Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Sheikh Hasina urges major polluters to fulfil climate obligations

Sheikh Hasina urges major polluters to fulfil climate obligations

BANGLADESH prime minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon major emitting countries to fulfil their obligations to support vulnerable nations in their efforts to cope with the effects of climate change.

Addressing the Commonwealth and Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) leaders at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow on Monday (1), Hasina urged the international community to recognise “our vulnerability and necessity for adequate climate finance and technology transfer”.


The CVF is a partnership of 48 of the world’s most climatically-vulnerable countries that represent 1.2 billion people, but contribute only five per cent of total global emissions.

A third of the CVF countries are from the Commonwealth.

Hasina stressed the importance of the transfer of clean and green technology to developing countries at affordable costs, including for meeting energy requirements.

“At the same time, the development needs of the CVF and the Commonwealth members will have to be taken into account”, the prime minister said.

The world needs to step up knowledge sharing, research and capacity building and technology transfer for achieving sustainable, green and nature-based solutions, she added.

A common position of the CVF and Commonwealth members can help secure the annual $100 billion for climate financing by the developed countries as promised in the Paris Agreement, Hasina said, adding that climate financing has to be in addition to the existing and future official development assistance.

The issue of climate migrants - people displaced from their ancestral homes and traditional jobs because of the adverse effects of climate change including sea-level rise, increasing salinity, river erosion, floods and droughts - needs to be discussed, and there has to be global responsibility for their rehabilitation, she said.

Hasina highlighted how Bangladesh, often referred to as the ground zero for adverse impacts of climate change, has adopted “exemplary initiatives” to tackle the situation despite its “vulnerabilities and resource constraints”.

“We submitted an ambitious and updated NDC (Nationally Determined Contributions) to the UNFCCC. We have launched the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan to transform our climate vulnerability into climate prosperity by following a low-carbon development path”.

Commonwealth secretary-general Patricia Scotland also called for developed countries to honour the decade-long pledge to make $100 billion available each year to fight climate change in developing countries.

She described the funding as a “fundamental issue of trust.”

“Promises should be kept… Commonwealth diplomacy is about taking our collective determination – and the experiences that leaders, ministers and citizens from across the Commonwealth share with us – into the heart of global climate negotiations,” Scotland said.

More For You

Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
  • Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
  • Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
  • Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
  • UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less
Navroop Singh

Navroop Singh was convicted of five charges including rape and was sentenced on July 4 at Isleworth Crown Court. (Photo credit: Metropolitan Police)

Man jailed for life over rape and attempted rape in west London

A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for rape, attempted rape and firearm offences following a Metropolitan Police investigation in west London.

Navroop Singh, of Mellow Lane East, Hayes, was convicted of five charges including rape and was sentenced on Friday, July 4 at Isleworth Crown Court. He must serve a minimum of 14 years.

Keep ReadingShow less