The energy crisis is hitting Bangladesh’s 177 million people hard, but experts have been urging to end dependence on imported coal and gas in favour of reliable renewables. The Strait of Hormuz is all anyone is talking about and safe passage of energy tankers is at...
bangladesh
Is Japan a friend in need or a friend indeed for Bangladesh?Â
By Munira Chowdhury, Asia Energy Analyst, Market Forces, a clean energy finance advocacy organisation working across Asia. Munira is an author on Bangladesh energy affairs and a former policy researcher in Bangladesh. Six months since Bangladesh was born anew, the...
Behind Bangladesh’s carbon catastrophe
OPINION | Munira Chowdhury, Acting Research Coordinator When I mention Bangladesh, people think of a country prone to devastating floods and cyclones. It’s true. Right now, millions of Bangladeshis are stranded without safe drinking water and food after the worst...
Cancellation of Bangladesh coal fired power project must be first step to decarbonise
MEDIA RELEASE: 23 June 2022 - for immediate release In a major victory for climate action, Japan has announced an end to funding of two major coal power projects, Indramayu in Indonesia and Matarbari 2 in Bangladesh. Following the announcement, the Bangladesh...
Japan threatens communities and climate by backing Indramayu and Matarbari coal power projects
UPDATE: June 2022 On 22 June 2022, in a major victory for climate action and years of opposition by a global movement, Japan announced an end to funding of Matarbari Phase 2 coal power plant in Bangladesh. Following the announcement, the Bangladesh Government...
Matarbari coal power plants: Sumitomo, Japanese companies threaten communities and climate in Bangladesh
UPDATE: June 2022 On 22 June 2022, in a major victory for climate action and years of opposition by a global movement, Japan announced an end to funding of Matarbari Phase 2 coal power plant in Bangladesh. Following the announcement, the Bangladesh Government...
Op-ed: HSBC lags as finance cleans up Asian energy
HSBC lags as finance cleans up on Asian energy Op-ed by Munira Chowdhury, Analyst, Market Forces Published in Asia Times, 22 January 2020 Last week marked a significant milestone in the financial sector’s ever-increasing rejection of coal, as the world’s largest fund...
Choked by Coal: the Carbon Catastrophe in Bangladesh
Choked by Coal: the Carbon Catastrophe in Bangladesh New analysis shows China, UK and Japan driving 63-fold coal power expansion in Bangladesh Media Release: 6 November 2019 Massive coal-based power expansion in Bangladesh is set to propel it into the ranks of the...
HSBC bosses spin yet more climate rhetoric on coal finance for developing countries
A full-page ad in the UK’s biggest business newspaper, a protest and plenty of deservedly tough questions. HSBC’s AGM had it all. 15 April 2019 Last Friday marked HSBC’s 2019 annual general meeting (AGM) and a year since the bank shamefully decided to leave the door...
HSBC’s cynical coal policy leaves Bangladesh, Vietnam and Indonesia open for business
Håkan Dahlström, CC BY 2.0 HSBC’s coal power policy, released at its April 2018 AGM, boldly states it will not finance new coal-fired power plants, with some exceptions. It will still finance projects in Bangladesh, Vietnam and Indonesia, with further limits on the...