Right groups demand climate compensation from rich countries

Staff Correspondent: Rights based civil society organizations in Bangladesh urged the Prime Minister to lead country on the Paris Climate Conference.

 

They also urged her to demand the climate compensation from the countries mainly responsible for the climate change.

 

This compensation must go to the countries suffering most due to climate change even though they are not responsible for this.  As about 150 leaders from various countries including President of Russia and USA, Prime Minister of China and India will join the event, it is an opportunity for our Prime Minister to raise the issues of Bangladesh as well as the most vulnerable countries, the organizers of the human chain opined from a human chain organized in front of the national press club on Sunday.

 

27 organizations organized the human chain titled ‘Rich Countries, You don’t have any right to put future of Bangladesh in Bracket`. The human chain was moderated by Mustafa Kamal Akanda of equityBD. Aminur Rasul Babul of Unnyan Dhara, Subal Sarkar of Bangladesh Bhumihin Somity and Engineer Foyez Hosain of Bangaldesh Sromik Federation, Zayed Iqbal Khan of Bangladesh Krishak Federation, Abul Hossain and Arif Chowdhury of Jatiyo Hawkers Federation Hawkers Federation,  spoke at the occasion.

 

In the written statement on behalf of the organizers it is said that, Countries like Bangladesh are suffering due to the climate change without being responsible for this. It has been found that, each ton of Carbon emission causes a damage of $ 40.  Only US has incurred a damage of debt of $4 trillion during the period 1990-2013 and every citizen of US and Australia owes $12,000 in carbon debt.  Rich countries have to take these responsibilities and they have to pay the compensation to the effected countries.

 

Subal Sarkar said, the expected Paris Protocol on Climate Change must not be mitigation based only; it should include adaptation issues also. The strategies and types of support of the rich countries to the poor countries must be placed clearly in the protocol.

 

Aminur Rasul babul said, we have unacceptable experiences of Kyoto Protocol, which was a signed to reduce the carbon emission but signatory countries have been failed to realize their commitment. We don’t want another such protocol or treaty. We demand a legally binding agreement, which will mandatory for all.  There should be provision to punish countries which will breach the treaty.

 

Organizers placed some specific demand also, such as: Paris treaty should clearly mention the scientific target of carbon cut, there should be the pick level of carbon emission, the GCF should get 100 billion dollar annually up to 2020, 50% of the fund should be used for adaptation,  No loan for loss and damages,  No intellectual property rights in technology transfer.

 

 

risingbd/DHAKA/Nov 29, 2015/Shafiq/Augustin Sujan