Category: Energy and Power

With more than a half-million people worldwide dying from heat-related causes every year, a group of philanthropies is putting $300 million into developing lifesaving solutions as global temperatures continue to rise.

the money, announced this week at the COP30 climate negotiations in Brazil, is aimed at developing data and figuring out the best investments for tackling rising risks from extreme heat, air pollution and infectious disease. ‘We are a philanthropy. We can’t just keep plugging holes and resuscitating a dying model of development,’ said Estelle Willie, the director of health policy and communications at The Rockefeller Foundation, one of the funders. ‘So what we are trying to do is through our philanthropy capital, we can start testing and validating new solutions through this work and coming together,’ she said. Separately, COP30 host Brazil launched an initiative called the Belem Health Action Plan to encourage countries to monitor and coordinate climate-related health policy across their various ministries and departments.

that effort is part of Brazil’s broader focus at the U.N. climate talks on bolstering countries’ ability to prepare for – and adapt to – worsening climate impacts including floods, fires, drought, storms and hurricanes.

Ahead of COP30 in Belem, IRENA identified five priority areas to accelerate progress towards the goal of tripling renewables globally and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 – both critical energy targets to keep the Paris Agreement goals alive. IRENA’s custodian report, Delivering on the UAE Consensus: Tracking Progress Toward Tripling Renewable Energy Capacity and Doubling Energy Efficiency by 2030, confirmed the target of 11.2 TW of installed renewable power capacity by 2030 remains within reach, thanks to record-breaking renewables additions for a third consecutive year in 2024. However, it also flagged bottlenecks in investment, grids, supply chains, and skills, urging for bolder national renewable targets before COP30.

and it pinpointed geographical imbalances in renewable deployment, continuously threatening a just and inclusive transition.

implementation took center stage, but ambition gaps persist At COP30, implementation was front and center, with a strong focus on how to advance existing commitments. Parties reaffirmed the central role of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in guiding the transition.

the trends in energy sector commitments in NDC 3.0s reflect a growing alignment with the UAE Consensus goals, which countries are increasingly integrating into national plans, emphasizing renewable deployment and low-carbon technologies. Published at COP30, IRENA’s new report on Climate Action Support 2025 shows how IRENA actively engages with its Members to assist in the development of climate commitments.

to date, the Agency has provided support to 102 countries through 240 activities since 2020, representing a combined population of 6.0 billion people globally. Grids and flexibility recognized as essential pillars of the transition To translate commitments into action, COP30 witnessed a strong push for the Climate Action Agenda, inspired to foster engagement from businesses, investors, and civil society by scaling the many initiatives already in motion. In Belem, particularly the importance of building enabling infrastructure for the energy transition gained further prominence, with discussions underscoring the need for expanded, modernized, and flexible grids to accommodate and encourage higher shares of renewable power generation.

according to IRENA, substantial additional investment will be required, with USD 791-912 billion per year needed for grids and flexibility to 2030, including around USD 670 billion annually to strengthen electricity grids so that new cost-effective renewable capacity can be effectively used while maintaining secure and reliable system operation.

the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (UNEZA) advanced this agenda by collectively committing to invest USD 1.0 trillion to 2030 in grids, storage, and new transmission corridors. While the commitments are not yet in line with the level necessary, they showcase a concrete commitment by utilities to move this forward. Global financing gap remains wide Discussions at COP30 repeatedly highlighted the persistent misalignment between the pace of renewable deployment and the scale of finance available, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies where investment flows remain well below the levels required for a 1.5 °C-consistent pathway.

iRENA’s new Global Landscape of Energy Transition Finance 2025 report confirms that global investments in the energy transition reached a new record of USD 2.4 trillion in 2024. But despite this milestone, year-onyear growth of renewables slowed significantly, with annual investments increasing by 7.3% in 2024, compared to 32% the year before. Furthermore, 90% remained concentrated in advanced economies and China, leaving emerging and developing countries behind. Supply-chain resilience gained recognition Renewable-energy supply chains, spanning manufacturing, critical minerals, components, and logistics, are increasingly recognized as central to the success of the global energy transition. Persistent vulnerabilities and concentration risks need to be addressed to support a secure and sustainable scaleup of renewables.

at COP30, supply chains featured more prominently in ministerial discussions and in the Climate Action Agenda. For example, UNEZA and the Global Clean Power Alliance (GCPA) announced a new strategic partnership to address supply chain challenges affecting the power sector globally. Strengthening supply-chain resilience remains an important area for continued international co-operation, particularly as countries seek to reconcile energy security, affordability, and sustainability objectives. Skills and workforce development remain key enablers of just transition.

the COP30 outcome reaffirms equity, intergenerational fairness, and international cooperation as core principles and calls on countries, subnational authorities, civil society, and the private sector to accelerate action.

these references are consistent with IRENA’s recognition that workforce development, skills, social protection, and inclusive policy frameworks are key enablers of a just and equitable energy transition that leaves no one behind.

iRENA’s ongoing work on skills and socioeconomic impacts provides an important foundation that can be further used to support countries in aligning social outcomes with the broader objectives of the energy transition

Gas supply has been suspended in the PanchabatiMuktarapur area and its adjacent N a r a y a n g a n j and Munshiganj districts after a gas pipeline was damaged during road construction work.

titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited announced the temporary suspension in a press release issued on 23 November.

the Titas Gas authorities said the gas pipeline was damaged during construction work on the Panchabati-Muktarapur flyover.

an emergency team is currently working to repair the pipeline leak, it said.

titas Gas authorities expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to customers due to the temporary disruption

The government recently approved a proposal in principle for procuring LNG from Aramco Trading Singapore Pte Ltd.

under short-term arrangement on Government-to-Government (G2G) basis to meet the country’s growing demand for energy.

the approval came from the 37th meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs in this year held at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at Bangladesh Secretariat with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair. Placed by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, the meeting approved the proposal which sought processing on short-term LNG procurement, on a Government-to-Government (G2G) basis, from Aramco Trading Singapore Pte Ltd. under Section 68 of the Public Procurement Act, 2006, and relevant provisions of the Public Procurement Rules, 2025.

The curtain on COP30 or the UN Climate Change Conference in the Brazilian city of Belem fell in the last week of November amid commitments, hopes, rage and disappointment.

there have been reaffirmation of commitments to move away from fossil fuels, but the pledges by the rich countries have fallen short of any concrete roadmap of how to cut down the carbon emission responsible for global warming.

the culprits behind the global warming have long been identified as coal, oil and gas. Sadly, like in the previous years the rich nations failed to live up to the expectations of at least 80 countries which pressed for the concrete roadmap on how to implement the commitments on reducing the use of fossil fuels and check the global warning at 1.5C of pre industrial level.

once again the fossil fuel – the elephant in the room – got less attention from the rich nations. Even though the summit saw deep divisions among the nations some positive developments did not go unnoticed. ‘While deep divisions were on display in Belém, we also saw strong ambition from countries to continue working together on the transition away from fossil fuels,’ said Patricia Fuller, IISD president and CEO. ‘This work will go beyond COP 30.’ Not many will agree with him though. This year’s climate summit raised hope that there will be steps to build on commitments to move away from fossil fuels, phase out fossil fuel subsidies and boost the use of renewables.

at least 88 countries have pushed for the issues to be included in the final declaration but what they received is disappointment.

there has been no commitment on reforming the fossil fuel subsidies. Many participants, however, wondered what happed to the Presidency’s call for ‘implementation COP.’ Instead, the outcome saw deep divisions on finance, trade measures, mitigation pathways, and other areas. ‘The outcome of the conference left many disappointed, including more than 80 countries that pushed for a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels in the final deal.

those who supported a stronger outcome on climate finance for developing countries were equally discouraged,’ according to a group of climate change experts. Despite absence of a consensus Brazil played a key role in intensifying the debate on fossil fuels, seen as a political breakthrough.

according to a summit document ‘On the political dimension, Brazil led an unprecedented global debate on the future of fossil fuels. Despite the absence of consensus, with more than 80 countries supporting explicit language and over 80 opposing it, the Brazilian Presidency announced, on its own initiative, processes to develop two key roadmaps: Transition to a fossil fuel-free economy in a just, orderly, and equitable manner; Forest and Climate Roadmap to halt and reverse deforestation. Still, there were some positive outcomes and a clear desire to make progress in the months and years ahead, including through collaboration outside of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process.

the issue of tackling the fossil fuel and arriving at an agreement on this will have to wait until COP 31 convene in Turkiye, with Australia serving as the ‘President of Negotiations.’ Both Australia and Turkiye were determined to host the next summit. The compromise arrived at Belem has been a positive development.

at Belem summit Bangladesh played a critical role advocating for climate justice, adaptation, and finance by pushing for the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, demanding a new, scaledup global climate finance goal ($1.3 trillion by 2035), and prioritizing direct access to funds for local communities and women.

the country also emphasized the need to scale up adaptation finance, increase green technology transfer, and secure international recognition for climate migrant

United States Energy Association (USEA) President and CEO Mark Menezes recently released a statement regarding the completion of negotiations on Civil Nuclear Cooperation signed between US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud. ‘The United States Energy Association strongly supports the completion of negotiations on Civil Nuclear Cooperation between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,’ Menezes said. ‘This is a historic and pivotal moment that underscores the power of international energy collaboration in advancing shared strategic interests. ‘The energy landscape in the U.S.

is exhibiting a consistent strength in our energy sources, with nuclear energy taking a position in new capacity additions.

it’s a dynamic picture, and one that we at USEA will continue to monitor with keen interest at home and abroad.’

A key measure of global progress on energy efficiency is set to accelerate in 2025, according to the latest annual update from the IEA, a sign of improving momentum in an important area for strengthening energy security and economic competitiveness while reducing energy costs and emissions.

energy Efficiency 2025, the IEA’s annual report on efficiency trends around the world, finds that global primary energy intensity – the main metric for tracking efficiency progress – is on course to improve by 1.8% this year, up from just 1% in 2024. Preliminary estimates indicate that several key economies, such as India and China, are showing some indications of stronger progress compared with their average since 2019.

the rate of global improvement in energy efficiency has been largely lackluster since 2019, averaging around 1.3% per year.

that’s down significantly from the average of around 2% per year between 2010 and 2019. ‘The acceleration in global progress on energy efficiency that we’re seeing in 2025 is encouraging, including positive signs in some major emerging economies. But our analysis shows that governments need to work even harder to ensure efficiency’s full range of benefits are enjoyed by as many people as possible,’ said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.

Global fossil fuel emissions are set to hit a new high in 2025, according to research published recently that also warns curbing warming under 1.5C would now be essentially ‘impossible’. The annual Global Carbon Budget report looks at humanity’s emissions of planet-heating CO2 from burning hydrocarbons, cement production and land use — like deforestation — and relates the figures to the warming thresholds outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement.

an international team of scientists found that CO2 emissions from fossil fuels will be 1.1 percent higher in 2025 than a year ago, with the huge rollout of renewable technologies across the world not yet enough to compensate for growing energy demand. With emissions from oil, gas and coal all set to rise, the overall figure is due to reach a record of 38.1 billion tonnes of CO2. Released as nations meet for COP30 climate talks in the Brazilian Amazon, the new study calculated a remaining allowance of 170 billion tonnes of CO2 to limit warming to 1.5C from pre-industrial levels — the goal outlined in the Paris Agreement.

Bangladesh must urgently transition to a sustainable and investment-ready energy system to protect industrial growth and ensure economic stability, experts said at a recent policy dialogue.

the dialogue, titled ‘Enabling Bangladesh’s Growth and Prosperity: Developing a Sustainable Power Sector Investment Climate,’ was jointly organized by Policy Exchange Bangladesh and the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) at The Westin Dhaka. Business leaders, policymakers, and sector specialists highlighted that rising energy demand, high production costs, and inconsistent policies are undermining investor confidence, despite years of billions invested in infrastructure.

they cautioned that without long-term reforms and greater private sector involvement, Bangladesh could face a major power crisis within the next decade. ‘Bangladesh doesn’t just need more megawatts-it needs megawatts that are sustainable, investable, and competitively priced,’ said Abu Chowdhury, director of EMA Power Investment Limited and EPV Thakurgaon Limited.

Bangladesh has seen a steady rise in domestic gas usage, making gas cooking appliances essential part of everyday life. Yet the lack of standardized safety regulations has contributed to a growing number of gas-related accidents, including leaks, fires, and explosions, resulting in injuries and fatalities. From high-rise apartments in Dhaka to rural kitchens powered by piped natural gas or LPG cylinders, millions of households rely on gas daily. While it is a vital energy source, it carries serious risks that continue to threaten lives, damage property, and place immense pressure on national burn-care facilities. Recognizing the urgency of addressing these risks, the Asian Development Bank’s Technical Assistance project TA 10187-BAN: Promoting Energy Transition, Safety and Energy Efficiency in the Energy Sector initiative, jointly implemented with Petrobangla under Output 5, extended support to BSTI to develop Bangladesh’s first internationally aligned safety standards for domestic gas cooking appliances.

in mid-2024, ADB engaged a consultant team led by highly experienced International Gas Appliance Safety Standards Specialist Mr. Chris Evans, supported by National Standards Specialist Mr.

a. S. M. Manzurul Quader, and National Gas Specialist Mr. Mortuza Ahmad Faruque. Recently, BSTI formally approved three new standards: BDS ISO 21364 Parts 1, 21, and 22, marking the first time Bangladesh adopted global best practices for domestic gas cooking appliances. However, the approval of safety standards alone cannot prevent accidents.

true safety can only be achieved when these standards are effectively institutionalized, mandated, and monitored, supported by nationwide awareness and capacity-building efforts.

this milestone marks a historic advancement in Bangladesh’s approach to household gas safety, but it is only the beginning. Meaningful improvements require a complete ecosystem: laws that mandate compliance, laboratories to verify conformity, inspectors to enforce standards, informed consumers who follow safe practices, and a skilled workforce trained in proper installation and maintenance. Bangladesh now has a complete suite of safety standards aligned with ISO 21364, the world’s newest and most advanced framework for gas cooking appliances. But like nearly all ISO standards globally, these are currently voluntary for three years.

in a market where low-cost, lowquality stoves dominate, voluntary compliance is insufficient. Mandatory adoption requires formal action and phased implementation. Dissemination Workshop on Safety Standards To enhance the safety of domestic gas cooking appliances in line with international standards, a dissemination workshop titled ‘Safety Standards for Domestic Gas Cooking Appliances’ was successfully held on 9 November 2025 at the InterContinental Dhaka.

the event was jointly organized by BSTI, Petrobangla, and the Asian Development Bank. Mr. Md.

abdul Mannan Patwary, Director (Planning), Petrobangla, attended the workshop as the Chief Guest, while the session was chaired by Mr. Md. Saidul Islam, Director (Standards), BSTI. Mr. Hoe Yun Jeong, Country Director, ADB, and Mr. Chris Evans, International Gas Appliance Safety Standards Specialist, ADB, were present as Special Guests.

the workshop featured several important technical presentations.

one of the key sessions, ‘Safe Use of Gas in Households: Next Steps,’ was delivered by Mr. Chris Evans from ADB.

experts from BSTI also addressed a range of critical topics, including an overview of the BDS ISO 21364-1:2025 Domestic Gas Cooking Appliances standard and discussions on the development of additional gas safety standards.

other notable presentations focused on the establishment of gas appliance safety testing laboratories, the identification of mandatory products, and strategies for implementing market surveillance and licensing for domestic gas cooking appliances.

additional sessions emphasized the importance of enhancing consumer awareness on safe gas usage and the critical need to develop a skilled workforce for the installation and maintenance of domestic gas systems and appliances.

a panel discussion featuring experts from institutions such as BUET, Bangladesh Agricultural University, and industry representatives provided valuable insights and concluded with an engaging, interactive open discussion.

the event was attended by 71 participants, including experts and representatives from BSTI, Petrobangla, ADB, Titas Gas, Bakhrabad Gas, Karnaphuli Gas, Jalalabad Gas, Pashchimanchal Gas, Sundarban Gas, BERC, Department of Explosives, CAB, LPG Association of Bangladesh, Meghna Fresh LPG, BUET, BAU Mymensingh, SME Foundation, BITAC, BHMMA, Myako Ltd., RFL Group, Kiam Metal, SKB Cookware, Jamuna Group, and Walton Hi-Tech.

the consultant team suggested six major recommendations that outline how Bangladesh can build a safer future for all gasusing households.

these recommendations were thoroughly discussed during the dissemination workshop by experts from various institutions.

they highlight the key areas that Bangladesh must address to reduce household gas accidents and ensure a safer energy future.

the six major recommendations are as follows: Recommendation-1: The first priority is to make the BDS ISO 21364 standards mandatory. Like all ISO standards, they are voluntary at the time of publication. In a highly price-sensitive market such as Bangladesh, voluntary standards cannot ensure safety because low-cost, non-compliant stoves will continue to dominate unless the law requires otherwise. Mandating these standards would protect consumers by creating a level playing field for manufacturers and importers.

a phased approach is recommended, allowing two years for manufacturers to redesign products and for testing capacity to be developed, followed by the start of enforcement in the third year. Similar transition periods are used in Europe and have proven effective. Recently, BSTI approved a suite of safety standards for domestic gas cooking appliances.

the adoption of the safety requirements in these standards needs to be enforced in Bangladesh, where gas explosions and gas burn incidents in domestic households are a common occurrence. Correctly getting the timing of the implementation of mandatory BDS gas safety standards needs careful consideration. Recommendation-2: The second major recommendation calls for establishing one or more gas appliance safety testing laboratories in Bangladesh. Bangladesh currently lacks gas appliance safety testing laboratories, hindering the ability to ensure the safety of domestic gas cooking appliances before they enter the market. To address this, the establishment of independent testing facilities is crucial for manufacturers, importers, and market surveillance authorities to verify compliance with safety standards like BDS ISO 21364; 2025. Without testing facilities, manufacturers cannot certify their new models, importers cannot verify product compliance, and regulators such as BSTI or the Director of National ConsumersRight Protection (DNCRP) cannot enforce safety requirements. Developing a modern laboratory will require significant investment, specialized equipment, expert training (often abroad), and accreditation from the Bangladesh Accreditation Board. It is estimated that creating a functional lab will take 18 to 24 months.

once operational, these laboratories will be central to ensuring that only safe appliances reach Bangladeshi households. BSTI, as the government standardization and certification body, would play a key role, as they have a well-established range of testing laboratories, and other state entities like technical colleges and universities may assist in establishing testing and research facilities too. Recommendation 3: The third recommendation focuses on strengthening market surveillance and enforcement. Mandated standards only work when backed by effective monitoring, verification, and enforcement mechanisms. Upon review, the government issues an official gazette notification under the BSTI Act, 2018, declaring the product standard compulsory. From that point, it becomes illegal to manufacture, import, or sell the product without a BSTI Certification Mark (CM) license. BSTI already undertakes compliance activities for other products under the BSTI Act (2018), but the fast-growing market for domestic gas appliances requires expanded capacity.

effective market surveillance includes the authority to inspect factories, test retail products, seize unsafe goods, and impose escalating penalties.

it also requires proactive communication with manufacturers and importers, helping them understand compliance obligations. International experience shows that meaningful enforcement not only protects consumers but also supports responsible businesses that invest in quality and safety.

the introduction of new types of safe gas cooking appliances will be challenging for the Bangladesh market.

the essential safety features of the new appliances will increase their cost to manufacture and likewise increase their cost to consumers. Bangladesh, in common with most other countries, has a very price-sensitive market, especially for low-income households. Recommendation 4: A fourth critical area involves developing additional safety standards for gas supply components, such as flexible hoses, regulators, GI pipes, clamps, and connectors. Many domestic gas accidents occur not because of the cooking appliance itself but due to leaks in supply lines and poor-quality accessories. For example, outdated or substandard hoses, loosely fitted connectors, and weak regulators often lead to gas accumulation in kitchens.

to address these risks, Bangladesh requires a comprehensive suite of standards covering all components between the LPG cylinder or gas meter and the cooking appliance. Some standards already exist, while others must be developed or adopted from international best practices. BSTI is well-positioned to lead this process with support from Petrobangla and gas distribution companies, LPG operators, and technical experts. Consequently, it will have a crucial role in organizing and managing the consultations and the gap analyses.

once those are done, it will be taking its standards development processes forward, covering some different standards in parallel. Recommendation 5: The fifth recommendation, enhancing consumer gas safety awareness, may be the single most powerful tool for reducing accidents. Stakeholders across the sector highlighted the public’s limited understanding of gas safety as a major concern. Many consumers cannot recognize the smell of gas odorants, do not know what to do when a leak occurs, store cylinders improperly, or attempt dangerous installations themselves. Some even believe that smelly gas is ‘bad gas,’ not realizing the odor is deliberately added to help detect leaks.

a strong national awareness program is therefore essential.

this effort must use every available communication channel, such as social media, television, newspapers, posters, educational materials, leaflets, school programs, and community leaders, to teach basic yet life-saving safety practices. Consumer education must be continuous, refreshed regularly, and implemented collaboratively by gas utilities, LPG operators, government agencies, and civil society.

the gas supply sector has an important responsibility in strengthening consumer awareness of gas safety.

organizations that are large and closely connected to gas distribution, whether natural gas or LPG, are best positioned to develop and sustain the communication expertise needed to design, deliver, and routinely repeat effective safety messaging for all consumer groups. Likewise, the LPG Association of Bangladesh (LOAB), representing commercial LPG distributors and LOAB should commit to similar responsibilities, ensuring that consistent, accurate, and accessible safety information reaches households across the country. Recommendation 6: Finally, the sixth recommendation calls for developing a professionally trained and certified national workforce for gas installation and maintenance.

in Bangladesh, household gas lines, whether piped or LPG-based, are often installed by untrained workers or even by residents themselves.

this dramatically increases the risk of leaks, fires, and explosions.

a structured national training program under the Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB), delivered through polytechnic institutes and Technical Training Centers, is urgently needed. Such a program should include modules on gas flow, installation standards, pressure testing, ventilation, carbon monoxide hazards, and emergency response. Hands-on practical training is essential, along with a national certification and refresher training system.

a three-year phasedrollout is recommended, beginning with curriculum development and pilot programs before nationwide expansion. A certified gas technician workforce will not only improve safety but also generate new employment opportunities for young people, including women. Stakeholder’s Workshop on Safety Standards The earlier Stakeholder’s Workshop on Safety Standards for Domestic Gas Cooking Appliances was held on 14 January 2025 at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.

this initiative was a collaborative effort by ADB, Petrobangla, and BSTI, aimed at establishing comprehensive safety standards for domestic gas cooking appliances in Bangladesh.

the workshop brought together key stakeholders, including government agencies, regulatory bodies, manufacturers, industry experts, consumer associations, and safety specialists, to discuss the adoption and implementation of international safety standards, particularly ISO/TS 21364 for domestic gas appliances.

it also served as a platform to address challenges related to gas safety, appliance standardization, consumer awareness, and regulatory enforcement. Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution plays a pivotal role in regulating product safety and has been actively working on adopting international standards for domestic gas cooking appliances.

in 2024, BSTI announced its plan to adopt ISO/TS 21364 standards, accelerating the need for stakeholder consultations and regulatory alignment.

to address these challenges, Output 5 of the ADB project focuses on developing and implementing safety standards for domestic gas appliances.

the Stakeholder Consultation Workshop held on January 14, 2025, was a critical step in this process, bringing together policymakers, regulators, industry representatives, and consumer advocacy groups to discuss and finalize Bangladesh’s national safety standards for gas cooking appliances.

the workshop provided an opportunity to review the international safety standards and their applicability in the Bangladesh context, to engage stakeholders in discussions on regulatory requirements and industry challenges, and to identify gaps and potential improvements in the proposed safety framework.

through this initiative, the Government of Bangladesh, in collaboration with ADB, Petrobangla, and BSTI, aims to establish a robust regulatory framework that ensures safer gas appliances, protects consumers, and enhances energy efficiency across the sector.

observations Bangladesh now stands at a crucial turning point.

the approval of BDS ISO 21364 is a major milestone, but it is only the beginning. Implementing the six recommendations, which include mandating standards, building testing labs, enforcing compliance, expanding standards for supply components, educating consumers, and developing skilled technicians, will create a comprehensive national safety ecosystem. This transformation will save lives, reduce burn injuries, lower healthcare costs, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and enhance energy security. Countries around the world have dramatically reduced gas-related household accidents through similar reforms. Bangladesh can do the same. With coordinated efforts, strong inter-agency cooperation, and a sustained commitment from all stakeholders, Bangladesh can move decisively toward a safer and more resilient energy future for every household. BSTI will submit the three BDS ISO 21364 standards to the Ministry of Industries for official gazette publication as mandatory. Suppliers will be required to obtain certification from BSTI.

a three-year phased approach is recommended: during the first two years, manufacturers of gas burners should redesign their products, while BSTI establishes laboratories for testing piped gas and LPG and develops market surveillance capacity.

in the third year, compliance testing and market monitoring will commence, leading to full mandatory enforcement by the end of Year 3. Developing safety standards, though a vital accomplishment, represents only the initial step toward ensuring that domestic gas cooking appliances in Bangladesh are safe for household use. The mere existence of standards does not automatically guarantee safety; they must be effectively institutionalized, implemented, and their use monitored throughout the entire value chain. For these standards to achieve their intended impact, they must be formally adopted through appropriate legal and regulatory instruments, making compliance mandatory rather than voluntary.

once adopted, consistent enforcement becomes critical.

this includes certification of appliances to verify conformity with the standards, accreditation of testing laboratories to ensure reliable assessments, and customs controls to prevent the entry of noncompliant products.

additionally, a system of regular market surveillance is needed to detect and address safety breaches in distribution and retail channels. Beyond regulation and enforcement, building a culture of gas safety is equally important. Public awareness campaigns, clear labelling of certified products, and targeted training programs for gas technicians, distributors, and retailers can collectively enhance consumer understanding and promote safe usage practices.

achieving these outcomes requires close coordination among regulators, industry representatives, and consumer organizations.

only through such a collaborative and sustained approach can Bangladesh ensure that safe and compliant appliances reach every household, thereby reducing the risks of gas-related accidents. Conclusion Bangladesh stands at a pivotal moment. For decades, household gas safety has been handled reactively after explosions occur, after families are burnt, after public tragedies unfold.

the new BDS ISO 21364 standards and the ADB recommendations provide the first comprehensive blueprint for preventing such tragedies at their root. By implementing the six recommendations mandating standards, establishing testing laboratories, enforcing compliance, expanding supply-side regulations, educating consumers, and training technicians. Bangladesh can save lives, reduce burn injuries, boost energy efficiency, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and increase export competitiveness. While gas will always carry some inherent risks, these risks are manageable. Countries around the world have successfully reduced household gas explosions to near-zero levels through the same combination of standards, enforcement, and education that Bangladesh is now ready to adopt.

the time for action is now. With strong political will, interagency coordination, and stakeholder commitment, Bangladesh can build a safer, stronger, and more resilient energy future for every household