The South Asian: Climate Fund: Unjust Contributions

November 10, 2008

Climate Fund: Unjust Contributions

Numerous NGOs and people's groups in Bangladesh that the Multi Donor Trust Fund for climate change was not just with affected countries (such as Bangladesh) contributing more than polluting countries (such as UK)

Today, Equity and Justice Working Group and 25 other NGOs/CSOs organization launched country wide campaign against the involvement of World Bank in the management of Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF). This NGO alliance declared its campaign activities through organizing a press conference at the Reporter’s Unity, Dhaka. The campaigh programme includes i) seminar in all 64 districts ii) post card sending to the Chief Adviser to the Government of Bangladesh and also to Mr Doglus Alexander, MP and the Secretary of State for International Development, United Kingdom, iii) signature campaign and statement sending to the Bangladesh and UK governments. Md Shamsuddoha of EquityBd, presented the campaign plan while Mustafa Kmal Akand moderated the conference.

In a broad call for climate justice, this NGO alliance agued to put forward ‘polluter pay and polluter pay principle’ in relation to climate change financing. They also pointed out that that Bangladesh should not contribute in the MDTF as Bangladesh is not responsible for climate crisis. This is to mention that Bangladesh is also contributing to the MDTF; as per initial proposal Bangladesh will contribute around 23 million pounds in 2008-2009, while UK will contribute 75 million pounds for a five year period (60 million pounds to the trust fund, 12 million pounds for other DFID programme, and 3 million pounds for research). The speakers argued that the contribution of UK in Climate Change adaptation in Bangladesh is too low while, being an affected country, contribution of Bangladesh is more that double than the UK.

The speakers in this press conference inquired the government to explain the sources of its contribution to the MDTF, either from revenue income or from external/ internal loans sources. It has been clearly stated in many policy documents and also discussed in many multi-lateral dialogue that climate financing mechanism should be developed and provided by the developed countries in addition to their existing ODA (Overseas Development Assistance) commitment of 0.7% of their GNI, as compensation for their historical responsibility of the developed counties in being the main drivers of current global climate change. Hence contribution of Bangladesh’s government to the MDTF is not coherent as this would make the country more indebted or force the country directing money from the public service sectors.

Protesting the involvement of WB in climate fund management the speakers argued that the WB and other IFIs are more interested in getting their money back than in protecting Bangladesh's interests. Bangladesh had to pay US$1.5 billion for external debt servicing, which accounts for around 18% of total government revenue expenditure, 2.4% of Bangladesh's GDP, which are the results of implementing WB and IMF policies in Bangladesh. Therefore the involvement of WB in MTDF will allow the bank to force its conditionality related to whole sale privatization and liberalization.

The Government of Bangladesh is capable to manage the fund alone in taking the principles of democratic ownership, the speaker argued.

Among others Mr. Fakhrul Ferdous of Development Center International (DCI), Md. Hamidur Rahman of Climate Change Network-Bangladesh, Syed Monir Hossian of UDDIPAN, S.M Shafiqul Islam Village Development Center (VDC).

Media Coverage

Climate change strategy, action plan suggested

http://nation. ittefaq.com/ issues/2008/ 11/09/news0514. htm

Review of climate strategy and action plan suggested

http://www.thebangl adeshtoday. com/archive/ November% 2008/9-11- 2008.htm# back%20page

NGOs launch campaign against WB involvement in climate change fund

http://www.newagebd .com/2008/ nov/09/nat. html

Protom Alo

http://www.prothom- alo.com/mcat. news.details. php?nid=MTI2MjYx&mid=MTM=

Amar Desh

http://www.amardesh bd.com/dailynews /sub_section. php?issueID= 967&sub_section_ id=7&NewsID=199209&NewsType=bistarito

Thanks and regards

Md. Shamsuddoha

General Secretary | Equity and Justice Working Group, Bangladesh

Posted by collective at November 10, 2008 09:52 PM

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