Climate Change - The Daily Ittefaq

Pressure builds on Europe's biggest port to be greener

Click Ittefaq Desk — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 00:12:09 +0600

Standing on a grassy verge in the Hook of Holland, I'm overlooking the Port of Rotterdam. At the delta of the Rhine and Meuse in the Netherlands, on land largely reclaimed from the North Sea, it's the biggest port for freight in Europe, reports the BBC. By some measures, Rotterdam alone handles almost as much cargo as all UK ports combined. The horizon is dominated by cranes, bulk carriers... Details

3 Bandarban rivers swell amid heavy rains; over 100 tourists stranded

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 13:27:25 +0600

Three major rivers in Bandarban continued to flow above the danger level on Tuesday following heavy rainfall and flash floods from upstream hills, leaving over 100 tourists stranded in remote parts of Thanchi upazila. The water levels of the Sangu, Matamuhuri and Bakkhali rivers have risen above the danger mark, inundating low-lying areas in Bandarban town and disrupting transport. River... Details

Jamuna erosion intensifies in Sirajganj

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:37:48 +0600

Severe riverbank erosion has hit several char areas in Sirajganj as the Jamuna River continues to swell due to upstream hill runoff and persistent rainfall, sweeping away homes, educational institutions, and vast stretches of agricultural land. According to locals, the Jamuna’s water level has been rising for the past several weeks. Although the river receded slightly a few days ago,... Details

Dhaka’s air quality remains ‘moderate’ on Tuesday morning

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:54:50 +0600

Dhaka’s air quality was in the ‘moderate’ category on Tuesday morning, ranking 19th among cities with the worst air quality. At 9:10am, the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 84, according to air monitoring data. Meanwhile, Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, topped the list with an AQI score of 177, making it the world’s most polluted city at the time.... Details

El Nino set to be strong, UN warns

BSS — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:14:07 +0600

El Nino will quickly develop into a strong event between July and September, fuelling the likelihood of extreme weather, the United Nations' weather and climate agency warned Friday. The World Meteorological Organization said El Nino had already set in, and would quickly gain strength, as it warned countries to brace for impact. El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon that warms surface... Details

Rain likely in parts of country

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:33:41 +0600

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) today forecasted rain in different parts of the country in next 24 hours commencing 9 am. "Light to moderate rain/thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind and lightning flashes is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Barishal, Chattogram & Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi, Khulna & Dhaka... Details

Dhaka ranks 9th among world’s most polluted cities

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:33:17 +0600

Dhaka ranked 9th among the world’s most polluted cities on Wednesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 112 at 10:05 am. The air quality was classified as ‘Unhealthy for sensitive groups’, indicating the outdoor pollution levels are high enough to cause health effects in at-risk individuals, even though the general public remains largely unaffected, according to... Details

PM urges WEF to support climate-vulnerable nations

UNB — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:27:16 +0600

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday called on the World Economic Forum (WEF) to undertake coordinated steps to support delta nations such as Bangladesh and other countries vulnerable to rising sea levels and climate-related risks. He made the call during a courtesy meeting with WEF President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alois Zwinggi in Dalian, China. The meeting took place at... Details

BMD forecasts nationwide rain, thunderstorms

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 21:07:55 +0600

Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds and lightning flashes are likely to occur in many parts of the country over the next 24 hours starting at 9:00am on Monday, says the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). According to a BMD bulletin, light to moderate rain or thundershowers with temporary gusty winds and lightning flashes are likely at many... Details

Heavy rainfall likely in three districts

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 13:00:59 +0600

Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds and lightning are likely in many parts of Bangladesh over the next 24 hours, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). The Met Office said rainfall is expected at many places in Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, while a few places in Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna and Barishal... Details

Dhaka's air quality remains moderate, ranks 13th globally

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 10:51:57 +0600

Bangladesh's capital Dhaka ranked 13th on the list of cities with the worst air quality on Sunday morning at 9:15am, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 92. With the score, Dhaka's air quality was classified as "moderate", indicating an acceptable level of air quality, although there may be a moderate health concern for a small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air... Details

Dhaka's air quality turns ‘moderate’

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 11:23:22 +0600

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, ranked 12th among the world’s most polluted cities on Saturday morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 88. According to the AQI scale, the city’s air quality was classified as ‘moderate’ at 09:06 am. India’s Delhi, Indonesia’s Jakarta and Pakistan’s Lahore occupied the first three spots on the list with AQI scores... Details

What to expect from the strongest El Nino in over a century

Click Ittefaq Desk — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 23:42:53 +0600

A potentially powerful El Nino developing in the Pacific Ocean could reshape weather patterns around the world in the coming weeks. Forecasters that warn this could be among the strongest El Nino events on record. There’s "real potential for the strongest El Nino event in 140 years," said Paul Roundy, a professor of atmospheric and environmental sciences at the State University of... Details

Rain likely across parts of country in next 24 hours

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:29:44 +0600

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) today forecast light to moderate rain or thunder showers in different parts of the country during the next 24 hours beginning from 9 am. According to a Met Office bulletin issued this morning, light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind and lightning flashes are likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh,... Details

Battle heats up over EU carbon market reform

BSS — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:49:58 +0600

With a major reform of Europe's carbon market just a month away, EU states, industry and environmental groups are locked in battle over the bloc's flagship climate tool. The European Commission has been under intense pressure to overhaul the two-decade-old Emissions Trading System (ETS), as the 27-nation EU seeks to shore up industry while tackling high energy costs. The EU executive is set... Details

Rainfall likely to increase over next five days

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:59:15 +0600

Rainfall is likely to increase further across the country over the next five days as the southwest monsoon continues to advance, with widespread rain and thunderstorms expected in many areas. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), a trough of low pressure persists from West Bengal to the northwest Bay, while the southwest monsoon has already advanced up to Barishal,... Details

World Environment Day today

BSS — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:18:35 +0600

World Environment Day-2026 is being observed in the country, as elsewhere across the globe, with a view to raising awareness about environmental protection. The government and various environmental and development organisations have undertaken different programmes to mark the day. World Environment Day is the United Nations' flagship initiative for promoting awareness and action for... Details

El Nino could push temperatures higher, UN warns

Click Ittefaq Desk — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:57:48 +0600

The UN weather agency on Tuesday issued an update predicting an 80% likelihood of an El Nino event between June and August of this year. El Nino is a periodic warming of sea temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which typically lasts between nine and 12 months, according to the WMO, reports the Deutsche Welle. The weather pattern can lead to increased temperatures worldwide,... Details

Next five years likely to be hottest on record, warns UN

UNB — Thu, 28 May 2026 11:57:10 +0600

The world is expected to experience record-breaking heat over the next five years, with global temperatures likely to repeatedly cross the critical climate safety limit, according to new projections by the United Nations. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says there is a 75% chance that average global temperatures between 2026 and 2030 will rise above 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to... Details

Climate change reduces oxygen in rivers, threatening marine life

UNB — Sat, 16 May 2026 12:07:52 +0600

Climate change is causing rivers around the world to lose oxygen, putting fish and other aquatic life at risk, according to a new study. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences analyzed oxygen levels in more than 21,000 rivers worldwide using satellite data and artificial intelligence. Their findings, published Friday in Science Advances, show that river oxygen levels have fallen by... Details

Children most affected by climate change

BSS — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:55:22 +0600

Eight-year-old- Maliha is growing up in an island area with her family at seaside Rangabali upazila of Patuakhali district. Very often, Maliha fell affected by various diseases due to the use of salty sea water. Various diseases including diarrhea and respiratory problems are common in her life. Due to low immunity, she is at high risk of contracting other life-threatening... Details

'Govt adopts long-term strategies to combat climate change'

UNB — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:40:54 +0600

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo on Wednesday told Parliament that the government has undertaken a series of comprehensive measures to protect the country from the adverse impacts of climate change. The Minister said this in replying to a starred question from independent lawmaker elected from Brahmanbaria-2 Rumeen Farhana during the day’s question-answer... Details

Unlocking new sources of climate finance essential in Bangladesh: UNDP

UNB — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:16:27 +0600

Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh Stefan Liller has said unlocking new sources of climate finance is essential in Bangladesh, a country on the frontlines of climate change. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and City Bank PLC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently to accelerate climate finance in Bangladesh by advancing the country’s emerging thematic... Details

UN issues new climate warning as El Niño looms

Click Ittefaq Desk — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:36:59 +0600

The Earth's climate is further out of balance than at any time in recorded history, the UN's weather agency has warned. The World Meteorological Organization says that our planet is gaining much more heat energy than it can release, driven by emissions of warming gases such as carbon dioxide, BBC reports. This record "energy imbalance" heated the ocean to new heights last year and continued... Details

Climate scientists change El Nino labeling as temperatures spike

UNB — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 13:57:39 +0600

Meteorologists say the natural El Nino cycle, which shapes global weather, is both influencing and being influenced by a warming planet. A new study suggests an unusual recent shift in the El Nino–La Nina cycle may help explain why Earth’s already rising temperature jumped sharply over the past three years. At the same time, scientists have revised how El Niño and La... Details

Brazil's soy industry gives deforestation a green light

Click Ittefaq Desk. — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:05:04 +0600

For almost two decades, Brazil's largest soy producers guaranteed their products did not come from land cleared in the Amazon rainforest. Now, all bets are off. A moratorium that has protected vital rainforest since 2009 is on shaky ground as several players from Brazil's soy industry say they are pulling out, according to the Deutsche Welle. Specifically, the Brazilian industry association... Details

Climate change raising long-term hilsha supply risks

UNB — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 12:29:16 +0600

Bangladesh’s hilsa catch is shrinking at an alarming pace as rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and shifting river flows disrupt breeding cycles, threatening supplies of the country’s national fish and a key source of income for thousands of fishermen. Researchers warn that without urgent climate adaptation and river management measures, the decline could deepen, posing... Details

Study warns ocean chemistry changes could weaken sharks’ teeth

UNB — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 22:51:32 +0600

Sharks are known as the ocean’s most feared predators, relying on their razor-sharp, constantly regrowing teeth to survive. But scientists say rising ocean acidity could gradually weaken those powerful weapons. That is the conclusion of a study by German researchers who examined how more acidic seawater affects shark teeth. Scientists say human activities such as burning coal, oil and... Details

Climate change-warmed oceans fueled intense rainfall, deadly floods in Asia

UNB — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 10:35:09 +0600

Human-caused warming of the oceans intensified rainfall that led to deadly floods and landslides across Asia in recent weeks, according to a study released Wednesday. The rapid analysis by World Weather Attribution (WWA) examined heavy rains from cyclones Senyar and Ditwah, which affected Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka starting late last month. Researchers found that elevated sea... Details

Bangladesh needs nearly $150bn in climate finance by 2050

UNB — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:03:42 +0600

Bangladesh requires approximately $146.81 billion as total climate finance until 2050, while the total adaptation finance needs will be $86.04 billion. On the other hand, $60.77 billion will be required to address the total mitigation needs (2021-2030), says a new report explaining Bangladesh’s climate finance requirements. The report titled “Climate Finance Synthesis Report:... Details

Bangladesh needs stronger ties to adapt: WB report

UNB — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 13:54:31 +0600

Bangladesh can accelerate the adoption of climate-smart solutions that not only reduce vulnerability but also drive sustainable development by strengthening institutions and partnerships between government, the private sector and communities. “Prioritising these actions will empower households and firms and ensure that progress toward long-term prosperity is both resilient and... Details

Are businesses staying silent about climate pledges?

Click Ittefaq Desk — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 19:17:37 +0600

With Trump's call to "drill, baby drill" and sweeping changes to environmental policies, it's been suggested that some companies are talking less about their climate pledges. But the truth behind the trend is much more complicated than it first seems. It happened gradually, then suddenly, reports the BBC. An alliance of banks dedicated to cutting greenhouse gas emissions lost some of its... Details

Super-rich lifestyles depleting world’s remaining carbon budget: Oxfam

UNB — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 12:28:24 +0600

Ahead of the major international climate conference COP30 in Belem, Brazil, new Oxfam research reveals that the high-carbon lifestyles of the super-rich are rapidly exhausting the world’s remaining carbon budget, the amount of CO2 that can be emitted to avoid climate catastrophe. The research also details how billionaires are using their political and economic influence to keep humanity... Details

Global study warns worsening droughts could devastate grasslands

UNB — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 10:01:03 +0600

A landmark international study led by Chinese scientists has found that as droughts grow longer and more severe, grasslands across the world face a growing risk of collapse rather than adaptation. The research, conducted by a team from Beijing Forestry University in collaboration with scientists from more than 120 institutions across 28 countries, provides the first global evidence that... Details

Singapore to impose green aviation fuel levy on flights

Click Ittefaq Desk. — Sat, 18 Oct 2025 23:04:14 +0600

Singapore’s parliament passed a bill on Tuesday introducing a fixed levy on departing flights to cut emissions and support the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by airlines. The levy will be paid to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, which will procure and manage sustainable aviation fuel, according to Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling at a parliamentary... Details

September heatwave—a reminder of global warming

UNB — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 21:22:42 +0600

Bangladesh Meteorological Department on Friday announced that a mild heatwave was sweeping over parts of Bangladesh, including the divisions of Rangpur and Sylhet. This is the first time a heatwave has been officially announced this month, the last month of the four-month-long monsoon season. “The heatwave might abate on Saturday,” said Hafizur Rahman, a meteorologist at the BMD.... Details

Australia likely to cut emissions by 62% or more by 2035

UNB — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:20:03 +0600

Australia on Thursday set a new target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by between 62% and 70% below 2005 levels by 2035. The new target adds to Australia’s ambition of a 43% cut by the end of this decade and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, leader of the center-left Labor Party, will take his government’s 2035 target to the U.N.... Details

57mn in Bangladesh severely affected by extreme heat: Study

UNB — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 21:18:52 +0600

Bangladesh ranked among the countries hardest hit by abnormal heat this summer, with 57 million people—over a third of the population—facing dangerously high temperatures, according to a new report by international research organization Climate Central released Wednesday. The study found that from June to August, human-driven climate change exposed billions worldwide to extreme heat, placing... Details

Bangladesh launches new climate finance strategy

UNB — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 15:38:11 +0600

Bangladesh has unveiled a new phase of its national climate finance strategy to tackle the devastating consequences of climate change that already cost the country nearly $1 billion annually. The initiative titled Inclusive Budgeting and Financing for Climate Resilience (IBFCR) Phase II was launched at the Finance Division in Dhaka on Tuesday, said a press release. The global warming reached... Details

Rising seas threaten 1.5 million Australians by 2050 - report

Click Ittefaq Desk — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 11:20:56 +0600

One and a half million Australians living in coastal areas are at risk from rising sea levels by 2050, according to a landmark climate report. Australia's first National Climate Risk Assessment predicted more frequent and severe climate hazards like floods, cyclones, heatwaves, droughts and bushfires, BBC reports. "Australians are already living with the consequences of climate change today... Details

Study links heat waves to major fossil fuel emitters

UNB — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 13:05:02 +0600

A new study has found that 55 of the heat waves recorded over the past 25 years would have been virtually impossible without human-caused climate change, highlighting the role of major fossil fuel and cement producers in driving extreme heat events. Published Wednesday in the journal Nature, the study examined 213 heat waves worldwide from 2000 to 2023 using data from the EM-DAT International... Details

EU faces worst wildfire season on record

Click Ittefaq Desk — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 12:31:24 +0600

A record one million hectares - equivalent to about half the land area of Wales - have burned across the European Union so far this year, making it the worst wildfire season since records began in 2006. Spain and Portugal have been hit especially hard, with roughly 1% of the entire Iberian Peninsula scorched, according to EU scientists, reports the BBC. The worsening fire season in the... Details

Antarctic ice loss could have 'catastrophic' impact

Click Ittefaq Desk — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 17:32:16 +0600

Scientists on Wednesday warned that abrupt and potentially irreversible changes are occurring in Antarctica. They said the changes, which are driven by climate change, could lead to "catastrophic consequences for generations." The research was published in the journal Nature. It sought to describe the interlocking effects of global warming on the Antarctic, the frozen continent at the planet's... Details

Heavy rain leaves 30 dead in Chinese capital

Click Ittefaq Desk — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 10:53:40 +0600

Heavy rain in the Chinese capital Beijing has killed 30 people and prompted authorities to evacuate 80,000, state media said Tuesday. Intense rainstorms have pummelled swathes of northern China this week, including the capital and the provinces of Hebei, Jilin and Shandong, according to the Bangkok Post. As of midnight Monday, "the latest round of heavy rainstorms has left 30 people dead in... Details

Turkey sets new record of 50.5 degrees as Europe swelters

Click Ittefaq Desk — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 15:55:48 +0600

Turkey's Environment Ministry said meteorologists had registered a reading of 50.5 degrees Celsius (122.9 degrees Fahrenheit) in the southeast of the country, setting a nationwide record. The record temperature was registered on Friday at Silopi, the ministry said in a post on X on Saturday, according to the Deutsche Welle. Silopi is 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Turkey's borders with Iraq and... Details

Extreme heat threatens lives, livelihoods of workers in Bangladesh

Click Ittefaq Desk — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 10:51:25 +0600

Extreme heat driven by the human-induced climate emergency is endangering the lives and livelihoods of urban workers in Bangladesh, Climate Rights International said in a new 172-page report published on Tuesday. Inside garment factories, on construction sites, and in the middle of city streets, workers are fainting, falling ill, and even dying in extreme temperatures, with little protection... Details

Kashmir's growing heat crisis hits health and harvests

Click Ittefaq Desk — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 11:08:02 +0600

Zaina Begum stood helplessly next to her withering paddy field. A farmer in Indian-administered Kashmir's Pulwama district, she had been waiting for rainfall for more than a month, hoping to save her crop from dying. So when it finally rained earlier this week, she was hopeful. "But it was already too late by then," she said. "Our land had completely dried up." An intense heatwave has... Details

Texas Floods: Nearly 70 Dead

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 23:44:55 +0600

Flash floods in Texas killed dozens and left an unknown number of July Fourth visitors and campers missing, including many girls attending Camp Mystic. The devastation along the Guadalupe River, outside of San Antonio, has drawn a massive search effort as officials face questions over their preparedness and the speed of their initial actions. Here's what to know about the deadly flooding, the... Details

Heatwave grips Europe

Click Ittefaq Desk — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 23:30:10 +0600

Spain and England have recorded their hottest June ever, as scorching temperatures continue to grip Europe. Spain's weather service Aemet said the "extremely hot" June - with an average temperature of 23.6C (74.5F) - "has pulverised records", surpassing the normal average for July and August, BBC reports. In England, the Met Office said June's mean temperature of 16.9C set a new record for... Details

How do renewables contribute to energy security?

Click Ittefaq Desk — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 21:55:04 +0600

While a precarious ceasefire is currently holding between Iran and Isreal, the escalating conflict between the two nations over recent weeks has brought global energy security back into the spotlight. In response to US attacks on its nuclear facilities, Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping passage for global energy supplies, According to the Deutsche Welle. Such a... Details

China launches hydrogen generator to cut emissions

Click Ittefaq — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 12:25:36 +0600

A homegrown hydrogen internal combustion engine generator set has been put into commercial operation in central China's Hubei Province, contributing to exhaust gas treatment and the reduction of carbon emissions, the China Science Daily reported Wednesday. The 300-kilowatt generator set -- the most powerful of its kind in China -- has been jointly developed by Huazhong University of Science... Details

Northern India and Pakistan scorched by relentless heatwave

Click Ittefaq Desk — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 23:48:35 +0600

Blistering heat has swept across northern India and Pakistan as temperatures soared past 45°C (113F), triggering health warnings and power outages. Light rain is expected to bring relief on Thursday evening. A severe heatwave held a grip on northern India and Pakistan on Thursday, with temperatures soaring above 45°C (113F) in major cities across both countries and prompting alerts... Details

US, Europe drive emissions higher

Click Ittefaq Desk — Sat, 17 May 2025 19:38:11 +0600

The world’s largest power polluter, China, made its biggest cut to power emissions since 2020 so far this year, but global power emissions have still held largely flat due to higher fossil fuel power generation in the United States and Europe. The United States and Europe emitted a combined 801 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) from fossil fuel-based power production during... Details

Climate-driven wildfires caused thousands deaths over 15yrs: Study

Click Ittefaq Desk — Thu, 08 May 2025 14:35:52 +0600

A new study has found that climate change has significantly contributed to wildfire smoke in the U.S., leading to thousands of deaths and billions in economic damages over a 15-year period. Published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment, the study estimates that from 2006 to 2020, climate change was responsible for approximately 15,000 deaths due to fine particulate matter (PM2.5)... Details

Why rice has a growing arsenic problem

Click Ittefaq Desk — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 22:20:09 +0600

Rice is a staple food for billions of people around the planet, but a new study suggests climate change may increase arsenic levels contained within the grain. Rice is a staple food for more than half of the global population. It is consumed on a daily basis by more people than either wheat or maize, also known as corn, BBC reports. So it is with some concern that scientists have unveiled a... Details

4°C warming may slash global GDP by 40% by 2100: Study

Click Ittefaq Desk — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 20:06:39 +0600

A new study from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has warned that global GDP could plummet by 40% by 2100 if temperatures rise by 4 degrees Celsius—far worse than earlier estimates of an 11% decline. The research, conducted by UNSW’s Institute for Climate Risk & Response (ICRR), challenges existing economic models that have guided climate policies, highlighting the need... Details

HC orders dismantling nationwide illegal brick kilns

Click Ittefaq Desk — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 22:11:09 +0600

The High Court has ordered the removal of all illegal brick kilns across the country in strict compliance with legal provisions and directed that a report be submitted to it by March 17. The order was issued on Monday by the High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury after eight officials appeared before the court and submitted written explanations, UNB... Details

Japan, IOM sign $3.2mn deal for Bangladesh’s flood recovery

Click Ittefaq Desk — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 21:56:48 +0600

The government of Japan has extended its support to flood-affected communities in eastern Bangladesh by providing the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with $3.2 million in assistance. This funding aims to aid the displaced and affected populations in Noakhali, Laxmipur and Feni, three of the worst-hit districts, UNB reports. The agreement was formalised through an Exchange of... Details

Over 150 whales stranded on remote Australian beach

Click Ittefaq Desk — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 12:09:29 +0600

More than 60 false killer whales have died and authorities are trying to save dozens more after a mass stranding on a remote Australian beach. Tasmania's Department of Natural Resources and Environment said a pod of 157 had beached near Arthur River, in the island's north west, BBC reports. About 90 of the animals - which witnesses say include juveniles - are still alive, with conservation... Details

Extreme weather claimed 8mn lives in 30yrs

Click Ittefaq Desk — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 20:23:31 +0600

Extreme weather can ravage a country — it kills people, injures them and destroys expensive infrastructure, businesses and crops. A scenario that is intensifying with climate change. The new Climate Risk Index by the NGO Germanwatch, which focuses on climate mitigation, compiled data on these effects from 1993 to 2022, DW reports. It found that almost 800,000 people were killed in... Details

Can green buildings in Bangladesh create opportunities for carbon trading?

Click Ittefaq Desk — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 16:28:08 +0600

The urgency of climate change demands innovative solutions, and green building practices are emerging as a powerful force in mitigating carbon emissions. However, the potential of green buildings extends beyond simply reducing a building's carbon footprint. By implementing sustainable design and construction techniques, carbon trading opportunities can be unlocked, creating a financial... Details

Chuadanga sees sudden fall in temperature

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 13:59:39 +0600

Within a day, the temperature in the southwestern district of Chuadanga has dropped by 5.1 degree Celsius, standing at 10.4 degree Celsius. The sudden cold left low-income people, children and elderly ones in severe trouble. The district recorded temperature at 10.4 degree Celsius with 64 percent humidity at 9am on Friday, according to the local weather observatory office. The temperature on... Details

Fewer guest birds at JU: Rising biodiversity concern

Click Ittefaq Desk — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 10:30:05 +0600

As a foggy morning dawns into the tree-shaded campus the silence is broken by the birds. The chirping of guest birds on beds of water lilies floating on the lake, birds flying away in groups only to return and settle on the water, and those darting across the surface with charming calls—this is how the lake and reservoir at Jahangirnagar University looked during the winter months. Not... Details

What is Carbon Trading? How does it work?

Click Ittefaq Desk — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 15:57:03 +0600

Carbon emissions, primarily in the form of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄), contribute to global warming, climate change, and sea-level rising which in turn increase the frequency and intensity of natural phenomena, and disasters like cyclones, floods, wildfire, drought, heatwave, etc. Reduction of carbon emissions has multifarious environmental, economic, social, and health... Details

Is the renewables boom enough to protect the climate?

Click Ittefaq Desk — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 20:19:48 +0600

The global energy supply is radically changing. Solar and wind power's share in the global electricity mix has almost quadrupled in a decade, from 5% in 2015 to around 19% today. Together with hydropower, biomass and geothermal energy, renewables now supply around 35% of the world's electricity. However, most energy globally is consumed for heating and transportation, and the proportion of... Details

Dhaka Youth Forum call for bold climate action

Click Ittefaq Desk — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 11:21:33 +0600

Youth leaders from across the capital gathered at the Military Museum on Sunday for the “Dhaka Youth Climate Forum"- a platform to reflect on UN Climate Conference COP29 outcomes and set ambitious goals for COP30. Jointly organized by Nature Conservation Management (NACOM) and YouthNet Global, with support from the Climate Ambition Support Alliance (CASA) and the UK Department for Energy... Details

IEA predicts record nuke power production in 2025

Click Ittefaq Desk — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 23:09:52 +0600

Nuclear-powered electricity generation is set to hit a record level in 2025, accounting for nearly 10 percent of global production, the International Energy Agency forecast on Thursday. The leading energy monitor said in a report that 70 gigawatts of new generating capacity were under construction worldwide -- one of the highest levels in 30 years, BSS reports. It forecast that electricity... Details

2024 saw record rainfall, flooding: Study

Click Ittefaq Desk — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 20:24:44 +0600

The year 2024 witnessed a number of new records for extreme weather, most prominently characterized by torrential rains and floods that swept across the globe, according to Chinese and foreign meteorologists. In a paper published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences on Saturday, an international team of scientists led by researchers at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics... Details

2024 was officially the hottest on record

Click Ittefaq Desk — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 11:38:36 +0600

The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has confirmed in its latest Global Climate Highlights report that 2024 was the hottest on record. The study reveals a rise of 1.6 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times — defined as the level between 1850 and 1900. Previously, 2023 was the warmest year, DW reports. At the international climate conference in Paris in 2015,... Details

Bangladesh to launch EPR guidelines

Click Ittefaq Desk — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 19:34:31 +0600

In an effort to tackle the mounting challenges of plastic pollution, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, alongside the Ministry of Water Resources, is preparing to introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines. Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan made the disclosure in a meeting held on Thursday at the Bangladesh Secretariat, UNB reports. She said the... Details

Dubai bans single-use plastics

Click Ittefaq Desk — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 15:49:12 +0600

As of today, January 1, 2025, Dubai has officially enforced a ban on single-use plastic products. If you are ordering takeaway or food delivery, you may notice some changes as the emirate takes significant steps towards reducing plastic waste, fostering eco-friendly habits, and promoting a culture of reuse and recycling, reports Gulf News. What single-use plastic items are banned in Dubai?... Details

Global coal use to hit record high in 2024: IEA

Deutsche Welle — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:46:44 +0600

Global coal consumption is projected to hit a record high in 2024, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), despite ongoing calls to phase out the highly polluting fossil fuel. The IEA's Coal 2024 report, released on Wednesday, projects coal demand will surpass 8.9 billion tonnes this year, marking a third consecutive annual record, and go on to hit a peak in 2027, DW reports. The... Details

Dhaka ranks 3rd in global pollution this morning.

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 18:17:08 +0600

Dhaka ranked third on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 206 at 9:00 am on Thursday morning.Dhaka’s air was classified as 'very unhealthy', according to the air quality and pollution city ranking.India's Delhi and Pakistan’s Lahore occupied the first and second spots in the list, with AQI scores of 267 and 237, respectively. An... Details

The world has been warming faster than expected

Click Ittefaq Desk — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 22:58:50 +0600

Last year was the hottest on record, oceans boiled, glaciers melted at alarming rates, and it left scientists scrambling to understand exactly why. They know the extraordinary heat was fueled by a number of factors, predominantly planet-heating pollution from burning fossil fuels and the natural climate pattern El Niño. But those alone did not explain the unusually rapid temperature... Details

Why fertile land is turning to desert

Deutsche Welle — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 23:40:34 +0600

Nearly one half of the planet's land mass is on the brink of turning into nonarable desert, according to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). These already-arid lands are marked by low rainfall yet support 45% of the world's agriculture. Now, extreme drought linked to human-made global heating is helping to transform this area into an infertile wasteland, reports... Details

Writ filed against IEPMP seeking climate justice

Click Ittefaq Desk — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 12:08:12 +0600

A writ petition has been filed in the higher court challenging the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) 2023 in what they said a historic step towards seeking climate justice. The writ petition was led by Lawyers for Energy Environment and Development Limited (LEED) by its Counsel, Barrister Abdullah Mahmood Hasan, Advocate Abdullah Al Noman, Advocate Monera Haque Mone, and Advocate... Details

COP29 ends with a last-minute climate funding deal

Deutshce Welle — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 09:58:11 +0600

Rarely has a climate summit venue so accurately reflected the mood and unfolding of negotiations. For two bumpy weeks, the labyrinthine corridors in Baku's Olympic Stadium have echoed with the hurried footsteps of negotiators rushing from one windowless meeting room to the next, avoiding dead-ends and wrong turns among the endless passageways, DW reports. Further characterized by missing... Details

Climate-vulnerable nations walk out of overtime talks

Deutsche Welle — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 22:54:36 +0600

Delegations representing several small and impoverished nations severely threatened by climate change walked out of consultations on Saturday as UN climate talks in Azerbaijan went far into overtime without clinching a deal to help the nations most at risk. "We're here as a group of AOSIS (Alliance of Small Island States) and LDCs (Least Developed Countries). We've just walked out," said... Details

Climate funding goal falls short

Deutsche Welle — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 20:10:16 +0600

With negotiations running right up to the wire on the final day of talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, a second draft text has proposed developed countries should provide $250 billion per year by 2035 for developing countries to take climate action. The figure was met with deep disappointment from observers from the developing states, who have called on industrialized nations to provide at least $1... Details

Plastic pollution a 'global threat to human rights'

Click Ittefaq Desk — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 15:26:13 +0600

UN experts said on Thursday that the legally binding global instrument on plastic pollution, now in the final phase of negotiation, must secure accountability in all stages of the plastic cycle. Ahead of the last scheduled session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee in Busan, South Korea, the experts issued a statement. In the statement, they said “The current direction of the... Details

COP29 to set new global climate finance target

Click Ittefaq Desk — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 23:42:15 +0600

As COP29 discussions intensify, Friday may witness setting the new target for global climate finance. Ziaul Haque, a member of Bangladesh's delegation and Director (Air Management) at the Department of Environment, told UNB, “Final discussions will take place today and tomorrow. However, we believe the conference may be extended by another day. The main goal of COP29 is to set a target... Details

Bangladesh bins climate loans, seeks fair financing

Click Ittefaq Desk — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 20:38:15 +0600

Bangladesh, one of the nations most affected by climate change, is not receiving adequate financial support as promised under international agreements, said Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. Talking to UNB during the ongoing COP29 summit in Baku, Rizwana expressed dissatisfaction with the global financing mechanisms, saying that a significant portion of funds is being offered as loans... Details

A wake-up call for climate action

Click Ittefaq Desk — Sun, 17 Nov 2024 10:07:55 +0600

As global climate negotiators are in action at COP29, a new study sheds light on the alarming consequences of climate change on Bangladesh's coastal ecosystems, with a sharp focus on the fragile Manpura Island. Conducted by Joy Bhowmik, Haseeb Md Irfanullah, Samiya Ahmed Selim and Mohammad Budrudzaman, the research reveals the socio-economic and non-economic losses experienced by communities... Details

Governments, industry must up action on methane

Deutsche Welle — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 19:00:49 +0600

A global methane monitoring system has so far alerted governments and companies to over 1200 major plumes of the potent greenhouse gas but has only received responses detailing the cause of the emissions and action taken in 1% of cases, said a new UN report. The Methane Alert Response System (MARS), which detects releases of the gas responsible for about a third of planetary heating so far,... Details

COP29 reveals world's most polluting cities

Click Ittefaq Desk — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 18:46:33 +0600

Cities in Asia and the United States emit the most heat-trapping gas that feeds climate change, with Shanghai the most polluting, according to new data that combines observations and artificial intelligence. Nations at U.N. climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan are trying to set new targets to cut such emissions and figure out how much rich nations will pay to help the world with that task.... Details

Developing nations need $1 trillion in climate funding

Desk Report — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 14:57:05 +0600

The major battle in Baku is over how much rich nations will help poor countries to decarbonize their energy systems, cope with future harms of climate change and pay for damage from warming's extreme weather. The old goal of $100 billion a year in aid is expiring and Baku's main focus is coming up with a new, bigger figure, UNB reports. A special independent group of experts commissioned by... Details

Green financing initiative for Bangladesh’s SMEs launched

Desk Report — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 10:08:28 +0600

Truvalu, in collaboration with One to Watch and United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, successfully hosted the Access to Green Financing (A2GF) for Enterprises in Bangladesh Insight Exchange and Partnership Forum. The forum introduced the Access to Green Financing (A2GF) for Enterprises programme, it’s objectives and... Details

CO2 emissions hit new peak in 2024

Desk Report — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 21:48:35 +0600

Planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions from oil, gas and coal rose to a new record high this year, according to preliminary research Wednesday that found no sign the world was moving away from fossil fuels. Nations gathering in Azerbaijan for crunch UN climate talks have pledged to "transition away" from fossil fuels and aim to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial... Details

Climate disaster fund to start paying out in 2025

Deutsche Welle — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 20:02:20 +0600

After years of seeing her home country of Uganda hit by the impacts of climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuels, Ireen Twongirwe is angry. "You can't predict what is coming, you know? Like you find when it's the season for rain, now sunshine comes in, when it's the season for sunshine, now rain comes in. So, you know, it's hard to predict," said Twongirwe, executive director of the... Details

Prof Yunus urges mobilising 'intellectual, financial, youth power'

Desk Report — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 13:38:33 +0600

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday highlighted the importance of mobilising intellectual, financial and youth power to lay the foundation for a new civilisation—a self-preserving and self-reinforcing civilisation. "The climate crisis is intensifying. Our civilisation is at grave risk as we continue to promote self-destructive values," he said while speaking at the COP29, UNB... Details

Oil and gas are a 'gift of god', says COP29 host

Desk Report — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 10:23:05 +0600

Azerbaijan's president said countries should not be blamed for having oil, gas and other natural resources or bringing them to the market. The president of COP29’s host country has told the UN climate conference that oil and gas are a "gift of god". Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev criticised "Western fake news" about the country's emissions and said nations "should not be blamed"... Details

Climate vulnerable countries require enough support: CA

Desk Report — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 23:33:50 +0600

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said most climate vulnerable countries with limited decarbonisation capacity need to have adequate financial and technical support to develop green industries. He said Bangladesh is willing to work with Climate Club to catalyse international cooperation in terms of capacity building, technology transfer and concessional decarbonisation finance, BSS... Details

World leaders descend on Baku for UN climate talks

Desk Report — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 13:55:43 +0600

World leaders are converging Tuesday at the United Nations annual climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan although the big names and powerful countries are noticeably absent, unlike past climate talks which had the star power of a soccer World Cup. But 2024's climate talks are more like the World Chess Federation finals, lacking the recognizable names but big on nerd power and strategy, reports... Details

Greta Thunberg protests Azerbaijan hosting UN climate talks

Desk Report — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 13:03:12 +0600

Climate activist Greta Thunberg on Monday attended a rally in Georgia to protest against Azerbaijan hosting the annual United Nations climate talks. Thunberg and scores of other activists who rallied in Tbilisi, the capital of the South Caucasus nation, argued that Azerbaijan doesn't deserve to host the climate talks because of its repressive policies, UNB reports. U.N. climate talks, called... Details

Urgent climate finance from wealthy nations sought

Desk Report — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 20:56:04 +0600

At the COP29 opening on Monday, ActionAid urged wealthy, high-emission countries in the Global North to increase climate financing to the Global South. The organization emphasized that without adequate funds for adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage, climate goals will be unachievable. ActionAid’s Global Climate Justice lead, Teresa Anderson, said, “COP29 is about the new... Details

What does Donald Trump's victory mean for the climate?

Deutsche Welle — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 20:03:35 +0600

President-elect Donald Trump has made no secret of his views on climate change. During his first presidency from 2017 to 2021, he repeatedly expressed doubts about it being caused by human behavior, calling it a "hoax". Out on the campaign trail for a second term, he called it "one of the great scams of all time", reports DW. So, now that's he's been elected for a second term, what's in store... Details

Private jets surge carbon emissions amid climate crisis

Desk Report — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 23:04:53 +0600

The mega-rich are using private jets like taxis, warn climate scientists who tracked flights to calculate the planet-warming gases they release. The scientists worked out that the carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to climate change, rose by 46% between 2019 and 2023, BBC reports. Researchers traced all private flights globally, including summer weekend trips to Ibiza, Spain and... Details

Snow returns to Mount Fuji after record delay

Desk Report — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 12:46:31 +0600

Snow has finally fallen on Mount Fuji, images showed Wednesday, after warm weather led to the Japanese mountain’s longest-ever stint with bare slopes. The volcano’s famous snowcap begins forming on October 2 on average, and last year snow was first observed by government meteorologists on October 5, according to Al Arabiya news. Japan’s weather agency -- which compares... Details

ADB warns Asia-Pacific GDP may drop by 17% by 2070

Desk Report — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 12:16:23 +0600

New Asian Development Bank (ADB) research finds the impacts of climate change could reduce gross domestic product (GDP) in developing Asia and the Pacific by 17% by 2070 under a high-end greenhouse gas emissions scenario, rising to 41% by 2100. Rising sea levels and falling labour productivity would cause the greatest losses, with lower income and fragile economies hit hardest, reports UNB.... Details

RE firms to get 10-yr tax holiday

Desk Report — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 22:42:46 +0600

The Bangladesh government has introduced a tax holiday for renewable energy power generation companies, aiming to drive more investment in the country’s green energy sector. The tax incentive provides benefits over a ten-year period, designed to support long-term growth and development of renewable energy projects. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) recently issued an official order outlining... Details