The problem

Bangladesh’s carbon bomb

Companies like Mitsubishi Corporation, JERA, JICA and GE Vernova are about to release a carbon bomb in Chattogram that the world and Bangladesh can’t afford, threatening climate, local ecosystems and communities.

Harm to climate

The projects, if built, would release 1.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Avoidable deaths

Every year Bangladesh experiences 73,000 avoidable deaths related to health impacts from air pollution from burning fossil fuels

Significant cost

By 2041, Bangladesh’s annual LNG import cost would be an estimated US$7-11 billion.

The proposed LNG power projects would cost US$36 billion, and the proposed LNG import facilities would cost an estimated US$14 billion.

The cost required to realise Bangladesh’s LNG power plans could instead fund 62 GW of new clean, renewable power, enough to replace most of the country’s existing gas power fleet or replace its coal power capacity four times over.

What is at stake

Chattogram is home to beautiful beaches and Bangladesh’s last rainforest. This area, and the communities that live and raise families there are under threat from the fossil fuel buildout. Bangladesh has the potential to meet its new energy needs with renewable sources like wind and solar. Moreover, these sources do not require expensive and environmentally destructive fuel imports.

Threat to biodiversity

Chattogram is home to at least 26 globally threatened species that live in the hill tracts including the great Asian Elephant, Clouded Leopard and Chinese pangolin, among others.

Chattogram

Beautiful beaches

Cox’s Bazar is one of the world’s longest natural beaches and a favourite tourist destination for the people of Bangladesh. Stretching across 100 kilometres, the blue waters, golden sandy beaches, and tropical weather of Cox’s Bazar attracts 10,000,000 tourists every year.

Help keep fossil fuels out of Chattogram (and the rest of Bangladesh)!

Send a message to GE Vernova, Mitsubishi Corporation, JERA, JICA and other companies urging them to stop building fossil fuel infrastructure, to protect tShe livelihoods and health of local communities and our climate, and preserve this region, its beautiful beaches and wildlife.

“I used to earn my livelihood through fishing. Now I can’t do it anymore since the coal power plant’s construction began.”

– Nazimuddin, fisherfolk of Kohelia River, Matarbari, Bangladesh

“I’ve learned that after the coal power plant is built, it will emit toxic gases and harm our salt and betel leaf farms.”

– Mohammad Mizan, Saltworker, Maheshkali, Bangladesh

“My house has collapsed due to sand removal for the construction of the Matabari coal power project.”

– Saleha Begum, Matarbari, Bangladesh

Matarbari 1: Destroying community and environment

The Matarbari 1 project has already resulted in damage to local waterways while people have been displaced and lost their livelihoods as a result of construction. 

 

The Matarbari 1 coal plant construction shows what local communities can expect if Bangladesh’s LNG power expansion materialises.

US$6B

Matarbari 1 is one of Asia’s most expensive coal power plants, and it has left a lasting mark on the local community and environment.

2000

Number of fisherfolk who lost livelihoods as a result of the construction and filling in the Kohelia River.

In June 2022, Japan announced it won’t fund Matarbari 2. The Bangladesh Government officially cancelled Matarbari 2, announcing plans to build an LNG to power project instead.

Expensive LNG Expansion: How foreign gas interests are a climate disaster for Bangladesh

Bangladesh is facing an energy crisis, having suffered repeated blackouts caused by an increasing over-reliance on expensive and polluting fossil gas imports.

Rather than decreasing dependence on volatile international fossil fuel markets, and prioritising clean domestic renewable energy, Bangladesh is being pushed by foreign interests to double down on liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Bangladesh can choose a pathway with clean, green, renewable energy that will protect the environment and allow people to enjoy cheap, affordable electricity.