A Nationwide Call for a Clean, Just, and Sustainable Energy Future
A month-long campaign titled “Renewables Now” (নবায়নযোগ্য জ্বালানি, এখনই!) has officially launched in Bangladesh, calling for accelerated action on renewable energy, stronger energy security, and reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels. The campaign aims to strengthen public awareness, encourage collective action, and promote a clean, affordable, and inclusive energy transition that places people and communities at its centre.
The campaign was inaugurated at the CIRDAP International Conference Centre in Dhaka, bringing together 37 civil society and social organisations under the leadership of Dharitri Rokkhay Amra and Waterkeepers Bangladesh. The initiative reflects a collective commitment to advancing renewable energy and highlighting the environmental, economic, and social importance of transforming Bangladesh’s energy system.
Launching a Collective Movement for Renewable Energy
The launch brought together representatives of civil society, environmental organisations, youth networks, and other stakeholders to strengthen the call for a more sustainable energy future. Through public engagement and collective advocacy, the campaign seeks to bring renewable energy into broader discussions about national energy security, affordability, environmental protection, and climate action.
Reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and expanding access to clean energy are important considerations in building a more resilient energy system. The campaign calls for greater attention to renewable energy solutions that can serve communities, support sustainable development, and contribute to a fairer transition.
Coastal Walk Marks the Beginning of the Campaign Journey
The inaugural programme also marked the official beginning of the campaign’s Coastal Walk. During the launch, the campaign banner was formally handed over to Masfikul Hasan Tony, Executive Director of Bengal Peace Foundation, the organisation implementing the coastal journey.
The Coastal Walk forms part of the campaign’s broader public engagement efforts, bringing its message beyond the capital and creating opportunities to connect with communities in climate-vulnerable coastal areas. Through this journey, the campaign seeks to draw attention to the importance of sustainable energy, environmental protection, and the perspectives of communities directly affected by climate change.
YOUCAN Reaffirms Its Commitment to Youth-Led Climate Action
Representing Young Climate Action Network (YOUCAN), Executive Director Yudhishtir Chandra Biswas participated in the inaugural programme and delivered a solidarity speech. He reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that young people, frontline communities, and climate-vulnerable regions are meaningfully included in Bangladesh’s energy transition.
Youth participation is essential to building public awareness, strengthening climate advocacy, and ensuring that the priorities of future generations are reflected in energy-related decisions. YOUCAN’s participation reflects its continued engagement in promoting climate justice, environmental sustainability, and inclusive approaches to climate action.
A Month of Public Engagement and Collective Action
Over the coming month, the campaign will engage citizens and communities through a series of activities designed to expand public participation and strengthen awareness of renewable energy. Planned activities include awareness programmes, cycling and boat rallies, road processions, the Coastal Walk, cultural programmes, and national dialogues.
These activities will provide opportunities for communities, civil society organisations, and young people to exchange ideas, raise awareness, and advocate for a more sustainable and equitable energy system. By combining public mobilisation with dialogue and advocacy, the campaign aims to keep renewable energy and energy justice at the centre of the national conversation.
Advancing a Just and People-Centred Energy Transition
The transition to renewable energy is not only an environmental priority; it is also closely connected to energy affordability, national energy security, economic resilience, and social equity. A just transition requires attention to who can access clean energy, whether it is affordable, and how the benefits and challenges of energy-system changes affect different communities.
For Bangladesh, advancing renewable energy must go hand in hand with meaningful public participation and consideration of the needs of climate-vulnerable populations. Young people, coastal communities, and other frontline groups must have opportunities to contribute to decisions that shape the country’s energy future.
Through the “Renewables Now” campaign, participating organisations are calling for stronger commitment to renewable energy, wider public engagement, and an energy transition that is clean, accessible, affordable, and fair.
Young Climate Action Network (YOUCAN) stands in solidarity with this collective call for change, advocating for a sustainable energy future that puts people, climate justice, and environmental responsibility first.
The Time for Change Is Now
The message of “Renewables Now” (নবায়নযোগ্য জ্বালানি, এখনই!) is clear: Bangladesh needs an energy future that prioritises renewable sources, strengthens energy security, and leaves no community behind.
Together, we can move Bangladesh towards a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable renewable energy future.
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