MEDIA RELEASE

World first as Bangladesh and UK Parliamentary Groups launch Climate Change Inquiry

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Climate Change & Environment of Bangladesh Parliament has teamed up with the All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group of the UK Parliament to launch a Joint Inquiry into Climate Change, specifically asking the question "Climate Change Equity: is it a plan, an aspiration or a fashion statement?"

The inquiry, first of its kind, has been launched by Chairs of the two Parliamentary Groups in Bangladesh and UK, Saber H. Chowdhury MP and Colin Challen MP, and seeks to gain a better insight on how two countries at opposite ends of the spectrum - one a LDC grappling with Adaptation and the other one of the richest in the developed world professing Mitigation – view challenge of Climate Change equity. Bangladesh, though least responsible for the problem, is a country most at threat from climate change; the UK is often regarded as one of – if the not the leader – in shaping climate change policy.

As well as seeking to present the Inquiry Report at the Copenhagen event, the Report will  be sent to the respective governments and it is anticipated that it will also be discussed in Bangladesh and UK Parliaments. Evidence is called for by 12th October 2009 and submissions (preferably in not more than 3000 words) in electronic form only (PDF and/or HTML format) are sought from all who are concerned to achieve, and are working towards, an equitable and fully inclusive deal on climate change in Copenhagen.

Saber H. Chowdhury MP said:

"Climate change for Bangladesh is a development challenge as well as a human rights and justice issue at the same time. Whilst Bangladesh learns through local endeavour on adapting to climate change, we have so far not seen the level and type of development assistance necessary if tens of millions of people are to survive in our country. An equitable deal in Copenhagen, as being trumpeted by many world leaders, will only be possible if we are able to have clarity and consensus on the concept of equity in climate change negotiations and this would then hopefully pave the way for resolving the burden sharing riddle. This inquiry will bring this question into sharp focus."

Colin Challen MP said:

"The need for this inquiry is overwhelming. There are too many generalities bandied about in climate change negotiations. We want the result of this inquiry to be presented in Copenhagen. Why is it, for example, that many countries with very low carbon dioxide footprints, like Bangladesh, are therefore prevented from benefiting from mechanisms like the Clean Development Mechanism? Bangladesh has only seen two of these projects implemented in the entire history of the CDM, which for a country of 100 million plus people is clearly inequitable. Countries like Bangladesh did not cause climate change, but they also seem to be penalised for it. This inquiry will look at this and related issues."

Contacts:

Bangladesh Convenor:

Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP
All Party Parliamentary Group Office
Room 431-432, Level 4, South West Block                             
Bangladesh Parliament,
Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka - 1207, Bangladesh

Cell: (+880) 171152 3403)
Fax: (+8802) 831 1967
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web:  www.saberchowdhury.com

United Kingdom Convenor:

Colin Challen MP
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA
United Kingdom
Tel: (+0044) (0)207 219 8260
Fax: (+0044) (0)207 219 1982
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it