EU to support Bangladesh for sustainable LDC graduation
The European Union will keep supporting Bangladesh to help the South Asian country make sustainable graduation from the grouping of least-developed countries. Charles Whiteley, the EU's ambassador to Bangladesh, gave this assurance in a meeting with Md Saiful Islam, president of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), at the latter's office in Dhaka's Gulshan yesterday, according to a press release. Whiteley said there are untapped areas of cooperation where many EU member countries might be able to collaborate with Bangladesh to render technical support on various aspects, such as renewable energy and skills development. Addressing the meeting, Islam highlighted the challenges of LDC graduation and Bangladesh's joining the club of middle-income countries by 2026. Islam also expressed concerns about the tariff escalation after the country's LDC graduation and urged the EU to extend transitional support and the Everything but Arms (EBA) initiative for a reasonable period to attain sustainable graduation. Responding to Islam's call, Whiteley assured that the EU would look into the concerns very pragmatically. Praising Bangladesh's economic transformation and its high-quality exportable products, the ambassador expressed his willingness to promote EU investment in Bangladesh and provide feedback and assistance in improving the country's business climate. During the meeting, Islam categorically mentioned the benefits received by Bangladesh through the EU's EBA initiative, which has significantly helped the country make visible progress in social development through poverty reduction and women empowerment. Highlighting Bangladesh's commitment to the EU's roadmap concerning labour standards and workers' rights, Islam assured that the laws regarding labour at export processing zones are continuously being amended as Bangladesh is steadfast in taking correct steps on all relevant issues.
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.