Of all countries around the world, Bangladesh risks being the most profoundly affected by the consequences of adverse climate change – with millions of its poorest citizens facing displacement should sea waters rise by just one metre over the next forty years. The government claims to be entitled to at least 15% of the US$ 10 billion in funds, supposedly pledged at last December’s Copenhagen summit. But its main strategy appears to be the construction of cyclone shelters, rather than adopting any pre-emptive measures. While Bangladesh’s direct contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is miniscule compared with that of some of its near neighbours (China, India, Indonesia), prime minister Sheikh Hasina was quoted earlier this month as being positive towards revival of the long-delayed Phulbari coal mine, currently in the hands of UK’s GCM Resources (Asia Energy). If this open-pit project proceeds, it would become the nation’s single biggest emitter of greenhouse gas and particulate emissions. The prospect of capturing the coal deposit’s methane emissions – and putting them to the service of “clean energy” output – has so far been completely ignored by the government and most (though not all) of its advisors.
See: http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=9912.