Online Desk: Two Bangladeshis have been included in the list of ‘100 Most Influential People in Climate 2022/23’ by Apolitical.

The global policy watchdog published the names on its official website on Friday (November 4)

The list has been published on the occasion of the 27th United Nations Climate Conference of Parties (COP27) to be held in Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh from 6-18 November this year.

They are British-Bangladeshi scientist Dr Saleemul Huq and environment journalist Rafiqul Islam Montu.

Apolitical, a British non-profit organisation and global network, helps public servants find the ideas, people and partners they need to resolve the hardest challenges.

According to Apolitical’s official website, Saleemul Huq is 16th among the top 20 most influential people in climate this year.

Saleemul Huq, director of International Centre for Climate Change and Development, is known for climate mitigation and adaptation in the global south. He is also a senior fellow at the International Institute for Environment and Development.

Huq has been a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He has published numerous reports and articles in the space, and was awarded the Burtoni Award, which recognises outstanding contributions to the science of adaptation to climate change, for his work, it said.

Besides, Rafiqul Islam Montu has been selected under the Academia and Advocacy category.

According to Apolitical’s official website, Rafiqul is known for coastal climate journalism and photography.

“Rafiqul is a Bangladeshi journalist using stark, unflinching photography to document the unfolding impact of climate change on Bangladesh’s drowning coastal communities. The recipient of over 20 awards, his work was integral to communicating the urgency of climate adaptation at COP26,” it said.

The organisations, groups and individuals who have taken initiatives to find and implement climate solutions are named in this list by Apolitical.

However, publishing the list aims to raise the profile of climate policymakers. The list also focuses on protagonists of climate action, including voices from the Global South and grassroots campaigns.