Civil society organisations slam COP24 negotiations

Representatives of civil society organisations on Monday criticised the outcome of the global climate change negotiation (COP24) in Poland's Katwise, calling it frustrating.

They also slammed the proposed "Paris Rulebook" that ignored interests of the Most Vulnerable Countries.

The day's press conference at the Jatiya Press Club was moderated by M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD. The same organisation's Syed Aminul Hoque presented the keynote paper. Among others, Qumrul Islam Chowdhury of Federation of Environmental Journalist in Banagldesh, Md Shamsuddoha of Centre for Participatory Research and Development, and Badrul Alam of Banglaesh Krishak Federation, spoke in the event, reports UNB.

Aminul said there was hardly any particular text in the proposed Paris Rulebook on financial commitment, technology and capacity building issues for vulnerable countries. He criticised the developed countries for going back on their commitments.

Shamsuddoha said the refusal of the developed countries to accept the IPCC report will seriously hamper the implementation of Paris Agreement, which will further aggravated the suffering of the most vulnerable countries.

Rezaul Karim said Bangladesh needed to continue to raise its voice on the climate change issue. He also advocated for setting up a climate commission.

Badrul Alam said the developed countries had successfully moved away from their promise to create a $100 billion climate fund. "They have started dillydallying about their promises of financial aid after 2025. The most vulnerable countries now have no option to raise their voices about historical responsibility and damages," he said.