Bangladesh could slash greenhouse gas emissions by around 22 percent by 2020 by introducing a variety of clean technologies that would cost less than $10 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent, according to a study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The total greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to increase by 5.8 percent annually to reach 168.3 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030 from 41.3 million tons in 2005 with the power sector contributing about 50 percent, according to The Economics of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in South Asia.
“In Bangladesh, the sea level is predicted to rise 45 centimeters by 2050, affecting 10-15 percent of the land area and an estimated 35 million people,” said Mahfuz Ahmed, Principal Climate Change Specialist with ADB’s South Asia Department.
“It’s possible to slash greenhouse gas emissions through big and small changes that would have little or no long-term cost to the end users. Technology, policy and financing will be critical for developing clean energy options,” he added.
The release said Bangladesh could avoid approximately 10.5 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2020, a reduction of nearly 11 percent from 97.2 million tons at no additional cost by deploying “no-regret” cleaner and energy efficient options, according to an ADB release.
The replacement of all conventional lamps in the residential sector with efficient compact fluorescent lamps alone could reduce about 4.7 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2020.
The direct and indirect fuel subsidies should be phased out or made more targeted, the study says. Meanwhile, ministries and countries should work more closely together to better plan and develop cross-border energy markets and promote green development.
Developing the huge untapped clean energy resources in South Asia for intraregional trade will help meet the region’s energy demand and provide multiple benefits to the countries, the study says.
Conducted in five South Asian countries, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, the study projects that total energy-related greenhouse gas emissions would be 3.2 times higher in 2030 than in 2005 if the countries make no effort to curb emissions.
Source: UNBConnect
