Harjeet Singh, a global climate and social justice advocate, currently serves as Global Engagement Director at the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative. With prior leadership roles at Climate Action Network International and ActionAid, he brings deep expertise to the global climate movement. In an exclusive interview with Dhaka Tribune’s Muhammad Ibrahim Mojid, Singh discusses Bangladesh’s transition beyond fossil fuels, the urgency of climate justice, and youth engagement in shaping global policy.
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He also shared strategies for restoring investor confidence, fostering regional cooperation, and holding the global North accountable to its climate commitments.
Despite slow renewable growth, Bangladesh continues investing in coal and LNG. What policy shifts or global mechanisms could accelerate its transition to clean energy?
Fossil fuels are driving the climate crisis, and Bangladesh — among the most vulnerable nations — cannot afford continued reliance on coal, oil, and gas.
Despite strong potential in solar, wind, and hydropower, limited climate finance and policy inertia have stalled progress, eroding investor confidence.
The government must signal a clear commitment to phasing out fossil fuels and scaling up renewables. This includes ending fossil fuel subsidies, lowering import duties, offering tax incentives, and prioritizing decentralized, community-based energy systems over large solar parks that disrupt agriculture.
Developing a skilled renewable workforce and an integrated policy framework is essential to restore trust and accelerate the transition. While Bangladesh leads in climate adaptation and loss and damage, its energy mix — over 80% fossil fuels and just 4–5% renewables — sends the wrong message.
With renewable costs now lower than fossil fuels, the real barrier is upfront investment — driven by clear government direction. International cooperation, including joining initiatives like the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, can unlock finance and align Bangladesh with the global clean energy shift.
South Asia faces shared climate risks. How can Bangladesh collaborate with neighbors like India, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives to advance regional climate action while ensuring equity?
Regional equity is crucial for climate resilience. South Asian nations share ecosystems and energy potential, making collaboration essential.
Bangladesh can partner with India on technical exchanges, drawing lessons from its successful solar and EV subsidy models. Nepal’s surplus hydropower offers a clean energy lifeline for both Bangladesh and India, while coordinated infrastructure investments could expand cross-border access.
Other regional examples — Nepal’s EV tariff cuts and Pakistan’s rooftop solar scale-up — provide valuable insights.
By adapting these models, Bangladesh can craft targeted policies, incentives, and partnerships to accelerate its renewable energy transition and strengthen regional climate solidarity.
How can Bangladesh’s youth and climate NGOs link with global movements to amplify local voices in international policy debates?
During my visit, I was deeply inspired by Bangladesh’s youth. Their questions reflected sharp insight into energy security, global politics, and the country’s energy transition—far beyond surface-level climate concerns.
To amplify their impact, the youth should lead awareness campaigns, engage in decentralized renewable projects, and pursue climate-focused entrepreneurship. They must also push policymakers and candidates for concrete action on energy and resilience.
Globally, their voices are vital. By spotlighting Bangladesh’s leadership in adaptation and loss and damage, and advocating for stronger energy transition goals, youth can help shape international climate policy. As the generation most affected by climate change, their perspective is indispensable.
Bangladeshi farmers face salinity, floods, and erratic weather. How can climate justice help tackle these threats?
Climate action is inseparable from climate justice. Bangladesh is making strides on its own, but without sufficient global support — especially in finance and technology — it cannot scale local solutions.
Over two decades, I’ve seen communities innovate with salt-tolerant rice, floating gardens, and multi-cropping. These efforts are promising but need funding to expand. While Bangladesh has created its own adaptation fund, global finance still falls short — meeting just 10% of the $300 billion annual need.
To build true resilience for farmers facing salinity, floods, and erratic weather, equitable access to international climate finance is essential.
With rising heat, waterlogging, and pollution, how can Dhaka learn from global urban solutions — and is recovery still possible for cities like it?
Living in Ghaziabad, near Delhi, I see challenges that mirror Dhaka’s—pollution, flooding, heat stress, and poor waste management. Most developing cities weren’t built to withstand today’s climate impacts. Wetlands have been paved over, green spaces lost, and natural drainage disrupted, leaving urban areas vulnerable to flash floods and deadly heatwaves.
Much of this damage is self-inflicted—fossil fuel dependence, coal plants, and unchecked air conditioning worsen pollution and heat islands. The shift must begin with cleaner energy and smarter urban design. Cities like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur offer models: green roofs, porous pavements, and restored water systems that recharge the land and cool the air.
Recovery is possible. Dhaka and Delhi must invest in satellite towns, public transport, EVs, pedestrian zones, and park restoration. The solutions exist—but political will is key to building climate-resilient, livable cities.
Developed nations often fall short on climate pledges. What leverage can vulnerable countries like Bangladesh use to hold them accountable at COP and other global forums?
Bangladesh has been a vocal player in global climate forums, but it must push harder for climate finance tailored to its real needs and demand accountability from developed nations still expanding fossil fuel use. This expansion deepens climate risks for vulnerable countries.
Recent rulings from the International Court of Justice affirm the duty of states to ensure a clean, safe environment—strengthening the case for holding polluters, including fossil fuel companies, accountable. Many of these firms, based in the global North, continue promoting oil and gas, pressuring developing nations into long-term fossil infrastructure.
With fossil fuels kept artificially cheap by $700 billion in annual subsidies, Bangladesh must resist this trap, advocate for subsidy reform, and shift investment toward renewables. Youth voices are vital in this fight—partnering with the government to demand a carbon-neutral future and global climate justice.
How can Bangladesh help shape global frameworks for a just energy transition while securing finance and technology support?
We’re inviting Bangladesh to join 17 countries in shaping a new global framework for a fair energy transition. Unlike abrupt fossil fuel phase-outs, this approach supports gradual shifts with the finance and technology needed—especially vital for Bangladesh, where over 80% of energy still comes from fossil fuels.
While the Paris Agreement targets emissions, it lacks clear guidance on phasing out fossil fuels. A complementary framework is needed to address jobs, energy access, and government revenues. Bangladesh’s active role is essential to ensure the transition reflects its realities and secures equitable support.
