ILO hails Bangladesh’s NDC 3.0 as bold step for climate justice

Bangladesh's climate action pledges, outlined in the third Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) under the Paris Agreement, have set a global precedent by embedding just transition principles at the heart of the country's national climate strategy, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said yesterday.

"Submitted to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on 30 September, Bangladesh's climate strategy for the first time incorporates just transition to ensure that the shift to environmentally sustainable and low-carbon economies is job-rich, gender-responsive, and inclusive -- leaving no one behind," the ILO said in a statement.

This approach emphasises maximising the social and economic opportunities of climate and environmental action—such as green jobs—while minimising and carefully managing any arising challenges through effective social dialogue and stakeholder engagement.

"This is a historic, bold step by Bangladesh, making it the first country in Asia to include a dedicated 'Just Transition' chapter in its climate pledge. This underscores the government's commitment to advancing social justice and climate action hand in hand," said Max Tunon, country director designate of the ILO Office in Bangladesh.

"With workers and employers participating in the development of NDC 3.0, they have clearly made the connection between climate ambition on the one hand, and jobs, skills, enterprise resilience, and worker protections on the other," Tunon added.

"The result is a stronger and more balanced NDC that reflects not only environmental ambition, but also the realities of enterprises striving for sustainability—and the needs of people, particularly workers, most affected by climate change."

The ILO said it stands ready to support the government of Bangladesh in developing the NDC's just transition implementation plan, with full input from workers and employers.

The UN body also backs the establishment of a tripartite task force on just transition to monitor progress, steer the development of the national policy framework, and ensure that NDC 3.0 truly delivers for both people and the planet.