Govt Launches Real-Time Air Quality Index

The World Bank has pledged $300 million to support a clean air project in Bangladesh, focused on improving air quality management and reducing carbon emissions in critical sectors. Environment Advisor to the interim government, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, announced the funding after a meeting with Martin Raiser, the World Bank's Vice President for South Asia, and Abdoulaye Seck, the Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan

On Thursday, Bangladesh deposited its instrument of ratification for the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea regarding the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) during a UNGA high-level treaty event. Adopted on June 19, 2023, the BBNJ Agreement aims to enhance the international legal framework for marine biodiversity conservation in areas beyond national jurisdiction, promoting transparent environmental impact assessments and supporting capacity-building for developing countries.

The interim government is planning to create a 'blue network' using Dhaka's canals to improve the city's livability, according to environment adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. Speaking at a workshop organized by the Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS), she recommended that the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) reclaim illegally occupied canals and highlighted the importance of planting grass in open spaces to enhance the urban ecosystem.

The government has announced a ban on permits for new brick kilns as part of efforts to combat air pollution. A total of 3,491 brick kilns operating without environmental clearance will be shut down, and all illegally constructed kilns in the Chattogram Hill Tracts will be relocated. 

Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Farooq-e-Azam announced that the recent floods in eastern Bangladesh have caused damages exceeding Tk14,269 crore. At a Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief event, he reported that approximately 942,811 people were affected, with 74 fatalities and 68 injuries.

Bangladesh is lagging in climate education and action, according to a recent World Bank report titled "Choosing Our Future: Education for Climate Action." The report reveals that only 3% of Bangladeshi grade-8 students correctly answered a set of six basic climate change questions, and just 32% of secondary students answered at least one question correctly. Despite 93% of secondary students acknowledging climate change and 40% feeling personally affected, many are not confident in their ability to take action.