Call for Stronger Air Pollution Monitoring and Coordinated Action to Advance Renewable Energy
Dhaka, 10 October 2026: Environmental and energy experts have called for stronger measures to control air pollution, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and increase the use of renewable energy to improve air quality. They made the call at a discussion titled “Renewable Energy Now to Combat Air Pollution,” held on Saturday morning at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) as part of the special campaign Renewables Now.
The event was jointly organized by Dhoritri Rokkhay Amra (DHORA), Stamford University Bangladesh, and 35 other civic and social organizations, bringing the total number of participating organizations to 37. The session was chaired by Dr. Mosa. Mahmuda Parvin, Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Environmental Science at Stamford University Bangladesh. The discussion was moderated by Professor Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Director of the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) at Stamford University Bangladesh, who also presented the keynote paper.
Professor Dr. Sharif Nafe As-Saber, Vice-Chancellor of Stamford University Bangladesh, attended the event as the Chief Guest. Mohammad Ziaul Haque, former Director of the Department of Environment, was present as the Special Guest. Designated discussants included Dr. A. T. M. Nurul Amin, Professor Emeritus at the Asian Institute of Technology and Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Management at North South University, and Roufa Khanam, Deputy Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (3CER) at BRAC University.
Chief Guest Professor Dr. Sharif Nafe As-Saber said that identifying the nature and sources of air pollution is the first step towards controlling it. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing domestic technologies while integrating them with international technologies. He added that raising awareness about the causes of pollution would help identify effective solutions.
Presenting the keynote paper, Professor Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder said that air pollution not only harms public health but also hinders the expansion of renewable energy. Fine particulate matter and pollutants released by burning fossil fuels, particularly coal and fuel oil, can accumulate on solar panels and reduce their electricity generation capacity. This increases the maintenance costs of solar power systems and creates barriers to maximizing the benefits of clean energy. He stressed that effective measures to control air pollution must accompany efforts to expand renewable energy.
In her remarks as the Chair of the session, Dr. Mosa. Mahmuda Parvin said that air pollution is no longer merely an environmental issue; it is also a major threat to public health and future generations. She emphasized that effective initiatives through sustainable development and green industrialization are essential to addressing this crisis.
Mohammad Ziaul Haque said that air pollution harms public health and also obstructs the expansion of renewable energy. Dust pollution can reduce solar panel efficiency and adversely affect electricity generation. He noted that effectively implementing existing plans and realizing available opportunities remain major challenges.
The discussion concluded with an emphasis on improving air quality, controlling sources of pollution, increasing the use of renewable energy, and strengthening public awareness and effective initiatives to protect the environment and public health while building a clean, safe, and sustainable energy system.
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