Air pollution costs Bangladesh up to 4.4% of its GDP in 2019: World Bank
Bangladesh's economic losses from air pollution are estimated between 3.9% and 4.4% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019, said a World Bank report on Sunday. Air pollution was the second largest risk factor leading to deaths and disability in Bangladesh in 2019, causing about 78,145 to 88,229 deaths and between 1 to 1.1 billion days with illness. The report states that exposure to high levels of air pollution significantly raises the risks of breathing difficulties, cough, lower respiratory tract infections, as well as depression and other health conditions. Children under five years, the elderly, and people with comorbidities such as diabetes, and heart or respiratory conditions, are most vulnerable. The report "Breathing Heavy: New Evidence on Air Pollution and Health in Bangladesh" assessed the impacts of outdoor air pollution on physical and mental health in Dhaka and Sylhet. The report finds that the sites with major construction and persistent traffic in Dhaka have the highest level of air pollution. At these locations, the fine particulate matter (PM), which is considered most hazardous to health, is on average equivalent to smoking about 1.7 cigarettes per day or 150% above the WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQG), The second highest concentration of PM levels is found near brick kilns in Dhaka, which is 138% above the WHO AOG equivalent to smoking 1.5 cigarettes per day.
India targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, says Modi
India’s economy will become carbon neutral by the year 2070, the country’s prime minster has announced at the COP26 climate crisis summit in Glasgow. The target date is two decades beyond what scientists say is needed to avert catastrophic climate impacts. India is the last of the world’s major carbon polluters to announce a net-zero target, with China saying it would reach that goal in 2060, and the United States and the European Union aiming for 2050.
COP26: What climate summit means for one woman in Bangladesh
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Why China's climate policy matters to us all
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Deliver on promises, developing world tells rich at climate talks
A crucial U.N. conference heard calls on its first day for the world's major economies to keep their promises of financial help to address the climate crisis, while big polluters India and Brazil made new commitments to cut emissions. World leaders, environmental experts and activists all pleaded for decisive action to halt the global warming which threatens the future of the planet at the start of the two-week COP26 summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Monday. The task facing negotiators was made even more daunting by the failure of the Group of 20 major industrial nations to agree ambitious new commitments at the weekend.