Bangladesh is one of the most affected countries in the world on account of climate change during the past two decades-- a German think-tank report says. In its latest Global Climate Risk Index 2018, the country remains in the sixth position among countries most affected during the period of 1997-2016.
In 2016, Bangladesh stood 13th among other nations in the world - counting a total of 222 fatalities for climate change and incurred losses over US$1,100 billion. Honduras bottomed the list of most affected countries of the past 20 years, followed by Haiti, Myanmar, Nicaragua and the Philippines.
In such a situation, the United Nations (UN) has recently urged upon the rich nations to ramp up financial aid to help poor countries shore up their defences against climate change. Rich nations pledged, back in 2009, to mobilise $100 billion per year from 2020 for climate aid to the developing world.
But the poor nations are insisting on a clear roadmap for reaching the goal, and on a bigger focus on money for climate adaptation, which entails building resilience against global warming impacts. So far, adaptation has received less than a fifth of climate finance made available.
The cost of developing countries for adaptation alone could range from $140 billion to $300 billion by 2030 and from $280 billion to $550 billion by 2050 -- up to five times higher than estimated previously, UN Environment Programme -- also known as UNEP, said in a statement.
The Paris Agreement set an objective of limiting average global warming to two degrees Celsius over pre-Industrial Revolution levels by cutting planet-heating greenhouse gases from burning coal, oil and gas.
Consequent upon this, developing nations need financial aid for making the switch away from fossil fuels to more renewable energies -- called mitigation -- as well as for adaptation, and for coping with climate change effects that can no longer be avoided.
It is thus evident that climate change is no longer a myth in Bangladesh. It has begun to affect the normal life of the common people of the country. In the process, the national resources are on decline very rapidly.
Biodiversity and climate change, therefore, need to be viewed in an integrated manner in Bangladesh. Sporadic research on climate change and biodiversity should be complemented by long-term effective research. Use of technological tools, e.g. satellite imagery or Geographic Information System (GIS) to study climate change impacts on biodiversity should be facilitated.
A national level ecosystem survey should be carried out periodically by the government, non-government and international organisations. Conducting such survey will help the policy makers and implementing bodies to plan for the subsequent situation in line with the SDGs.
In Bangladesh, there is a need to conserve and restore biodiversity and ecosystem services in the terrestrial, aquatic and marine environment. Key areas of investment for implementation must be identified through intensive engagement of governmental actors, non-government organisations (NGOs), researchers, private sectors and the people at large.
Ecosystem-based adaptation, like the "floating garden" can provide cost-effective solutions and multiple socio-economic benefits to the country's ecosystem. As a tool for strengthening biodiversity management in the country, this approach should be mainstreamed into conservation and development policies by the government.
Indeed, climate change and poverty are seen as twin challenges in sustainable development. It is widely understood that the present development paradigm is no longer able to sustain human development. There is a need for change in the country's perspective for development and from that perspective, environment and development are both win-win goals.
Bangladesh, a densely populated delta nation, faces the potentially worst human displacement induced by climate change. It is the toughest challenge to accommodate millions -- not thousands -- whose future is poised to be swamped by rising sea waters. Some 1156 people huddle together on just one square kilometre in a country whose population hit 170 million this year, making it one the most densely populated country in the world.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a top UN scientific body, has estimated that more than 30 million people living along the Bangladesh's coastline would become refugees in the coming decades as a result of sea level rise. Each year river erosion and floods displace thousands of Bangladeshis.
In such a situation, analysts and civil society leaders have voiced their concern over a poor inflow of climate fund into Bangladesh and suggested enhancement of the country's capacity of fund utilisation and coordination among the stakeholders to reverse the situation.
Initial pledges of US$ 13.5 billion were made by more than 13 countries by 2016. So far, Bangladesh received commitments of $ 80 million for adaptation projects. But one project of $ 67.22 million was rejected as it did not match the climate aspect. The country has so far failed to designate a national entity to negotiate the GCF fund.
Whatever projects the country has taken so far to mitigate climate effects are largely afflicted by political considerations, nepotism and illegal underhand awarding of contracts. Undue influence plays a major role in budget allocations for initiating climate change resilience projects by local government institutions.
In a recent survey, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) cited six climate fund projects that involved dredging of water bodies, construction of a waste management plant, disaster resilient houses and drains. It claimed a number of ministers and powerful quarters influenced the allocation of the project funds without considering the severity of risk and endangerment of an area. All six projects were initiated without proper feasibility study and public participation. In each project, the authorities illegally charged people Tk 8,000 to Tk 10,000 for constructing disaster resilient houses. E-tender process was not followed in any of the projects. Moreover, in a bid to evade tax, the contractor in one of the projects was changed without following due procedures.
The most worrying fact is that Bangladesh would not get adequate funds as a climate change affected nation unless it proves that it uses the fund responsibly. The accountability process should include all stakeholders including government, private sector, civil society organisations along with directly-affected communities.
There is a need for bringing the climate related projects under mandatory audit requirement. Without such practice of public information disclosure, it will be difficult to get any future adaptation funds. Also, it is essential for the country to integrate social, economic and environmental issues for better mobilisation and utilisation of the climate fund.
In fact, better access to GCF is the main challenge for Bangladesh. For that matter, transparency and accountability in spending climate funds would help the country attract foreign funds in future to combat the effects of climate change.
