cleared from Cox’s Bazar. In December and January, a daily cap of 2,000 tourists was imposed, with an average of 1,694 visitors arriving on the island each day during this period. Several ships were warned for carrying excess passengers, and two were fined. To raise awareness among tourists and locals, informational signboards and graffiti were placed across the island. Besides, under the Beach Management Committee (BMC), 10 cleaners and six lifeguards are working round the clock to maintain beach cleanliness and safety.

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked sixth on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 171 at 8am this morning (February 12, 2025). Today’s air was classified as 'unhealthy', referring to the fact that air pollution levels are high enough to cause adverse health effects for some people. When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. Vietnam’s Hanoi, Bosnia Herzegovina’s Sarajevo, India’s Mumbai and Delhi and Pakistan’s Lahore cities respectively occupied the first, second, third, fourth and fifth spots on the list. Dhaka’s air quality world's worst this morning The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

The urgency of climate change demands innovative solutions, and green building practices are emerging as a powerful force in mitigating carbon emissions. However, the potential of green buildings extends beyond simply reducing a building's carbon footprint. By implementing sustainable design and construction techniques, carbon trading opportunities can be unlocked, creating a financial incentive for environmentally responsible development.  This article focuses on the prospects of green building in Bangladesh that generates carbon credits, explores the different carbon trading mechanisms available, and ultimately showcases the exciting possibilities of leveraging sustainable building for a cleaner, more profitable future. What Is a Green Building? A green building is a structure that is designed, constructed, and operated in an environmentally responsible and resource-efficient manner. It focuses on sustainability by reducing the negative impact on the environment while enhancing the well-being of its occupants. Read more: Top 3 Books in English on the Bangladesh Sundarbans Key Features of Green Buildings Energy Efficiency: Uses renewable energy sources (like solar or wind), energy-efficient lighting, and smart building technologies. Water Conservation: Incorporates water-efficient fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and wastewater recycling. Sustainable Materials: Uses eco-friendly, recycled, or locally sourced materials to minimize environmental impact. Indoor Environmental Quality: Ensures proper ventilation, natural lighting, and non-toxic building materials for better air quality. Waste Reduction: Promotes recycling, composting, and sustainable construction waste management. Site Sustainability: Minimizes land disturbance, promotes green roofs, and supports biodiversity. Low Carbon Footprint: Reduces greenhouse gas emissions through efficient design and operation. Read more: What is Carbon Trading? How does it work? International Certifications for Green Buildings LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): A widely recognized certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method): A UK-based certification.WELL Certification: Focuses on human health and well-being.Green Star: Used in Australia.EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies): Popular in developing countries. Green buildings help combat climate change, reduce utility costs, and create healthier spaces for people to live and work.  What Is Carbon Credit? A carbon credit is a permit or certificate that represents the right to emit one metric tonne of carbon dioxide (CO₂) or an equivalent amount of another greenhouse gas (GHG). These credits are used as part of efforts to reduce global emissions and combat climate change. Companies or entities that emit less CO₂ than their allocated limit can sell their unused credits to others that exceed their limits. Read more: Top Strategies to Enhance Fire Resilience in Dhaka City What Is Carbon Trading? Carbon trading, also known as emissions trading, is the process of buying and selling carbon credits to control greenhouse gas emissions. It is part of a cap-and-trade system, where governments or regulatory bodies set a limit (cap) on total emissions and issue credits accordingly. How Green Buildings Create Potential for Carbon Trading Green buildings contribute to carbon trading by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making them eligible to generate and trade carbon credits. Here’s how: Energy Efficiency & Lower Emissions Green buildings use energy-efficient HVAC systems, LED lighting, and smart building technology, reducing carbon emissions from electricity consumption. By cutting fossil fuel-based energy use, buildings emit less CO₂, allowing them to earn carbon credits under emission reduction programs. Renewable Energy Integration Many green buildings install solar panels, wind turbines, or geothermal energy systems, reducing reliance on grid electricity generated from fossil fuels. Excess renewable energy can be fed into the grid, generating renewable energy credits (RECs) that can be sold in carbon markets. Read more: Organizational strategies to minimize earthquake damages in Dhaka City Sustainable Materials & Low Carbon Construction Using low-carbon concrete, recycled steel, and timber reduces the embodied carbon in construction. Buildings that incorporate carbon capture materials (like CO₂-absorbing cement) can qualify for carbon offset programs. Water & Waste Management Rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and water-efficient fixtures reduce the energy required for water treatment and supply. Waste reduction through composting and recycling lowers methane emissions from landfills, allowing buildings to claim waste management carbon credits. Green Certifications & Carbon Credit Eligibility Certified green buildings (e.g., LEED, BREEAM, EDGE) may qualify for carbon offset projects, making them eligible for trading in voluntary carbon markets. Large property developers can sell carbon credits for portfolio-wide emissions reductions, making green buildings a financial asset in carbon trading. Smart Building Technology & Carbon Monitoring AI and IoT-based energy monitoring systems help track and reduce carbon emissions. Verified reductions can be certified as carbon credits and sold in compliance or voluntary carbon markets. Read more: Flood Control and How to Minimise Losses How Green Buildings in Bangladesh Can Contribute to Carbon Trading Bangladesh has been making significant strides in sustainable architecture and green building development due to growing environmental concerns, energy efficiency needs, and compliance with international sustainability standards. The country is one of the global leaders in green industrial buildings, particularly in the textile and garment sector. With the right implementation of carbon reduction initiatives in Bangladesh, the nation might earn billions of US dollars annually from global carbon trading. In 2022, the global carbon trading market was valued at $4.5 trillion, and it may grow to $8.98 trillion. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggested an average price of $75 per unit, with each carbon credit equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide. Carbon markets have only brought in a few hundred million US dollars for Bangladesh thus far. Bangladesh could make much more, though, because the nation is among the lowest carbon polluters in the world, contributing only 0.5% of global emissions. Growth of Green Buildings in Bangladesh In Bangladesh, over 200+ factories in the ready-made garments (RMG) sector are certified by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The trend of green commercial, residential, and industrial buildings is increasing in Dhaka, Chattogram, Gazipur, and Narayanganj. Read more: Can a Sponge City Tackle Flooding in Dhaka? Green Building Certifications & Policies in Bangladesh LEED Certification (USGBC): The most recognized certification in Bangladesh.Bangladesh Green Building Guidelines: Developed by the Bangladesh Green Building Council (BGBC).EDGE Certification: Promoted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).Sustainable & Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA): Encourages energy-efficient buildings. Benefits of Green Buildings in Bangladesh Lower Energy Costs: Reduces electricity bills through solar energy and energy-efficient appliances.Water Conservation: Rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling.Healthier Indoor Air Quality: Improves well-being by reducing pollution.Carbon Credit Trading: Potential to earn revenue by reducing CO₂ emissions.Global Market Competitiveness: Many eco-friendly garment factories attract international buyers. Read more: How to Build Dhaka as a Water Wise City How Bangladesh Can Sell Carbon Credits First, identification of green industry projects. Then, get certified by Carbon Standards. The green industry projects must be verified and registered under recognized carbon credit standards such as the Gold Standard (GS), Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of UNFCCC, etc. After that, emission reductions will be verified. Certified auditors measure CO₂ reduction to validate the credits. Finally, engaging in the global carbon trading markets. There are two types of carbon trading markets: Compliance Carbon Market: Sell credits to companies in regulated markets like the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM): Sell credits to international companies looking to offset emissions voluntarily. Read more: Green Roofs in Dhaka City: Pathway to Smart Urban Agriculture Challenges for Bangladesh in Carbon Trading and Probable Solutions A lack of awareness and expertise in carbon trading has limited the scope of Bangladesh's earnings from selling carbon credits in the international markets. High initial costs for certification are another bar. Furthermore, the country have a limited policy and regulatory framework that can support the carbon trading process. Verification and monitoring issues are also required to enhance the potential of Bangladesh in this sector. To overcome these limitations, essential training and capacity-building programs on carbon trading can be helpful. Government incentives and subsidies can encourage commercial projects, industrial establishments, and residential owners to opt for green buildings.  Therefore, a national carbon trading policy should be developed and a national carbon credit registry should be introduced to streamline the process in Bangladesh. Public-private partnerships (PPP) can drive large-scale green building projects in different districts. Moreover, foreign investments in green building and associated carbon offset projects should be encouraged to enhance the country’s carbon trading scope. Expanding the carbon market to SMEs and rural green industries can boost economic benefits. Besides these, by partnering with international carbon credit certifiers, Bangladesh can go a long way in carbon trading. Read more: What Can Dhaka Learn from the Smart City Singapore Final Thoughts Green buildings reduce carbon emissions and create financial opportunities through carbon trading, encouraging real estate developers, corporations, and governments to invest in sustainable construction. Bangladesh has been leading the way in green industrial buildings, especially in the garment sector, and is gradually expanding to commercial and residential areas. The country have huge potential to earn from carbon trading by promoting green industries and green building projects. With the right policies, international partnerships, and investments, Bangladesh can turn carbon reduction into a financial asset while combating climate change. Read more: Plastic Pollution: Harmful effects on human health and environment

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has called on the business community and international partners to work alongside Bangladeshi stakeholders in shifting from fossil fuel-based energy production to renewable and sustainable sources. She made the call while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the Sustainable Apparel Forum (SAF) 2025, organiseed by the Netherlands Embassy at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden on Tuedsay.  “Sustainability is not just about having green or environmentally certified factories. The garment industry remains energy-intensive, and its reliance on water and chemical management demands a more responsible approach,” she said. She said that despite Bangladesh's overall water abundance, declining groundwater levels in industrial zones are affecting local communities. Call to increase investment in renewable energy in Global South To address this, the government is considering imposing charges on industrial water usage and categorising industries based on their consumption levels, with incentives for recycling initiatives. Regarding chemical waste management, Rizwana said the government, in collaboration with German partners, is finalising a Chemical Waste Management Rule to establish nationally endorsed chemical handling and management regulations, ensuring environmental and workplace safety. On labor practices, she urged a shift in perspective on Bangladesh’s garment industry. “We must eliminate the term ‘cheap labour’ when discussing sustainability. Ethical sourcing and fair business practices should be a shared responsibility between producers and consumers, she said. Encouraging deeper engagement with innovative organizations and technology providers, Rizwana highlighted the apparel sector’s role as Bangladesh’s economic backbone and called for stronger partnerships to set new sustainability standards. Bangladesh, other SA nations need $625 bln to triple renewable energy capacity European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, Netherlands Ambassador Andre Carstens, and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud bin Harun were present.