Bangladesh plans to review and potentially revise its national climate policies ahead of the upcoming COP31 conference, according to a statement by the state minister responsible for the country’s environmental and climate affairs. The ministry will evaluate the demands set forth in the Bangladesh Workers’ Charter, a document presented by the National Alliance for Just Transition Bangladesh (NAJTB) in cooperation with the Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) and the Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF).

The charter includes 23 specific demands organized across eight negotiation tracks. It emphasizes key issues such as extreme heat, climate-induced displacement, industrial decarbonization, and the protection of workers’ rights amid the transition to a greener economy. The state minister indicated that the government intends to incorporate relevant elements of this charter into both its updated national climate agenda and its official negotiating stance for COP31.

Domestically, Bangladesh is advancing several climate-related initiatives, including efforts to increase renewable energy capacity, expand tree plantation programs, control pollution levels, and improve waste management systems. The government is also planning to bolster solar power generation as part of its broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions and enhance sustainable development.

COP31, the 31st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is scheduled to bring together countries worldwide to negotiate climate action and commitments. Bangladesh’s engagement in the preparatory process reflects the country’s growing focus on aligning its national policies with international climate objectives, while addressing the socio-economic impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations and the labor force.