The High Court on Tuesday issued a rule asking the government to explain in four weeks why the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) should not be reviewed to align with Bangladesh鈥檚 climate goals.
The bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Mubina Asaf also sought clarification on why the government should not prioritise implementing the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP) 2022鈥�2041, which was approved in accordance with international climate treaties such as the Paris Agreement.
The rule followed a writ petition filed by Monera Haque Mone, Supreme Court lawyer and chairman of Lawyers for Energy Environment and Development Limited.
The lawyer challenged the government鈥檚 inaction in implementing the MCPP and its approval of the IEPMP, which allegedly contradicts national and international climate commitments.
The rule was issued to the secretaries of the ministries of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, along with the heads of different energy and environmental agencies, including, the chairman of the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority, the chairman of the Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council, the director general of Power Cell, the director general of the Department of Environment, and the managing director of Bangladesh Climate Change Trust.
The petitioner鈥檚 counsel, Abdullah Al Noman, argued that the IEPMP heavily relies on fossil fuels such as coal and gas, undermining commitments to the Paris Agreement and the Climate Vulnerable Forum Vision, which advocates for a 1.5掳C global temperature cap and long-term climate resilience.
Noman argued that the IEPMP violated Sections 6A and 6C of the Environment Conservation Act, 1995, which prohibit activities harmful to the environment.
He argued that IEPMP contradicted Article 18A of the Constitution, which obligates the state to safeguard natural resources, biodiversity, and ecosystems for future generations.
Noman further argued that coal-fired power plants, a significant component of the IEPMP, emit harmful pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.
He said that these pollutants exacerbate respiratory diseases such as asthma and lung cancer.
Fossil fuel emission is a leading driver of climate change, contributing to rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and increased flood risks that disproportionately affect Bangladesh.
Noman argued that the IEPMP relies on unproven technologies, such as hydrogen and ammonia co-firing, raising concerns about economic viability and scalability.
Despite promoting renewable energy, the plan still projects that 30.7 per cent of energy in 2050 will come from fossil fuels like coal and LNG, while advanced technologies like liquid hydrogen and ammonia will contribute 32.8 per cent, he argued.
He also argued that the IEPMP, prepared with assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, starkly contrasts with the MCPP, which envisions 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050.
Noman said that JICA has also funded several fossil fuel-based energy projects in Bangladesh, further complicating the nation鈥檚 climate commitments.