Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo -File photo

SANGSAD BHABAN, March 31, 2026 (BSS) – Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo today informed the House that necessary action is being taken against corruption in environment and climate change sectors as the government is committed to ensure transparency and good governance there. 

Responding to a written query from BNP lawmaker AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon (Noakhali-1), the minister listed reports of massive financial irregularities in the sector over the past 14 years.

He confirmed that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is currently investigating a report by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), an anti-corruption organisation. 

The TIB report, published on November 4, 2025, highlighted alleged corruption amounting to Tk 2,110 crore in projects funded by the Climate Change Trust Fund between 2009-‘10 and 2023-24 fiscals.

Mintoo informed the House that the Trust Fund has already provided all requested documents and data to the ACC to facilitate the ongoing probe.

To ensure future transparency and accountability, the minister outlined several strategic initiatives. 

He noted that the government is in the process of integrating project processing into the Planning Division's PPS software to enable online monitoring. 

Furthermore, a new 12-member technical sub-committee has been formed to rigorously scrutinize and select projects, guided by a newly formulated set of criteria for climate-vulnerable areas.

To further strengthen oversight, the government has introduced the "Trust Fund Money Use Policy (Revised 2025)" and updated guidelines for managing permanent deposits. 

The minister added that a digital monitoring system is also being developed to oversee approved projects in real-time.

"If any irregularity or allegations of corruption are detected during project implementation, the respective administrative ministries take immediate investigative and legal action," Mintoo added.

The minister also highlighted reforms within the Department of Environment (DoE). 

He said the environmental clearance process has been moved entirely online to eliminate manual interference.
 
Additionally, the DoE has stepped up internal audits, regular supervision, and integrity training for its officials.

The minister also promised that all allegations of misconduct would be dealt strictly.