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Bangladesh’s first green energy olympiad launches, spotlighting youth and climate leadership
In a bold call for transformation, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, pointed to the staggering drop in foreign loans for Bangladesh’s power sector—from $3.2 billion to $800 million in just seven months—as a clear sign that change is not only possible but already underway.
She made the remarks during the launch of the nation’s first Green Energy Olympiad 2025, where youth, climate leadership, and a shift toward renewable energy took center stage.
The final round of Bangladesh’s first-ever Green Energy Olympiad 2025 officially kicked off on Saturday at the Bangladesh Military Museum, signaling a powerful move toward engaging youth in the fight against climate change.
The two-day national event, jointly organised by the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED) and the Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), has brought together nearly 4,900 students from 150 colleges and universities across the country. With a sharp focus on renewable energy, climate change awareness, and youth-led innovation, the Olympiad is being hailed as a transformative platform for the country’s future climate leaders.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, delivered a bold message. Highlighting the recent plunge in foreign loans for the power sector—from $3.2 billion to $800 million in just seven months—she questioned the current priorities of the energy industry, stating, “Isn’t that a sign of change?”
She called for deeper youth involvement in policymaking, stressing that, “A sustainable and progressive Bangladesh cannot be built without the active participation of young minds and civil society.” Rizwana sharply criticized the fossil fuel lobby, accusing it of working to sustain, rather than solve, the environmental crisis. “Change is possible,” she asserted, “if we have the political will.”
Nur Ahmed, Additional Secretary of the Power Division, also addressed the gathering, urging institutional and individual capacity building. “Effective resource prioritization and operational continuity are the cornerstones of sectoral success,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hasan Mehedi, Chief Executive of CLEAN, emphasized the deeper goals of energy justice and sustainability. “The future of our energy sector is not just about megawatts,” he said. “It’s about fairness, environmental integrity, and safeguarding future generations.”
The Olympiad, held in six rigorous stages, assesses participants on knowledge, logical analysis, and presentation. More than just a competition, GEO 2025 has become a national stage for youth to voice their visions for a cleaner, fairer energy future.
The event marks a watershed moment in Bangladesh’s climate movement, underscoring the rising momentum for homegrown, sustainable solutions and a shift away from foreign fossil fuel dependency—powered by the voices of its youth.
