Climate change is a major global issue with serious impacts on people, ecosystems, and the environment. Since the 1970s, it has accelerated rapidly due to human activities, leading to rising temperatures and increasing weather variability. Although Bangladesh contributes little to global climate change, it is highly vulnerable due to its dependence on natural resources and its limited adaptive capacity. Adaptation is crucial to managing these changes and reducing associated risks. Bangladesh has developed various plans and strategies to address climate change, but significant challenges remain in implementing these effectively. These challenges include financial constraints, technological limitations, environmental issues, governance problems, and socio-cultural factors. Successful implementation of these plans is essential to reducing climate risks and achieving climate goals.
The government has adopted several key policies and plans. The National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) of 2005 focuses on critical adaptation measures in agriculture, water resource management, and disaster risk reduction. The Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP) of 2009 aims to reduce vulnerability to climate change and build adaptive capacity, particularly in areas such as food security and disaster management. A more recent initiative, the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2023-2050, emphasizes aligning climate adaptation efforts with national development priorities, including water management, agriculture, and urban planning. Additionally, the Delta Plan 2100, a long-term water management strategy for the 21st century, addresses water resource management, climate change, and delta sustainability. The National Environmental Policy (NEP) 2018 focuses on improving environmental quality and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.
However, implementation challenges remain. These include financial constraints, such as insufficient budgets and poor resource allocation; institutional challenges, including lack of coordination among ministries and limited institutional capacity; technological and environmental challenges, such as frequent natural disasters and limited technical expertise; and socio-cultural challenges, including the marginalization of vulnerable communities and cultural barriers to change.
Addressing these challenges requires strengthening financial systems, enhancing capacity building, investing in climate science and technology, supporting the most vulnerable populations, and establishing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. These actions are crucial for reducing vulnerability to climate change and promoting sustainable development.
Md Idris Ali , Postgraduate student
Department of Population Sciences
University of Dhaka.
