Bangladesh forums slam ‘slow’ pace of action

By Ramesh Mathew/Staff Reporter Seven Bangladesh civil society climate networks said at a joint meeting yesterday that they were frustrated at the slow pace of actions at the Doha climate change talks. Representatives of the networks criticised the developed countries, particularly the US, for their failure to listen to the “genuine climate related grievances” of the people from the least developed countries (LDC). While urging the global leaders to reach an agreement based  on scientific solutions and research, they told them to consider due compensation as repaying of climate debt. The representatives also feared that in the absence of any concrete deal in Doha it could possibly result in what they termed as a “climate genocide” in poor countries, including in Bangladesh. Slamming what he called as the “selfish attitude” of the developed world, Rezaul Karim Chowdhary, who moderated the panel discussions, said there should not be any ad hoc approach for financing the activities in developing countries between 2013 and 2020.   The groups also urged for a decision on drastic cut in emission levels following science-based forecast and with the principles of  equity and justice, common but differentiate responsibilities and capabilities not only applicable to the developed countries but should  also be made accountable to all others, in particular to the emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries. While speaking on the “ loss and damage” discourse in the negotiation process, Dr Ahsan Uddin Ahmed condemned the approach of the developed world, especially the US, which he said was refusing to accept the proposals of International Compensatory Mechanism (ICM). Representatives of BAPA, BIPNetCCBD, CCDF, CSRL, CFGN, EquityBD and NCCB were among others who aired their views on a host of climate-related issues that Bangladesh and other countries of South Asia are facing. Besides Chowdhary and Dr Ahmed, Golam Rabbani and Mohamed Abdul Maitin explained the sufferings of the LDCs owing to threats arising from climate change.