Lifecycle Carbon Must Be Considered

Environmentalists, researchers, urban planners and other experts have called for stronger youth participation in addressing Dhaka’s growing environmental and climate challenges, stressing that young people must move beyond awareness and translate knowledge into practical action and locally driven solutions.

At a seminar in Dhaka, speakers highlighted the importance of low-carbon infrastructure, particularly in road and bridge development, with carbon emissions considered across the entire lifecycle of infrastructure. They also stressed the need to address weak urban waste management, declining groundwater levels, rainwater conservation, protection of water bodies and green spaces, and wider adoption of nature-based solutions.

The speakers made the observations at a seminar titled “Resilient Dhaka: Youth-Led Climate Action Initiative”, organised by the Institute of Climate Change, Environment and Sustainability (ICCES) of North South University, in collaboration with the university’s Earth Club and Department of Environmental Science and Management, on Sunday (August 16).

The programme began with a panel discussion titled “From Awareness to Action: Empowering Youth for Urban Climate Response”, chaired by ICCES Chairman Engineer Sheikh Tajul Islam Tuhin.

Representatives from academia, professional organisations, government institutions and youth-focused social initiatives took part in the discussion.

Experts said urban infrastructure should not be assessed solely on the basis of construction costs or immediate operational benefits. The planning, construction, operation, maintenance and eventual reuse or decommissioning of roads, bridges and buildings can all generate carbon emissions and therefore need to be considered as part of a complete lifecycle assessment.

They stressed the importance of expanding low-carbon and green infrastructure while strengthening environmental considerations in urban development planning.

For a rapidly expanding city such as Dhaka, the speakers said, development planning must recognise the role of wetlands, parks, open spaces and urban greenery. Nature-based solutions should not be treated merely as conservation measures; they can also function as practical tools for reducing urban flooding, heat stress, water insecurity and climate risks.

The relationship between Dhaka’s geology, groundwater and growing environmental pressure was also discussed.

Speakers stressed that excessive dependence on groundwater could create long-term risks to urban water security. Urban development should therefore incorporate groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting and more sustainable water-use practices.

They noted that building designs, roads and other infrastructure should, where appropriate, create opportunities for rainwater infiltration and recharge.

According to the experts, rainwater management is not only a response to water scarcity. It can also contribute to reducing urban waterlogging, replenishing groundwater and strengthening climate adaptation.

Weak urban waste management remains one of Dhaka’s major environmental challenges. Speakers called for greater youth engagement in identifying local problems, collecting information, raising awareness and developing technology-enabled solutions.

They emphasised that academic knowledge must be connected with practical environmental activities. A “learning by doing” approach, they said, could help bridge the gap between classroom education and real-world environmental action.

The seminar also examined climate finance, adaptation and the role of government institutions in building climate-resilient development.

Speakers called for stronger adaptation-focused investment and better alignment of climate-related projects and budgets with national priorities and relevant financing mechanisms.

They also emphasised the importance of preparing young professionals with practical knowledge of climate finance, public budgeting and existing funding mechanisms for climate action.

Experts noted that access to climate finance alone is not enough. Strong project design, implementation capacity, monitoring, evaluation and accountability are also essential to ensure that climate investments deliver measurable environmental outcomes.

The discussion emphasised moving from environmental awareness towards practical, youth-led action.

Speakers highlighted the need for better urban planning and management as Dhaka continues to expand, while future urban areas must be developed with greater attention to environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

They encouraged young people to identify local environmental problems and participate in developing realistic solutions, particularly in green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, rainwater conservation and groundwater management.

The panel included Professor Dr. Dipak Kumar Mitra, Dean of the School of Health and Life Sciences at North South University; Professor Dr. Mohammad Suzauddin, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Environmental Science and Management; A K M Sohel, Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division; Dr. Anwar Zahid, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Water Modelling; Dr. Adil Mohammad Khan, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at Jahangirnagar University and former President of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners; Md. Hafizur Rahman, PhD, Professor and Head of the Department of Environmental Science and Management at Independent University, Bangladesh; Shah Rafayat Chowdhury, Co-founder and President of Footsteps Bangladesh; Rafid Mahmud Khan, Lecturer at North South University; and Shah Md. Ashik Ullah, PhD, Associate Professor at North South University.

The speakers said young people should not be viewed merely as future stakeholders in climate action. They should be actively involved today in environmental decision-making, research, innovation and implementation.

During the closing session, representatives of the organising institutions thanked the panellists, participants and others involved in the programme.

Certificates were awarded to the top 10 participants in the environment-focused article competition, while the top three received prize money and crests.

The closing session also highlighted the importance of transforming youth-led innovation and environmental awareness into practical climate action.

The central message emerging from the seminar was clear: building a climate-resilient Dhaka will require more than infrastructure and government policy. It will require the knowledge, research, innovation and practical leadership of young people.

A more resilient and sustainable urban system can be developed by integrating lifecycle carbon assessment, nature-based solutions, sustainable water management and climate finance into urban decision-making.

//DBTech/SIBIJ/MIS//