Dhaka, Nov. 19 -- A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has issued a 12-point Citizens' Manifesto calling for a fair and sustainable energy transition in the lead-up to the 2026 national elections. The document urges political parties to commit to phasing out fossil fuel reliance, strengthening national energy sovereignty, and safeguarding vulnerable communities.

The manifesto was launched on 18 November at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity by the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED), with support from BELA, BILS, CLEAN, ETI Bangladesh, LEED, Manusher Jonno Foundation, and ReGlobal.

Speakers at the event warned of the mounting economic and environmental costs of Bangladesh's fossil-fuel-heavy energy system. B...