The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has suggested Bangladesh to think of ways for accelerating adoption of renewable energy across the country as intensive heat in the country will further increase the demand.
"One of the challenges that Bangladesh will face is the increase of demand for energy," ADB's climate envoy Warren Evans told UNB, noting that Bangladesh is already taking really good steps for awareness building on the risks of intensive heat for people, specially the women.
He said investment is required in the coming years to be able to survive and grow economically in the face of climate impact. "It is going to require a substantial investment."
Warren provides broad oversight and guidance for ADB’s climate operations, including optimizing climate finance scale and impact, mobilizing new and additional technical and financial resources, strengthening ADB’s external climate partnerships and engagement with international climate agreements and initiatives, and reinforcing capacity development for climate change operations.
Responding to a question, he said it will require a lot of policy and regulatory reforms.
The envoy referred to a policy based loan (PBL) with Bangladesh that looks at those policy and regulatory reforms.
He said that was set in place, giving a new direction for ADB"s system in Bangladesh, which is largely focused on climate action.
"So, there are a lot of challenges, but we see great real progress," said the climate envoy.
He mentioned the "Gender and Heat Initiative" launched recently to better understand and invest in adaptation to the impacts of heat stress on women and girls across Asia and the Pacific.
Under the new technical assistance program, ADB sees how the growing threat of heat stress affects women and identify specific policies, actions, and investments that can help governments reduce the impacts of heat on women and girls.