Climate activists and experts on Sunday expressed concern that the proposed national budget for FY2026-27 does not allocate sufficient resources to implement long-term climate adaptation plans, urging the government to raise climate spending to at least 3 per cent of GDP, reports UNB.
Climate expenditure in the proposed budget stands at only 0.76 per cent of GDP, far below the level required to address growing climate vulnerabilities, they said at a seminar titled "National Budget 2026-27 and Climate Allocation" at the CIRDAP Auditorium in the capital.
The seminar was jointly organised by COAST Foundation, BDCSO Process and EquityBD and moderated by COAST Foundation Executive Director M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury.
Speakers called for a separate adaptation plan for coastal water management, with priority given to strengthening embankments, sluice gates, drainage systems and other coastal protection infrastructure, alongside the renovation of old polders and development of climate-resilient structures.
They also stressed the need to improve safe water supply and irrigation systems through rainwater harvesting, restoration of water bodies and canals, expansion of water-saving irrigation technologies and promotion of salinity-tolerant agriculture.
M Rezaul Karim said climate justice for coastal communities must be reflected in the national budget, highlighting salinity intrusion, river erosion, water scarcity and climate-induced displacement as major challenges.
He called for transparent climate financing focused on vulnerable groups and urged wider adoption of rainwater harvesting, pond-based storage, pond-sand filters, salinity-resilient water supply systems and small-scale desalination technologies.
Md Ziaul Haque, Additional Director General of the Department of Environment, identified protection from water-related disasters and diseases, and ensuring adequate safe water for drinking and agriculture, as key priorities.
