Children at the heart of Bangladesh’s new climate commitment

Unicef has praised Bangladesh's interim government for placing children and youth at the core of the nation's third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), describing it as a "visionary step" under the Paris Agreement.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), working with multiple stakeholders, has launched the updated climate plan that not only targets emission cuts but also prioritizes adaptation, resilience, and the safeguarding of children's rights.

According to Unicef, the move signals a "transformative shift" in climate policy, positioning young people as drivers of change.

"NDC 3.0 is more than just a strategy for emission reduction, it is a promise to build an inclusive and just future," said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to MoEFCC. She underscored the need for active participation from women, children, persons with disabilities, elderly citizens, ethnic minorities, and climate migrants.

She further stressed that climate action must be rooted in rights, ensuring that "no one is left behind."

The plan highlights that children and young people bear the brunt of climate change, with disruptions to schooling, healthcare, nutrition, safe water, and essential protection services.

To counter this, NDC 3.0 introduces child-focused targets to guarantee that schools stay open, healthcare services function, and safe water remains available even during natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, landslides, salinity intrusion, and heatwaves.

Unicef described this approach as a "turning point," adding that those most vulnerable must not only be protected but also meaningfully involved in shaping climate solutions.

Bangladesh's NDC integrates youth directly into its Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) mechanism. The plan also seeks to strengthen child protection systems against climate-induced vulnerabilities, including child marriage and child labour, while establishing grievance and redress mechanisms to advance climate justice.