About 15 percent of carbon emissions are from the transport sector and most of the emissions are from trucks and buses.
To this end, eco-friendly vehicles need to be launched, and alternative fuel sources have to be found.
Speakers in a workshop titled “Green Transport and Just Transition in Bangladesh” made the comment on Saturday.
The workshop was jointly organized by Global Labor University of Germany and Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP).
Speakers at a workshop emphasized the importance of launching green transport in the interest of environmental protection, climate risk mitigation and sustainable development.
The workshop also recommended research on green transport, use of fuel efficient technology and capacity building of individuals and organizations engaged in transportation management.
However, the speakers urged the policy makers to pay due attention to ensure that the livelihood of transport workers does not become uncertain due to changes in technology.
Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiran, Chairman, Debate for Democracy was present as the chief guest on the occasion.
Kiran said that the concept of green transport would be of great help in building sustainable cities and towns. Initially, if the use of green transport can be ensured in all metros including Dhaka, the city dwellers will get the benefits.
“According to a study, 15percent of air pollution in Dhaka is due to unfit vehicles. Besides, low grade fossil fuels, and traffic jams are also a cause of air pollution in Dhaka. Although the use of bicycles as an environmental vehicle has increased all over the world, the use of bicycles has not yet become popular in Bangladesh,” he said.
In his keynote speech, Sheikh Mohammad Mehedi Hasan, General Secretary, BIP and Urban Resilience Specialist said that in order to launch eco-friendly vehicles, alternative fuel sources have to be found.
He recommended avoiding unnecessary travel, using energy efficient vehicles and using eco-friendly technology to build vehicles.
“Issues related to green transport should be considered while formulating and approving road transport projects. The Perspective Plan of the Government of Bangladesh and the 8th Annual Plan have promised to use environmentally friendly green vehicles,” he said.
However, there is a huge gap in policy direction and planning and implementation, which needs to be addressed in the interest of sustainable development, he added.
Dr SM Morshed, Project Manager, UNDP, said that in order to build a green and clean Dhaka, green transport needs to be developed. Public-private partnerships need to be strengthened to implement the government's initiative undertaken in the year 2000, to make 15 percent of registered vehicles powered by eco-friendly electricity.
The speakers highlighted that unlike gasoline-powered vehicles, green transport does not produce carbon dioxide from fuel. Being environmentally friendly, green transport will reduce greenhouse gases and help protect the environment and mitigate climate risks.
They suggested increasing the use of bicycles as an eco-friendly vehicle and separate lanes for bicycles to be provided in the city by providing affordable bicycles.
Prof Dr Sheikh Touhidul Islam, Professor, Jahangirnagar University and Ahsan Uddin, Fellow, Global Labor University participated in the discussion.