Climate Change, Environment Climate Change, Environment and Bangladesh’s and Bangladesh’s Development:Development:Scope of CollaborationScope of Collaboration

Bangladesh Delegation4 March 2010

Environmental DegradationEnvironmental Degradation

Degradation of land, wetland and water bodies

Loss of forests Biodiversity lossArsenic contamination in ground waterSurface water pollution due to discharge of

untreated industrial effluents as well as sewage

Air pollution, particularly in urban areasSolid waste disposal problems in cities and

townsSalinity intrusion in coastal zones

Bangladesh and Climate ChangeBangladesh and Climate Change

Bangladesh: a victim of adverse impacts of Climate Change

Two-pronged approach by Bangladesh: Vigorously taking part in the international

negotiations Preparing itself at home for necessary

domestic action.

The cornerstones of all actions, international or domestic, are to ensure security of food, water, energy and, livelihood (including health).

Drought, Floods, Cyclones likely to exacerbate in future due to climate change. Country still reeling from devastation due to Cyclone Aila.Disaster risk reduction strategy need strengthening.

Water logging

Drought

Flood

Cyclone Storm surge, salinity

Bank erosion

Hazards Bangladesh Hazards Bangladesh faces faces

Bank Erosion

Impact of Extreme Climate Impact of Extreme Climate EventsEvents

Embankment breached during Aila

Impact of Extreme Climate Impact of Extreme Climate EventsEvents

Internal Migration due to Loss of Internal Migration due to Loss of LivelihoodsLivelihoods

People migrate from Kalabogi Village, Dacope

Climate Induced Climate Induced ChallengesChallenges

Country largely food secure – but limits of rice cultivation reached in dry period with ground water irrigation

Arsenic contamination poses major threat to health

Paradigm shift to wet period crop has been prioritised

Two dimensional problem for dry season:Salinity intrusion and drought

Climate Induced Challenges Climate Induced Challenges ….….

Proper management of water resources including river flow & implementation of National Water Management Plan

Enhancing coastal defence system Community-based disaster risk reductionIncreased risks to human health and

nutritionSafeguarding infrastructureEnsuring livelihoodsAddressing climate induced

displacements

Overview of Initiatives Overview of Initiatives UndertakenUndertaken

High level of awareness among people7000 km Coastal Embankments 2700 Cyclone sheltersEarly warning system for cyclones and

floods42000 volunteers in coastal areasCoastal Green Belt through AfforestationSalinity and submergence tolerant rice,

shorter maturity rice developedNAPA prepared in 2005Climate Change Trust Fund establishedBangladesh Climate Change Strategy and

Action Plan (BCCSAP) prepared in 2009

BCCSAP-2009BCCSAP-2009

Laid out Bangladesh’s possible responses to impacts of climate change

6 thematic areas: 44 programme areas Research & Knowledge Management

one of the key themes

Research, Knowledge Research, Knowledge Management & Capacity Management & Capacity BuildingBuilding

Continuous research, monitoring and knowledge management and development and transfer of technology

Multi-disciplinary human resources development

Institutional development & harmonisation Collaboration and knowledge sharing

among institutions

Research CapacitiesResearch Capacities

National Agricultural Research System (NARS)

Universities Research and Development InstitutesNGOs and Think Tanks

Govt. keen to enhance further the research capabilities

Challenges in Research Challenges in Research

Still large gaps in researchLack of Knowledge base and technical

competenceInsufficient Climate, Impact and Socio-

Economic Modelling capabilitiesInadequate financial support Lack of assistance in technology

development, update and transfer (Adaptation and Mitigation)

Collaboration OpportunitiesCollaboration Opportunities

Enhanced incentives for researchersCreating a platform for scientific and policy

focused researchCommunicating research findings to

stakeholders