Policymakers, researchers, and experts have stressed the need for the immediate adoption of renewable energy and the implementation of sustainable urban planning to secure a prosperous future for Bangladesh.

They made the call at a policy dialogue on "Green Transitions for a Prosperous Bangladesh", held at Hotel Bengal Blueberry in Dhaka today.

Organised by the Policy Exchange Bangladesh and supported by the International Growth Centre, the event brought together distinguished analysts who shed light on critical environmental challenges, ranging from hazardous lead pollution to the mounting issue of plastic waste.

At the event, Moogdho Mahzab, associate research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute, warned of the health risks stemming from lead seepage due to the increased local recycling of lead-acid batteries.

With China tightening environmental regulations and Bangladesh imposing higher import tariffs, domestic recycling has surged, leading to alarming pollution levels, he said.

Meanwhile, Atonu Rabbani, professor of economics at Dhaka University, highlighted the high cost of renewable energy technology as the primary obstacle to its adoption in Bangladesh's booming garment sector.

Factory owners are hesitant to invest in solar and other green energy solutions despite their long-term benefits, he noted.

Munshi Sulaiman, research director of BRAC Institute of Governance and Development, recommended incentive-based approaches to encourage households to sort waste at the source.

Jalal Ahmed, chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission, underscored the need for a proactive approach to tackling environmental challenges while advancing the country's energy ambitions.

Other panel members at the event, including Towfiqul Islam Khan, research director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue; Ahsan Habib, project coordinator of the NGO Forum Bangladesh; and Md Kamruzzaman, special correspondent of News24, echoed the need for urgent policy reforms and green investments.

With Bangladesh standing at a crossroads between economic growth and environmental sustainability, experts emphasised that bold actions and policy shifts are needed now more than ever.