Context:- Saleemul Huq, a climate scientist, activist, and advisor to developing nations, passed away. He was a prominent figure in climate change, environment, and development and founded the International Centre for Climate Change & Development (ICCCAD) in Bangladesh.
Saleemul Huq served as a Professor at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) and left a remarkable legacy in several areas:
Global Influence on Climate Adaptation:
He significantly shaped global discussions on climate adaptation.
Funds and Mechanisms Development:
Saleemul Huq played a pivotal role in establishing the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Loss and Damage mechanism under the UNFCCC.
IPCC Contributions:
He contributed as a lead author to various reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), notably on adaptation, sustainable development, and the interrelationships between adaptation and mitigation.
Advocacy for Climate Justice:
His advocacy for climate justice, particularly concerning the global south’s loss and damage, made a lasting impact on the climate movement.
Recognition and Awards:
Saleemul Huq received numerous accolades, including being recognized as one of Nature’s top scientists in 2022, receiving the National Environment Award from the Government of Bangladesh in 2020, and being appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for combating international climate change.
Legacy:
Saleemul Huq advocates for developed nations to support regions like the Sunderbans. He emphasizes the disparity between their contribution to emissions and the suffering faced in these areas. His work emphasized the perspectives of developing and least developed countries in climate discourse. It underscored the necessity for mitigation, adaptation, and sustainable development. His legacy continues to inspire and significantly impacts the global fight against climate change.
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