Energy / Energy sector development and institutional reform

Following the unveiling of the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP) at the United Kingdom, Bangladesh Climate Change Conference held in London on 10 September 2008, the Government of Bangladesh requested that the ADB provide technical assistance (TA) to build capacity in relevant government agencies in order to implement this plan, which is aimed at strengthening the country's capacity to cope with the impacts of climate change. The Fact-Finding Mission to formulate the cluster-capacity development TA was fielded in October 2008. The mission met with the Government, development partners, civil society and beneficiaries, and reached preliminary agreements on the TA's objectives, scope, costs, implementation arrangements, and terms of reference.

The main objective of the TA, in general, is to enhance national capacity of GOB to better handle the entire gamut of activities on climate change that is considered to be the most striking issue towards climate resilient development and for a low carbon growth. In particular, it will directly help in augmenting the capacity of MoEF, relevant ministries and line agencies. The TA's outcome is enhanced capacity of the MoEF and other relevant ministries and line agencies for project preparation, implementation, and policy formulation in relation to BCCSAP.

More lucidly, there are several direct outputs of the project at the end of 2 year period, viz.

(i) the national advisory committee is in place to oversee TA implementation;

(ii) guideline with respect to country's project formulation has been prepared in agriculture, biodiversity, water, disaster management and energy sectors;

(iii) proposal prepared by line agencies in the area of climate change adaptation and mitigation;

(iv) proposals for public-private partners prepared on Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM);

(v) Improved knowledge management through information dissemination both at home and abroad in respect of BCCSAP implementation; and

(vi) capacity development action plan on climate change are in place for BCCSAP implementation.

During the 8-month of cluster-1 phase, 2 major achievements are expected encompassing the above 6 outcomes and they are:

(i) capacity development action plan on climate change and prioritization of climate change program for implementation of BCCSAP is in place; and

(ii) overall institutional strengthening and capacity building has been done for relevant ministry and line agencies

1. National steering and advisory committees to oversee TA implementation

2. Guidelines for country's prioritized project formulation in four sectors in line with the BCCSAP

3. Proposals prepared by line agencies for climate change adaptation and mitigation projects derived from BCCSAP

4. Proposals for public private partnerships prepared by the line agencies for a CDM

5. Improved knowledge management through information dissemination programs both in Bangladesh and abroad related to implementation of the BCCSAP

6. Capacity development strategy and plan for implementing the BCCSAP, resulting in actions related to capacity development

1. National steering and advisory committees is placed to oversee TA implementation;

2. Identified capacity of the Ministry of Environment and Forests and other relevant ministry and line agencies and drafted a capacity development action plan for implementing the BCCSAP;

3. Prioritized country specific climate change projects in prioritize sectors (e.g. agriculture, water resource, disaster management, energy, etc.) for preparation of DPP for immediate and short term implementation;

4. Drafted strategic energy plans and investment portfolios to ensure national energy security and lower greenhouse gas emissions;

5. Short-listed three small research proposals for conducting research/study in prioritized areas of climate adaptation and mitigation which will fill current knowledge gaps on country specific climate change issues;

All national consultants (Team Leader/Institutional Development Specialist, Agricultural Specialist, NRM Specialist, Adaptation & Mitigation Specialist) was individually recruited;

All international consultants were recruited through firm. Three international consultants (Climate policy specialist, climate change specialist and mitigation specialist) were provided by Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies and one international consultant (environmental economist) was provided by Practical Action Consulting service UK.