The economic impacts of the 4IR on Bangladesh
Bangladesh is gearing up for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Hardly a day goes by when a national political leader or a prominent civil society stalwart does not bring up the issues relating to 4IR in the national media. One could even say that 4IR is the new buzzword for the country. There are many challenges and opportunities for us as we embrace this major global movement which, if handled adroitly, could lead to major transformation, growth and improvement. So, the million-dollar question is: What are the major policy actions that the government can initiate to prepare the country for 4IR? What is 4IR? First a caveat. While 4IR has the potential to "raise global income levels and improve the quality of life for populations around the world" according to Klaus Schwab, it also is not the be-all and end-all for the future of the globe. I say that because while the previous industrial revolutions in the last 200 years have left their indelible marks on society, the failure of the political, economic and social leaders to anticipate and steer clear of the negative side-effects—or landmines—have resulted in the current global crises, including climate change, income inequality, and the conflict-ridden landscape that we now witness. The First Industrial Revolution used water and steam power to mechanise production, mostly in England. The Second harnessed the advent of electricity to create mass production, and an example could be Henry Ford's Model-T assembly line. The Third, which lasted from the end of the Second World War to the emergence of the Internet, used electronics and information technology to automate production. The Fourth, which is really at its infancy now, began with the use of artificial intelligence (AI), digitalisation, biotechnology, and global connectivity, and has touched the entire systems of production, management, and governance. Billions of people are now connected with mobile devices, and collaborate—using digital tools and AI—and live in a metaverse. 4IR promises to shape the future by linking the physical, digital, and biological worlds more tightly.
India targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, says Modi
India’s economy will become carbon neutral by the year 2070, the country’s prime minster has announced at the COP26 climate crisis summit in Glasgow. The target date is two decades beyond what scientists say is needed to avert catastrophic climate impacts. India is the last of the world’s major carbon polluters to announce a net-zero target, with China saying it would reach that goal in 2060, and the United States and the European Union aiming for 2050.
COP26: What climate summit means for one woman in Bangladesh
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Why China's climate policy matters to us all
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Deliver on promises, developing world tells rich at climate talks
A crucial U.N. conference heard calls on its first day for the world's major economies to keep their promises of financial help to address the climate crisis, while big polluters India and Brazil made new commitments to cut emissions. World leaders, environmental experts and activists all pleaded for decisive action to halt the global warming which threatens the future of the planet at the start of the two-week COP26 summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Monday. The task facing negotiators was made even more daunting by the failure of the Group of 20 major industrial nations to agree ambitious new commitments at the weekend.