The two city corporations in Dhaka on Sunday launched a climate action plan to combat the adverse impacts of climate change, enhancing sustainability of the city.
The action plan identifies seven areas of climatic risks and vulnerabilities for the city and proposes major actions by 2050 to achieve milestones set in it.
The Local Governments for Sustainability, an international non-governmental organisation promoting sustainable development, the C40 Cities, a global network of nearly 100 mayors of the world鈥檚 leading cities and Dhaka North and South City Corporations jointly formulated and launched the action plan in an event in the city.
The seven climate-fragile sectors identified in the action plan are stormwater, solid waste, health, water supply, wastewater, transport and energy.
In the plan, the challenges identified in the two city corporations and the solutions proposed to mitigate them are very similar.
In the plan, both city corporations have set targets to achieve by 2050鈥攔ecovering the city canals 100 per cent from encroachment particularly to solve stormwater related hazards like urban flooding; collecting 100 per cent solid waste; enabling 100 per cent city residents to access healthcare services within 1.5 kilometres of their homes; ensuring use of 70 per cent surface water; ensuring 100 per cent wastewater treatment; and enabling 100 per cent buildings to use energy-efficient appliances.
As the chief guest of the launching event, environment minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury stressed urban afforestation to keep the city environment liveable by increasing the amount of greenery.
DNCC mayor Md Atiqul Islam said that impacts of climate change is are increasingly felt in his jurisdiction in recent years. Heavy and sudden rainfall leading to flooding, water stagnation and drainage congestion, extreme heat events and an increased risk of dengue and other vector-borne diseases underscore the importance of implementing localised mitigation and resilience techniques.
鈥楧haka鈥檚 climate action plan sets robust targets to improve city-wide heat resilience, healthcare, water supply and wastewater treatment, which is a reflection of the city鈥檚 ambition and dedication towards a low-carbon future and improving the quality of life of its citizens,鈥� he said.
DSCC mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said that in his jurisdiction relentless work is going on to reduce emissions with the aim that by 2050 the city will be more liveable, climate resilient and environment friendly.
Dhaka University vice chancellor professor ASM Maksud Kamal, deputy British high commissioner Matt Cannell, C40 Cities executive director Mark Watts,聽 Gazipur city mayor Jayeda Khatun were also present, among others, at the event.
