Current Affairs
Bangladesh became first country to receive funds from UN for Solar Home Systems
Bangladesh on 20 August 2015 became the first country to receive funds from the United Nations (UN) for its fast growing solar home systems. The UN Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) issued 395286 carbon credits worth 3.56 million US Dollar to two Bangladeshi organizations.
Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (IDCOL) and Grameen Shakti are the two organizations that won the carbon credits. The UNFCCC has issued 212482 carbon credits to the IDCOL and 182804 credits to Grameen Shakti.
The IDCOL is a state-owned development financial institution dedicated to promote and finance infrastructure and renewable energy projects, while Grameen Shakti, set up by Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, aims to take clean solar power systems and communication technology to villages.
Solar home systems of Bangladesh
Supported by various international organizations like the World Bank and Global Environment Facility (GEF), Bangladesh has installed around 6 million small solar home systems covering over 10 percent of its 160 million population.
Being one of the lowest carbon emitters and one of the most climate-change vulnerable countries, Bangladesh has emerged as one of fastest growing solar energy users with rural households using renewable energy for lighting, running fans and TVs and charging mobile phones.
Solar home systems are helping Bangladesh cut carbon emissions by reducing use of kerosene in rural areas.