Dec 8, 2025
| Senior Correspondent
Civil society representatives, environmental groups, and energy experts have called for the immediate formulation of a realistic and future-ready national energy policy to address the country’s climate vulnerabilities and rising economic pressures.
The appeal came on the closing day of the ‘Third Bangladesh Energy Summit 2025’, held at the Military Museum in Dhaka, where speakers underscored that accelerating renewable energy deployment is the only viable pathway for national energy security.
One of the highlights of the summit was the public presentation of a 13-point citizens’ manifesto on renewable energy, placed before the nation in the presence of senior leaders from major political parties.
The manifesto was read out by Monowar Mostafa, executive member of the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED), on behalf of citizen groups.
Positioned at the threshold of the 2026 parliamentary election, the manifesto urges all political parties to make binding and clear commitments to implement the proposed reforms.
Leaders present included BNP Chairperson’s Advisor Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Rastrachakar Andolon President Hasnat Kaiyum, JSD General Secretary Nazrul Haque Prodhan, BASAD Joint General Secretary Razequzzaman Ratan, CPB (Dhaka South) General Secretary Manzur Moin, Gana Sanghati Andolon’s Executive Coordinator Abul Hasan Rubel, and the National Citizens’ Party’s Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar.
BWGED Member-Secretary Hasan Mehedi said Bangladesh spends USD 12–13 billion annually on electricity purchases, warning that the country must urgently rethink its dependence on expensive fossil-fuel-based generation.
Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal emphasised that a “just transition” has become an existential political question, stressing the need for national unity in confronting climate-driven crises. He highlighted his party’s commitments to transparency and accountability in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
Rastrachakar Andolon’s Hasnat Kaiyum called for decisive political reforms to end systemic corruption in the power sector, including the establishment of a special tribunal to hold those responsible for large-scale irregularities.
CPB’s Manzur Moin noted that reducing import dependence is key to long-term energy security, while Gana Sanghati’s Rubel stressed the need for more democratic and decentralised governance in energy planning.
The 13-point citizens’ manifesto calls for a new national energy policy, mandatory transparency of power and energy contracts, a phased reduction of fossil-fuel subsidies, a moratorium on new fossil-fuel power plants, a halt to new LNG terminals, and ambitious national targets to ensure 30 percent renewable energy by 2030, 40 percent by 2041, and 100 percent by 2050. It also demands large-scale investment in EV adoption, smart grid modernisation, solar home systems, green jobs, circular economy initiatives, e-waste recycling, protection of agricultural land, and citizen participation in energy governance.
Summit chair and CPD Research Director Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem concluded that political parties contesting the 2026 election must embrace a greener and more equitable energy transition, backed by transparent public procurement and quality investment in renewables.
News Link: 13-point citizens’ manifesto placed to ensure energy security