Faster adoption of renewable energy and greater opportunities for young people in green entrepreneurship are key to tackling the impacts of climate change, speakers said at a conference at Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Saturday.

The day-long “Pre-COP31 Conference on Renewable Energy and Green Entrepreneurship” was jointly organised by DSCC, Mission Green Bangladesh, Environmental and River Protection Development Foundation (ERPDF Bangladesh), Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) and Dream Research and Development Foundation (DRDF).

DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam attended the conference as chief guest, while ERPDF Bangladesh Chairman HM Sumon chaired the event.

Abdus Salam reaffirmed DSCC’s commitment to environment-friendly urban management and said, “We are committed to providing all possible policy support to implement the innovative ideas of young entrepreneurs for expanding renewable energy and building a sustainable future.”

HM Sumon stressed the need for greater youth participation in climate policymaking and said, “They must be directly involved in implementation at the grassroots level.” He also called the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy an urgent necessity.

More than 200 young entrepreneurs, environmental activists, development workers, policymakers, researchers and professionals attended the conference.

Other speakers called for stronger policy support, greater access to finance, scientific research, technology and institutional cooperation to expand renewable energy and green businesses in Bangladesh.