Green Energy, Blue Economy: Integrating Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development for Bangladesh

Abstract The coastal zone of Bangladesh is of immense importance and provides a myriad of services and functions, including fisheries resources, sustaining biodiversity, supporting trade and transportation, and holding visually pleasing monuments and recreational opportunities for the country's economic growth and the well-being of its people. The article highlights the significant efforts made by the Government of Bangladesh toward promoting the blue economy, including the development of renewable energy programs (wind farms), sustainable tourism, fisheries aquaculture, and working on a long-term plan for coastal zone management. The study also examines the challenges facing Bangladesh's marine and coastal fisheries, including overfishing, indiscriminate catch and kill of juveniles, and marine pollution. Additionally, the article discusses the growing popularity of mariculture, especially seaweed culture, in the coastal waters of Bangladesh as an alternative to dwindling marine fisheries. Research also highlights the need for greater efforts toward the conservation and sustainable management of marine and coastal resources, including fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism, to ensure their long-term viability and economic benefits for the country.