On February 27, 2025, the Center for Participatory Research and Development – CPRD, in collaboration with International Center for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) hosted a national study sharing event titled “Effectiveness of Climate Change Adaptation in Bangladesh: Challenges and Way Forward” at the Azimur Rahman Conference Hall, The Daily Star Center in Dhaka.
From the CPRD, Sheikh Nur Ataya Rabbi and Shanjia Shams presented a study entitled “Challenges for Effective Climate Change Adaptation in Bangladesh: Evidence from the South-West Coastal Area and North-Eastern Haor Region.” This research, supported by Bread from the World, was conducted in the districts of Sunamganj, Sylhet, and Satkhira, employing a mixed-methods approach that included project document reviews, interviews, focus group discussions, and case studies. The study utilized eight principles of locally-led adaptation (LLA) to assess past and present adaptation initiatives undertaken by various governmental and non-governmental organizations. Key findings revealed systemic challenges such as institutional fragmentation, corruption, short-term project orientations, and infrastructure mismanagement, notably misplaced cyclone shelters and poorly planned embankments that have disrupted local livelihoods. Additionally, the research highlighted the inadequate consideration and representation of local communities throughout all project phases—from design to implementation and subsequent evaluations. In evidence, case studies from Lebubunia (coastal) and Vatidol (haor) emphasized governance failures, including collapsed polders due to insufficient maintenance and embankments obstructing fishing routes, exacerbating unemployment and inequality. Recommendations focused on enhancing participatory governance, equity-centered design, integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific insights, capacity-building for local institutions, and fostering transboundary collaboration.
Towrin Zaman Raya, a Research Associate at ICCCAD, presented critical findings regarding adaptation indicators derived from National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Locally-Led Adaptation (LLA) initiatives across Bangladesh. In her analysis of the Haor and Flash Flood Areas, she identified challenges such as political influence and a lack of legal ownership over resources. In the Northern & Northwestern Region, she observed that, despite a high saturation of adaptation projects, she noted a deficiency in local empowerment. Meanwhile, significant water security challenges and persistent gender inequalities in the Southwestern Coastal Region were highlighted as factors limiting resilience. Towrin called for strengthened legal ownership, improved financial literacy, and the promotion of inclusive leadership to enhance adaptation efforts.
During the expert discussion, Dr. Laura Kuhl, Associate Professor of Public Policy and Urban Affairs and International Affairs at Northeastern University, Boston, critiqued traditional adaptation practices for lacking foresight and failing to account for future climate impacts. She pointed out discrepancies between project budgets and expenditures, attributed to weak monitoring and evaluation systems, limited community engagement, and existing institutional gaps. Dr. Kuhl recommended piloting community-led adaptation projects, establishing a national coordination platform, and embedding marginalized voices into policy frameworks.
Dr. Bimal Raj Regmi, Senior Consultant, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management at OPM Nepal, expressed concerns regarding the depth of resilience investigations and whether interventions effectively address disaster risk reduction (DRR) issues. He remarked on Bangladesh’s pivotal role in community-based adaptation, questioning its current status and interrelations with local-led adaptation. Dr. Bimal Raj Regmi, Senior Consultant on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management at OPM Nepal, raised Dr. Regmi noted that CBA has shown limited evolution recently and cautioned against the overshadowing of local narratives by international perspectives. He advocated for research-driven solutions, underscoring the lack of funding interest in this area and the necessity of knowledge sharing to learn from past advancements. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of focusing on the localized aspects of vulnerability within adaptation planning and called for context-specific solutions that align with local realities.
As the special guest, Dr. M Asaduzzaman, the Former Research Director at BIDS, stressed the lack of coordination among interdepartmental, intradepartmental, and cross-ministerial levels in Bangladesh, which significantly hinders effective adaptation planning. He emphasized the critical role of incorporating women and engaging the wider community in adaptation initiatives. He also pointed out the necessity for effective water management and advocated for the involvement of a diverse range of professional expertise, including architects and engineers, to enhance adaptation planning efforts.
Among others, Saqib Huq, Managing Director, ICCCAD, Jasmima Sabatina, Contact Point, Loss & Damage Working Group, YOUNGO, Amanullah Porag, ED, Youth4NDCS, Faria Hossain Ikra, Human Rights Activist, and many other officials from CSOs and development organizations spoke at the event.
Emphasizing inclusivity, equity, and institutional accountability for effective adaptation efforts, Sumaiya Binte Anwar, Program Manager at CPRD concluded the event. She articulated that sustainable adaptation also requires long-term planning, effective recognition of the contextual and local people’s perspective, and flexible funding mechanisms to effectively support these initiatives.
