Nov 19, 2025
| Staff Correspondent
CSOs urge parties, unveil 12-point manifesto for just, green energy transition
As the country moves toward the pivotal 2026 national elections, a coalition of prominent civil society organisations yesterday urged political parties to adopt bold, future-focused commitments to dismantle fossil fuel dependence, enhance national energy sovereignty and safeguard vulnerable communities through a just, equitable and climate-resilient energy transition.
The coalition released a 12-point Citizens' Manifesto at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity, calling on parties to commit to a transparent and renewable energy-based power sector.
"Despite attaining almost 100 percent electricity coverage, decades of imprudent fossil fuel dependence, opaque contractual regimes and impractical master plans have precipitated severe financial haemorrhaging, intensified environmental degradation and heightened public health risks," said Monower Mostafa, adviser at Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network, while presenting the keynote paper. He said national carbon emissions have doubled from 146.8 million tonnes in 2008 to 281.4 million tonnes now, while the country's air quality has deteriorated to among the world's most hazardous and placed Bangladesh at the bottom of major environmental performance indicators.
Hasan Mehedi, member secretary of the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development, said private power producers extracted Tk 1,72,000 crore in capacity charges over the past 16 years, while Bangladesh Power Development Board recorded cumulative losses of Tk 2,53,000 crore. "The government had to inject Tk 2,36,000 crore in subsidies from public funds, which were disproportionately siphoned off into the coffers of fossil fuel–linked vested interests," he said.
The 12-point manifesto includes formulating a new national energy policy ensuring climate resilience, economic stability and long-term energy security; unveiling all Power Purchase Agreements and Implementation Agreements under the Right to Information Act; phasing out fossil fuel subsidies; ending LNG dependence and gas waste; and preparing a clear roadmap for renewable energy establishments. The groups demanded a just energy transition that safeguards the rights of women, indigenous peoples, farmers, fishers, workers and marginalised communities, along with protection of agricultural land.
BWGED organised the event along with Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies, Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), Ethical Trading Initiative Bangladesh, Lawyers for Energy, Environment and Development, Manusher Jonno Foundation, ReGlobal and allied partners.