Staff Reporter:
Governance failures and coordination gaps continue to weaken climate change adaptation efforts in Bangladesh, according to findings presented at a study-sharing event in Dhaka on Thursday.
The event, “Effectiveness of Climate Change Adaptation in Bangladesh: Challenges and the Way Forward,” was jointly organised by the Centre for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD), the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD), Independent University, Bangladesh, Brighters, Youth4NDCs, and Greenpeace.
Two independent studies by CPRD and ICCCAD were presented. The CPRD study assessed the effectiveness of local climate adaptation efforts in reducing risks and ensuring sustainability, while ICCCAD’s research focused on integrating locally-led adaptation (LLA) with global adaptation goals through inclusive indicators and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
Findings revealed key shortcomings: adaptation projects remain disaster risk reduction (DRR)-centric, overly reliant on technical solutions, and often disregard community resilience and future climate risks.
ICCCAD’s study highlighted the need to formalise long-standing local adaptation practices with structured support.
Experts at the event called for a shift from infrastructure-driven approaches to holistic strategies integrating agriculture, livelihoods, health, gender, and human rights.
They stressed that adaptation should be region-specific, led by vulnerable communities, and backed by scientific research and indigenous knowledge.
Dr M Asaduzzaman, former research director of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), emphasised that development processes must be adaptable to regional climate impacts.
He cautioned against an over-reliance on infrastructure-driven solutions, advocating for a holistic approach that incorporates agriculture, livelihoods, health, gender, and human rights into adaptation strategies.
CPRD Chief Executive Md Shamsuddoha urged for adaptation planning based on comprehensive risk assessments and stronger community engagement to ensure long-term resilience.
ICCCAD’s Managing Director, Saqib Huq, emphasised the role of ecosystems in local adaptation and called for more diverse leadership and region-specific adaptation initiatives.
The event concluded with a call for urgent policy reforms and greater collaboration between government agencies, local stakeholders, and research bodies to improve climate adaptation effectiveness in Bangladesh.
