Govt, UNDP sign deal to promote low-carbon urban development

The government on Monday signed an agreement with the UNDP to jointly work towards attracting funds and preparing investment-grade projects for developing a sustainable, and climate-resilient urban development landscape in Bangladesh. 

The Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA), under the Power Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, signed the deal at Bidyut Bhaban, Dhaka, says a press release.

The five-year initiative, titled “Promoting Energy-Related Low Carbon Urban Development (LCUD) in Bangladesh,” is supported by a $3.7 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project will promote renewable energy adoption, energy-efficient infrastructure, and low-carbon urban planning solutions to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Bangladesh’s rapidly growing cities, through development of investment grade projects, interaction between public and private stakeholder and awareness raising among city dwellers.

Attending the event as the Chief Guest, KM Ali Reza, additional secretary at the Power Division, said, “Dependence on imported fuel remains a major challenge to our energy sovereignty.” He emphasized the importance of energy efficiency and called for the development of investment-grade projects supported by scalable and sustainable business models with strong financial linkages. “The LCUD project is a timely and critical initiative that aligns closely with our national priorities to scale up renewable energy and energy efficiency,” he added 

Sonali Dayaratne, deputy resident representative at UNDP, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, “Urbanization presents both a major challenge and a significant opportunity for climate action. The LCUD project reflects a strong partnership between the government, development partners, and the private sector to mobilize investment in practical low-carbon solutions. Its success will depend on a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.”

Muzaffar Ahmed, chairman of SREDA, stated, “SREDA envisions the LCUD Project as a practical, result-oriented, and investment-focused initiative. Success relies on strong cooperation among government agencies, city corporations, and the private sector to unlock both the environmental and economic benefits of renewable energy. Together, we believe the LCUD Project can become an effective and replicable model for Bangladesh." 

Among others, Engineer Md Muzibur Rahman, director of SREDA and project director of LCUD; and Sarder M Asaduzzaman, assistant resident representative of UNDP Bangladesh, also spoke.  

With rapid urbanization increasing pressure on energy systems and the environment, the LCUD project aims to support a more sustainable and low-carbon future for Bangladesh’s cities. The initiative will promote investments in energy-efficient buildings, rooftop solar power, and waste-to-energy solutions in key urban areas, including Dhaka and Chittagong. The project is expected to reduce more than 1.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over its lifetime while contributing to Bangladesh’s national climate goals.