International Conference in Dhaka calls for raising awareness on energy efficiency and conservation
A two-day International Conference on Energy Efficiency and Conservation Awareness (ICEECA 2019) was organised in Dhaka during 11-12th November 2019. The conference was organised by the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA), in collaboration with Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Programme (REEEP II).
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit(GIZ) GmbH is implementing REEEP II in collaboration with SREDA on behalf of the Bangladesh Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources (MPEMR) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The GIZ internal sector network TUEWAS (Transport, Environment, Energy and Water in Asia) is also a partner of the conference.
With a record 8.1% GDP growth in last fiscal year, Bangladesh is already the fastest growing economy in the Asia Pacific region. Increased economic growth demands increased energy, and this demand is expected to surge further to attain Bangladesh’s ambition of becoming a developed economy by 2041. To ensure that this goal is achieved sustainably, the time is ripe to give due emphasis on energy efficiency and conservation. Recognising this, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Master Plan up to 2030 outlines Bangladesh’s target to achieve 20% reduction of primary energy consumption per GDP by 2030, compared to 2013 level. A robust policy, appropriate strategies, awareness, capacity of stakeholders and well-functioning institutional framework are preconditions for achieving these goals.
Against this backdrop, ICEECA 2019 brought together experts, policy makers, civil society representatives and the private sector from South and South-east Asia to share their experiences on the theme of the conference – “awareness is key for an energy conscious society”. The conference aimed to draw lessons from regional success stories, suitable approaches and policy instruments in raising awareness and addressing behavioural and social aspects of adopting energy efficiency measures and ensure their energy-saving performance. Over four thematic sessions, the conference focused on the role of fast evolving Internet of Things (IOTs) and digitization in promotion of energy efficiency and conservation, explore the successful industrial energy efficiency landscape from technical, regulatory, financial and implementation aspects and discuss the role of private sector in catalysing market development of energy efficient appliances.
The conference was officially be inaugurated by Mr. NasrulHamid MP, Honourable State Minister, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources. Dr. Ahmad Kaikaus, Senior Secretary, Power Division, MPEMR, Mr. Burkhard Ducoffre, Chargé d’Affaire, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and Mr. Nawa Raj Dhakal, Director, Alternative Energy Promotion Centre, Nepal were present as special guests.
The closing ceremony took place on 12th of November. Mr. Md. Shahiduzzaman Sarker MP Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Dr. Angelika Fleddermann, Country Director, GIZ Bangladesh, Dr. A.K.M. Rafique Ahammed, Director General, Department of Environment, Government of Bangladesh and Mr. Abu Hena Md. Rahmatul Muneem, Senior Secretary, Energy and Mineral Resources Division, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Government of Bangladesh, were present as Special Guests.
The Conference is expected to serve as a forum for dialogue among relevant stakeholders and an effective platform for national and international policy discussions to structure and adopt a holistic approach for confronting the issues at the interface of climate change mitigation through knowledge building. The sharing of key ingredients of effective policy, strategy andinstitutionalisation along with success factors for its implementation would be beneficial for Bangladesh to fulfil the government’s goals on energy efficiency and conservation.