Parliamentarians, CSOs call for faster renewable energy transition at COP31

Parliamentarians and civil society leaders from different countries have called for coordinated global action to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and ensure adequate financing for a just energy transition.

The call came at an international forum titled “Charting the Energy Shift: A Forum with Parliamentarians and CSOs on the People's Energy Transition Roadmap and Financing Accelerated Renewable Energy”, held at the Bangladesh Pavilion during the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, on Friday, said a press release.

The forum was organised by the Parliamentarians for a Fossil-Free Future (ParlFossilFree) network in collaboration with civil society organisations.

Speaking as chief guest, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam said the current government was working to overcome challenges inherited from the previous Awami League government in the energy sector.

He said the government was planning to generate 4,000 megawatts of electricity from rooftop solar systems within a short period and called for international parliamentary cooperation to accelerate Bangladesh's transition to renewable energy.

Lidy Nacpil, global coordinator of ParlFossilFree, said COP31 must move beyond promises and deliver concrete roadmaps for phasing out fossil fuels, backed by clear timelines, national legislation and adequate financing.

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Sharif Jamil, coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh, stressed the need for a comprehensive renewable energy roadmap, arguing that Bangladesh's energy sector remained heavily dependent on imported coal and liquefied natural gas despite some government initiatives to expand renewable energy.

Other speakers, including Canadian MP Rosa Galvez, Pakistani MP Nafisa Shah and Bolivian MP Cecilia Requena, highlighted the importance of energy independence, climate finance and stronger cooperation between parliamentarians and civil society.

Two panel discussions at the forum focused on climate financing for the energy transition and ways to align parliamentary commitments with civil society demands for faster renewable energy expansion.

Parliamentarians and representatives of civil society organisations from Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America attended the event, which underscored that the energy transition is not merely an environmental issue but also a matter of climate justice, economic equity and people's rights.