By Karisma Amjad
PhD Fellow, Institute of Social Welfare and Research, University of Dhaka, Dhaka (Bangladesh)
(2022). Light & Composition University Press Academic Journal, 13, 1-25
Published Year: 2022
Volume: 13
Page Number: 1-25
ISSN: 2039-3709
Reviewers
Professor Nasrul Eam
Dr. Kanti Ananta Nuzhat
Tanzim Bhuyan
Bangladesh faces significant climate change vulnerability due to its low-lying topography, deltaic location on the Bay of Bengal, and dense population. This study investigates the nation’s vulnerability to climate change impacts, focusing on challenges such as reduced freshwater availability, surface drainage congestion, sea level rise, increased flooding, and coastal storms. Examining the roles of governmental organizations and non-governmental organizations in addressing these challenges, the research analyzes their current efforts, identifies shortcomings, and proposes improvements. Emphasizing the importance of effective collaboration, the study explores how resource and expertise sharing can enhance coping mechanisms and facilitate sustainable development. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research utilizes documentation, content analysis, and field data collected from fifteen GOs and NGOs actively engaged in climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives. Findings reveal that while numerous organizations are working towards addressing climate change challenges, a lack of coordination hinders their overall effectiveness. The study advocates for strategic partnerships, emphasizing the sharing of experiences, ideas, and resources, leveraging international and experiential knowledge, and fostering community involvement as crucial elements in building resilience and achieving sustainable development goals in the face of a changing climate.
Sustainable Development and Climate Change: Evaluation of GO-NGO Activities
Bangladesh is one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world and will become even more so as a result of climate change. Floods, tropical cyclones, storm surges, and droughts are likely to become more frequent and severe in the coming years. These changes will threaten the significant achievements Bangladesh has made over the last 20 years in increasing incomes and reducing poverty and will make it more difficult to achieve the SDGs.
Over the last 35 years, the Government of Bangladesh, with the support of development partners, has invested over $10 billion to make the country less vulnerable to natural disasters. These investments include flood management schemes, coastal polders, cyclone and flood shelters, and the raising of roads and highways above flood level. In addition, the Government of Bangladesh has developed state-of-the-art warning systems for floods, cyclones and storm surges and is expanding community-based disaster preparedness. Climate resilient varieties of rice and other crops have also been developed.
Bangladesh now faces the challenge of scaling up these investments to create a suitable environment for the country’s economic and social development and to secure the well-being of our people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable groups, including women and children. The Government of Bangladesh aims to eradicate poverty and achieve economic and social well-being for all the people (MoEF, 2008).
The climate change in Bangladesh creates insecurities for food, water, life, property, settlement, livelihood assets, livelihoods and others. Climatic impacts reduce securities directly and indirectly. Environmental degradation, degradation of land resources ultimately reduces food securities, health securities etc and at same time increases conflicts securities, health securities etc and at the same time increases conflicts over resources and livelihood persuasions (Irish Aid, 2006).
The risk of climate change issues have become a serious threat to the lives, livelihoods and sustainable development of Bangladesh. It is predicted that by the year 2030, an additional 14.3% of the country would become extremely vulnerable to floods, while the existing flood prone areas will face higher levels of flooding. Analysis of past floods suggests that, about 26% of the country is subject to annual flooding and an additional 42% is at risk of floods with varied intensity (IPCC, 2002).
On the other hand, it has been predicted that by 2030 and 2050 at least 30 and 50 cm sea level will rise respectively this may seriously affect Bangladesh (World Bank, 2000). The resent report shows that if 25 cm sea level rises then 40 percent of Sundarban will be submerged. Climate change will also exacerbate saline intrusion through several means such as the intrusion of the saline waterfront in the rivers, saline water interface in the groundwater aquifers, and percolation from the increased saline surface waters into the ground water systems and increased storm surges, which carry seawater inland.
Some coping strategies generally reduce the adverse impacts on the system due to climate change vulnerable- temperature, rainfall, sea level rise, extreme events and other secondary various. For example, through different techniques and technologies artificial management of temperature such as the use of wet jute bags over the shade for poultry and livestock, use of exhaust fans (during hot weather), electric bulbs for heating the room (in winter season) is common (MoEF, 2005). Long- term, mid-term and short-term better strategies or adapting modes should be taken for the development of the existing living beings. There are government, non- government and international organizations, academicians, researchers, etc working for this purpose. The resources, skills and expertise of this partnership platform will facilitate to strengthen the capacity of all in general that is the entire population of this country and or all the citizens of this earth. There are projects/ activities with a planning horizon of 30 year or less, while few have a planning horizon of 50 years or more (World Bank, 2000).
Adaptation and mitigation are considered as the main strategies to deal with climate change. Earlier experts had advocated that adaptation was the only mean by which poor, vulnerable countries such as Bangladesh can face the onslaught of adaptation and mitigation to successfully and comprehensively deal with climate change.
So it is easily imaginable that challenges of climate change effects the people of Bangladesh. This study is significant because of how GO and NGO worked on climate change and evaluate what approach they used for their projects and identifies the major climate change related problems. On the other hand this study provides direction on how the potential effects of climate change and adaptation options can be factored into policy making. Besides, researchers have also realized the importance of increasing awareness regarding the science of climate change and its associated impacts. Hence awareness raising and capacity building have to be integrated along with adaptation and mitigation activities to make them more effective.
Principle Objective
The principle objective of this study is to know the approaches of the GO-NGO activities for the challenges of climate change.
Specific Objectives of this Study
As stated earlier, the objectives of the study are to learn about the experiences of GOs and NGOs regarding climate change. In this study, qualitative description or experience becomes the basis. So, the researcher decided to use qualitative approaches so that the participants, GOs and NGOs, could clearly share their experiences from their own perspectives.
In order to understand what the specific practices approach leads local NGOs and GO to facilitate in the communities, there is a need to identify when and how they provide their work or activities. The main research method is based on both qualitative and quantitative methods. The principal data collection method used was documentation and content analysis. Research site selections depend on the general information collected from the documentation survey, but fifteen GOs and NGOs were selected for field data which are working on climate change. The research goal is to identify not only the approaches of the GO-NGO activities for the challenges of climate change but also the lack of those approaches and the strategies used to address the challenges. The researcher follows a thematic analysis process and employs the data triangulation method to have a thick description.
Area of the Study
This research aims to study the approach of GO and NGOs who are working on climate change in Bangladesh. In this research, 85 organizations were selected from thousands of GO and NGOs in Bangladesh. It was not a representative selection, yet it tried to represent the actual approaches of the GO-NGO activities for the challenges of climate change and the lack of those approaches between them and how they will provide solutions to overcome that problem.
Population of the Study
In this research all organizations, GO and NGOs those who are working on climate change in Bangladesh has been selected as the population of the study. The participant organizations have different aims, mission, vision, objectives and approaches for their respective field about climate change.
Sample of the study
The present study has been conducted on fifteen respondent organizations of respective field about climate change organizations. In this Study purposive sampling methods were used. This study has conducted the interviews through acquaintances. Because it was not so easy to make an interviews with the respondents without informing the organization about the study concern. The interview was conducted as pre appointment at a selected place in a particular time of the day.
Data Collection
For this study both primary and secondary data were collected, secondary data has been collected from different journal, papers, books, literatures and media. Such important sources of secondary data were as follows:
-United Nations information Center (UNIC) for UNDP reports on human development, UN policies regarding climate change, IPCC policies etc.
– Environment Development (Agargaon, Sher-e- Bangla Nagar) library, for collecting most recent data relating to climate change, disaster, GO and NGOs policies, program and initiatives regarding the people of Bangladesh.
– Disaster Management Bureau Information Center for publication, Journal and documents related to climate change.
– Climate change unit (CCU) at Ban Vhavan for publication, Journal and documents related to climate change.
– international Union for Convention for Nature (IUCN) and their library not only for collecting most recent data but also publication, Journal and documents related to climate change.
– The Fourth Assessment Repot of the IPCC, 2007, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
– There were also used of Newspapers and internet as the secondary sources of data
In order to get a benchmark idea about the participant organizations I have sent the survey questionnaire to the listed organizations with the data collection tool and inquired the concerned personal to fill up the Data Sheet.
Development of Data collection Tools (Questionnaire Survey)
A format for collection of data from the selected organizations was prepared. The topics to be questioned have been numbered in it. The climate change issues, number and type of projects which have been taken by the different organizations in the past and present and also will be taken in the near future has been enlisted.
The research critically examine the climate change approaches which resort by GO and NGOs activities in Bangladesh. The findings of the study revealed that in order to better fight with the change working with development partners, collaboration and commitment is needed.
5.1. Overview of Stakeholders on Climate Change Issues (Adaptation and Mitigation) in Bangladesh
The number of organizations of different types in given is table 5.1. It is shows that the NGOs are more active on climate change issues in Bangladesh in terms of number of organizations involved followed by government organizations.
Table 5.1: List and Type of Organization working on Climate Change Issues (Adaptation and Mitigation)
| Type and Number of Organization | |
| Type | Number |
| Government Organizations | 16 |
| Non- Government Organizations | 40 |
| Development Organization | 17 |
| Research Institution/ Academic Organizations | 12 |
| Total | 85 |
5.2. Climate Change Projects (Adaptation and Mitigation) Implementing Areas in Bangladesh
Climate change activities in Bangladesh which are government organizations, NGOs, research/ academic institutes cannot cover all sectors of Bangladesh. These organizations are concentrated in a few areas are situated at North-North-West regions which cover Rangpur, Thakugaon, Dinajpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Rajshahi etc areas. The other major project (climate change) implementing areas are situated at Eastern part of Bangladesh that can cover costal part of Bangladesh.
Table 5.2: Distribution of areas according to climate change related projects (Adaptation and Mitigation) in Bangladesh
| Regions | Number of implemented climate change projects respective to different parts of Bangladesh |
| SSW ( South- South- West) | 31 |
| NNW ( North- North- west) | 42 |
| Center | 64 |
| East | 79 |
Figure 5.2: Area distribution According to the number of implemented climate change projects/Programmes/ Research activities in Bangladesh
5.3. Head office of participant Organizations working for Climate Change Issues (Adaptation and Mitigation)
The present study include fifteen organizations who has been working for climate change, adaptation and mitigation. In this Study purposive sampling methods were used. Department of Environment, Climate Change Cell (CCC) And BIDS situated in Agargon, Dhaka-1207. On the other hand, Climate Change Unit, Ban Vhaban; CDMP, Disaster Management & Relief Division and NIPSOM positioned at Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212. In contrast, NGO Forum located in Lalmatia, Mohammmadpur, Dhaka. On the contrary, placed of IUCN at Banani, road #2A; CNRS at Banani, road# 17 and WORPRO at Banani, road# 1. In addition, BCAS, CEGIS, BDPC and AAI placed at Gulshan#1. Besides, NaCom and CPRD to be found at Niketon, Gulshan#1. Quite the opposite of Gramen Phone, Located at Baridhara, Dhaka. The map shows the physical location of the head office of participant organizations.
Figure 5.3: Head office of participant Organizations working for Climate Change Issues (Adaptation and Mitigation)
5.4. Climate Change Issues and Most Vulnerable Sectors
The participant organizations were asked to list the most vulnerable sectors to climate change and the impacts/ issues that they felt was relevant to the sector. According to the respondents the identified vulnerable sectors were agriculture, health, water and sanitation, natural resources, social aspects, economy, forestry, fishery, communication and transport. The climate change issues according to the response importantly were air pollution, cyclone, flood, drought, sea level rise (SLR), salinity intrusion, global warming, seasonal variability, rain fall, deforestation, land slide/ land Subsidence, Industrialization, tidal surge, cold weave, urbanization, infrastructure development, geographical location of Bangladesh, siltation, erosion, storm/tornado. Not all the issues are relevant for all sectors. The table 5.4 shows the impact of each of these issues on the various sectors.
Table 5.4: Number of organizations mentioning most vulnerable sectors due to climate change
| Vulnerable Sector | Cyclone | Flood | Drought | SLR (sea level rise) | SI (salinity intrusion) | SV (seasonal Variability) |
| Agriculture | 14 | 30 | 18 | 16 | 21 | 13 |
| Communication | 13 | 19 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Env. impact | 17 | 27 | 21 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Social Impact | 15 | 23 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 16 |
| Economic impact | 19 | 29 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 21 |
| Fishery | 13 | 30 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 10 |
| Forestry | 19 | 31 | 20 | 13 | 18 | 12 |
| Health | 19 | 30 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 14 |
| WATSAN | 9 | 24 | 18 | 13 | 8 | 8 |
To get a clear picture of the impacts of the different issues on the sectors identified, a sector wise analysis was carried out. The analysis examined each of the impacts in terms of their relevance to each sector. Here the explanation of short terms are – SLR= sea level rise, SI= salinity intrusion, SV= seasonal Variability.
Table 5.4.1: Percentage of response organizations for different climate change issues on respective vulnerable sectors
| Vulnerable Sector | % of response organizations mentioning vulnerable sectors due to climate change | |||||
| Cyclone | Flood | Drought | SLR (sea level rise) | SI (salinity intrusion) | SV (seasonal Variability) | |
| Agriculture | 16.47 | 35.29 | 21.17 | 18.82 | 24.70 | 15.29 |
| Communication | 15.12 | 22.35 | 11.76 | 9.41 | 0 | 0 |
| Env. Impact | 20 | 31.76 | 24.70 | 14.12 | 0 | 0 |
| Social Impact | 17.64 | 27.05 | 18.82 | 14.12 | 14.12 | |
| Economic impact | 22.35 | 34.12 | 21.18 | 22.35 | 20 | 24.70 |
| Fishery | 15.12 | 35.29 | 23.52 | 27.05 | 28.23 | 11.76 |
| Forestry | 22.35 | 36.47 | 23.52 | 15.12 | 21.17 | 14.12 |
| Health | 22.35 | 35.29 | 23.52 | 15.12 | 15.12 | 16.47 |
| WATSAN | 10.59 | 28.23 | 21.17 | 15.12 | 9.41 | 9.41 |
Agriculture
The issues that the respondent organizations mentioned as having impact on agriculture were cyclone, flood, drought, sea level rise, salinity intrusion, seasonal variability, rain fall, tidal surge and cold wave. According to results of survey the respondent organizations identified the most crucial issues for agriculture. 35.29% of the respondent organizations identified flood as having the most impact on agriculture while 24.70 % of the respondent organizations singled out salinity intrusion and 21.17% mentioned about drought.
Chart / Figure 5.4:1.a: Agriculture
Communication
About 22.35%of respondent organizations opined flood as the main issue most adversely affecting the communication systems of the country. Cyclone was identified by 15.12%respondent organizations as one of the main events that affect communication. Drought and SLR also affect communications system of the country.
Chart / Figure 5.4:1.b: Communication
Natural Resources
Natural Resources (soil, water, air, biodiversity, ecosystem etc) are very susceptible to climate change calamities. According to the survey, flood (31.76%) has come out as the highest impact generating concern followed by drought (24.70%) and then cyclone (20%).
Chart / Figure 5.4:1.c: Natural Resources
Social Impact
In Bangladesh, a hefty segment of our society is affected by adverse impacts of climate change issues mainly due to poverty, lack of education and awareness. 27.05% the respondents accepted the flood exerts the maximum impact to social actives. Other impact issues are cyclone, SLR, Sl and to some extent rainfall.
Chart / Figure 5.4:1.d: Social Impact
Economic Impact
Some experts believe that climate change in the 21st century could bring on a global economic disaster like Great Depression (1930). The largest climate change issue that hampers economic growth in Bangladesh is flood (34.12%). The second most hazardous issue, according to respondent organizations, is drought (21.18%) followed by cyclone (22.35%) and SI. The other issues are SLR, SV over/less rainfall and tidal surge etc.
Chart / Figure 5.4:1.e: Economic Impact
Fishery
A large portion of the population of the population depends on fisheries sector for their livelihoods. This sector is threatened by a number of natural and man- made calamities. Among them climate change is one of the factors responsible for production loss in fisheries sector. From the survey it was observed that flood situation (35.29%) is the main climatic issue affecting fishing activities. Moreover, salinity intrusion (28.23%) and SLR (27.05%) are responsible for second and third highest adverse impact on fisheries sectors. Salinity intrusion is most harmful to aquatic biodiversity, agriculture and freshwater resources. Remaining issues liable to cause undesirable impacts on fisheries are cyclone (15.12%), drought (23.52%) and seasonal vulnerability (11.76%).
Chart / Figure 5.4:1.f: Fishery
Forestry
Forestry and tree cover are an important part of our landscape and provides many benefits to society and creates an environmental balance. According to the analysis of the survey, flood (36.47%) has a major impact on forest resources. The next events are drought (23.52%), cyclone (22.35%) and salinity intrusion (21.17%). The other factors are SLR (15.12%) and seasonal variability (14.12%).
Chart / Figure 5.4:1.g: Forestry
Health
Climate change is a significant and emerging threat to public health. The most vulnerable climate change issues corresponding to health are flood (35.29%) followed by drought (23.52%) and cyclone (22.35%). Others are salinity intrusion, rainfall, SLR etc.
Chart / Figure 5.4:1.h: Health
Water and Sanitation
Water resources is probably the most climate change affected sector. Climate change has already caused serious soft water scarcity especially in the coastal areas due to salinity intrusion. 28.23% the respondents identified flood as having the highest impact on water and sanitation, with drought (21.17%) as being the second.
Chart / Figure 5.4:1.i: Water and Sanitation
5.5. Sectors of Interests of Different Stakeholders to Address Climate Change in Bangladesh
5.5.1. Adaptation to Climate Change
According to the data collected through the questionnaire survey and personal communication most of the NGOs and the government organizations prefer to work in the agriculture sector while development partners and research institutes are leaning more towards the water sector. However, the government organizations, NGOs, development partners and research/academic institutions are mainly interested to work on agriculture, water, health, fisheries and forestry sectors. In addition, non-government organizations are show interested to work on agriculture, water, health, fisheries and forestry sectors. They also show their interest in sector of livelihood, education, infrastructure, disaster risk reduction etc. On the other hand, different government organizations are interested to their relevant sectors.
Table 5.5.1: Number of stakeholders on different sector of interests under adaptation aspects to address climate change
| Sector of interest | Stakeholders on different sectors for adaptation | ||
| Non- Government Organizations | Development partners | Research/ Academic Institutions | |
| Water | 23 | 7 | 10 |
| Agriculture | 27 | 4 | 8 |
| Health | 16 | 4 | 6 |
| Fisheries | 3 | 2 | |
| Forestry | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Other Sectors | 20 | 4 | 5 |
The findings of the survey represent that the government organizations have completed or carrying out about 38 adaptation projects in our country. Maximum number of projects (11) deals with agriculture sector. So far the survey has showed that the government has only 1 project for disaster management, but it is important to know that this is an extensive Disaster Management Progaramme (CDMP) carried out under the guidance of the Ministry of Disaster Management and funded by UNDP, DFID.
Table 5.5.1.a.b.c: Percentage of stakeholders on different sectors of interests under adaptation aspects to address climate change
| Sector of interest | % of Stakeholders on different sectors for adaptation | ||
| Non- Government Organizations | Development partners | Research/ Academic Institutions | |
| Water | 27.05 | 8.24 | 11.76 |
| Agriculture | 31.76 | 4.70 | 9.41 |
| Health | 18.82 | 4.70 | 7.05 |
| Fisheries | 3.52 | 2.35 | 0 |
| Forestry | 4.70 | 2.35 | 1.17 |
| Other Sectors | 23.52 | 4.70 | 5.88 |
Chart / Figure: 5.5.1.a.b.c: Percentage of stakeholders on different sectors of interests under adaptation aspects to address climate change
Table 5.5.1.a.b.c. shows the percentage of stakeholder’s interest in different sectors on adaptation aspects to address climate change in the country. It is important to note that this analysis has excluded the government organizations since they only work in their respective sectors. NGO’s, development partners and research institutions are eager to work in multiple sectors simultaneously and the table shows the percentages of organization’s interest in different sectors. It represents that over 27.05% of the NGOs are interested in water sectors while 31.76% in agriculture. On the other hand, 8.24% are interested to work on water sector and less than 4.70% of the same group is in agriculture. Over 11.76% RI/AIs are eager to work on water sector while less than 4.70% are interested in agriculture. But many of the stakeholders showed their interests to work on other sectors including livelihood, education, water management etc (details in table 5.5.1.a.b.c.).
5.5.2. Mitigation Activities
Table 5.5.2 highlights the sector wise number of interested stakeholders under mitigation aspects to address climate change in Bangladesh. According to the survey and data analysis, the NGOs are again more interested than the other organizations in mitigation. It shows that the same number 6 of NGOs and DPs were interested on energy sectors while only 4 RI/AI were interested for the same. On the other hand, only 1 DP showed interest on agricultural sector under mitigation aspects while the number of NGOs for the same sector was 14. Only few organizations were interested to work on transport sectors.
Table 5.5.2: Number of stakeholders on different sectors of interest under mitigation aspects to address climate change in Bangladesh
| Sector of Interest | Stakeholders on different sectors for mitigation | ||
| Non- Government Organizations | Development partners | Research/ Academic Institutions | |
| Energy | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| Forestry | 7 | 3 | 3 |
| Agriculture | 14 | 1 | 2 |
| Transport | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Table 5.5.2.d.e.f: Percentage of stakeholders on different sectors of interest under mitigation aspects to address climate change in Bangladesh
| Sector of Interest | % of Stakeholders on different sectors for mitigation | ||
| Non- Government Organizations | Development partners | Research/ Academic Institutions | |
| Energy | 7.05 | 7.05 | 4.70 |
| Forestry | 8.24 | 3.52 | 3.52 |
| Agriculture | 16.47 | 1.17 | 2.23 |
| Transport | 2.23 | 1.17 | 2.23 |
Chart / Figure 5.5.2.d.e.f: Percentage of stakeholders on different sectors of interest under mitigation aspects to address climate change in Bangladesh
Table 5.5.2.d.e.f. shows the percentage of stakeholder’s interest in different sectors on mitigation aspects to address climate change. It shows that only 7.05% of NGOs are interested in energy sectors and about 8.24% are for forestry. On the other hand, 7.05% of DPs are interested to work on energy sector while 3.52% of the same group is in forestry. It is noticeable that most of the research and academic institutions are interested in energy sector (details in table 5.5.2.d.e.f.).
5.6. Reasons for Interests in Different Sectors
The reason for choosing activities varies for different issues of various organizations. For instance:
Adaptation in Water Sector: Some organizations mentioned that adaptation activities in water sector are their institutional mandate. They believe that water sector is more vulnerable than other sector and badly affected by climate change. Hence they designed their projects to look into issues such as empowerment of community, ensuring safe drinking water, creating policy dialogue between government, stakeholders and researches etc.
Mitigation activity for Energy Sector: Some organizations have been carrying out mitigation activities in the energy sector since energy sector not only contributes to climate change, but also comparative advantages in mitigation in energy sector are quite high. Energy availability and access is also prerequisite for economic growth and development. Many of the organizations working in this sector because of having interest in renewable energy options, reforming energy policy and also helping the government to develop this sector further.
5.7. Key Stakeholders in Climate Change Issues (Adaptation and Mitigation) in Bangladesh
The analysis of the questionnaire survey has highlighted the key institutions that carry out mitigation and adaptation activities regarding climate change. Among the organizations Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) is the foremost organization working on climate change issues in Bangladesh. DoE comes next. Other organizations mentioned are IUCN, BUET, CEGIS, DNB, IWM, BUP, Action aid and UNDP.
Key Organizations Working with Climate Change are listed below
Table 5.7: List of key institutions/organizations working on climate change issues in Bangladesh
| Sl No: | Name of Organization |
| 1 | BCAS- Bangladesh Climate centre for Advance Studies |
| 2 | DoE- Development of Environment |
| 3 | IUCN- International Union for Conservation of Nature |
| 4 | BUET- Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology |
| 5 | CEGIS- centre for Environment and Geographic Information Service |
| 6 | DMB- Disaster Management Bureau |
| 7 | IWM-Institute of Water Modeling |
| 8 | BUP- Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad |
| 9 | Action Aid Bangladesh |
| 10 | UNDP- United nations Development Program |
On the other hand, 27 regional organizations mentioned that BCAS works on adaptation issues, 15 regional organizations referred to IUCN, 14 spoke of DoE and five regional organizations stated about BUET, CEGIS, IWM, BUP and Action Aid. Regarding mitigation 17 regional organizations named BCAS. DoE was mentioned by 11 of them. Four regional organizations said IUCN takes part, three referred to BUET and two mentioned about CEGIS, IWM and UNDP.
5.8. Key Development Partners in Climate Change Issues (Adaptation and Mitigation) in Bangladesh
Climate change adaptation is necessary to tackle the present problem or anticipated changes in the future, aiming to reduce risk and damage cost-effectively, and perhaps even exploring potential benefits. We may need to take both structural and non-structural measures to face such situation.
It appears that in recent years a number of international agencies and development partners/donors including GEF, DFID/ British High Commission/ British council Bangladesh, UNDP, Danida/ Embassy of Denmark, EC- Bangladesh, JICA, NL, WB, ADB etc are more or less active in supporting both adaptation and mitigation. It shows that some of the mentioned donors provided/ on the process of providing funds to implement at least 24 adaptation projects in Bangladesh. Out of 24, 3 projects have already been completed, 11 are ongoing and the rest of them are on the process.
Brief of some of recent adaptation projects funded by different donors (detail are in annex)
It also appears that about 16 mitigation projects on climate change are supported/being supported by different developing partners. Among them 3 projects are ongoing, 13 projects are in pipeline and there is no completed projects lying on mitigation, in fact, mitigation activities on climate change are a new concept for Bangladesh in terms of implementation and support. Almost all over these activities started at 2007 except “Ozone Depleting Substance Phase-out under montreal protocol” and “Initial National Communication under UNFCCC (INC)” project which were started in 1996 and 2000 respectively. However, some of the development partners for supporting mitigation activities in Bangladesh. Some of the major activities in resent time may include as follows:
5.9. Approaches of Climate Change
I have collected data from fifteen organizations that includes GO and NGOs in this research. Although most of them have some sort of climate change response, only have specific three or four climate change projects. It also shows what kinds of useful activities NGOs are already undertaking – these help alleviate climate change effects even if they are not explicitly labeled ‘climate change’. Climate change gives an opportunity to see how Bangladeshi NGOs adopt new development trends. This research interested in finding out about the climate change Approaches which used by GO and NGOs Activities in Bangladesh.
When asked what kinds of approaches the Go and NGOs needed to work on climate change, typical responses were: working with partners, working with workers or implementing the projects. Another question raises on the same issue how the organization selects the stockholders for this issue or how they select the project. Any response was not the perfect for making the actual answer or findings. On the other hand, it is also crucial to note that most of these GO and NGOs are not in the habit of using the internet for information searches or communication. Official documents are similarly inaccessible.
Community-Based Adaptation (CBA) Approach
CBA approach is especially salient for Bangladeshi NGOs and can be recommended. CBA relies on an organization’s connections with communities to incorporate climate change into long-term community-based, community-owned support (INTRAC, 2010).
CBA programme seeks to encourage systemic change in national adaptation- related policy through evidence based results from a portfolio of community-driven climate change risk management projects. UNDP’s CBA programme officially began implementation in February 2008 (UNDP, 2012).
ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB) has been pursuing projects at several sites across Bangladesh with the goal of piloting a model for participatory, community-based planning for climate change adaptation (AAI, 2012).
CNRS (Center for Natural Resource Studies) is a non-government, non-political development organization formed in 1993 focuses on ecological management of floodplain ecosystem through community-based management approaches (Source: Organizational Profile- CNRS).
Practical Action believes climate change adaptation to meet the needs of local people. Practical Action believes that adaptation must focus on strengthening communities from the bottom up and build on local strategies for coping with climate change (Practical Action, 2013).
Oxfam is undertaking CBA efforts at the local level (Christensen, el at, 2012).
ARCAB conducts and researches Community Based Adaptation (CBA) at locations from five major Ecosystem Zones and one urban site in Bangladesh, working through “action partners”, “research partners”, and “knowledge management partners” (ARCAB, 2013).
In order to provide safe drinking water, Climate Change and Health Promotion Unit (CCHPU) took an attempt to purify water for removing salinity in Satkhira regions. For this purpose, CBA was used (CCHPU, 2013).
Participatory Approach
IUCN believes, the basic approach of the project is participatory and encompassed both the both the top down and bottom-up approaches to development (Rahman, 2010).
CPRD emphasizes participatory and people-centered development by exchanging, transferring and maximizing knowledge among the different actors and stakeholders and, generates innovative ideas, approaches, and appropriate technologies through participatory research developing models, demonstration and implementation (CPRD, 2012).
Integrated Approach
The Climate Change Cell (CCC) established with the objective of “Establishing an Integrated Approach to Climate Change Risk Management at National and Local Levels”. Development and application of a research Strategy for Climate Change and Adaptation for Bangladesh is one of the major activities of CCC (Climate Change Cell, 2013).
Holistic Approach/ Multi- Hazard Approach
CDMP II is driven by a multi- hazard approach to disasters including climate change risk management, to create and nurture the crucial paradigm shift in disaster management, away from relief and rehabilitation and to a more holistic approach towards reducing risks and vulnerabilities Source: Towards Resilience, Reducing the Risk of Disaster and Climate Change, Brochure (CDMP II).
Ecosystem Zone Approach
By taking an ecosystem‐zone approach, ARCAB ensures that lesson‐drawing is undertaken and applied in a systematic way (ARCAB, 2013).
Rights Based Approaches
CARE’s work focuses deliberately and explicitly on people’s efforts to achieve the minimum conditions for living with dignity. They recognize the poor, the displaced and victims of violence as having inherent rights essential to livelihood security – rights that are validated by international law (CARE Bangladesh, 2012).
Proactive Approach
IUCN believes, Climate change represents one of the greatest environmental and health challenges of our times. Bangladesh is one of the most affected counties due to this climate change phenomenon. Apart from government agencies, public health and environmental health workers as well as clinicians should interplay in a nicely poised manner resulting in a proactive approach to combat the grave situation so that we can achieve long range and long lasting prevention of the impact of climate change and its effect on health (Denmark in Bangladesh, 2012).
Open Approach
BAPA and BEN believes, the Open Approach, furthermore, counteracts the river destabilizing effect of climate change by mitigating flood during summer (BAPA and BEN, 2009).
Territorial Approach
The Territorial Approach to Climate Change (TACC) works with local level governments (states, provinces, cities, municipalities) in developing countries and countries in transition to increase resilience to climate change impact and reduce their carbon footprint. The TACC is a partnership of five agencies that includes UNEP, UNDP, UNITAR, UN-Habitat and UNCDF (UNDP, 2011).
Ecocentric Approach
Ecocentric Approach is argued that the natural world should be respected for its processes and products, and that low impact technology and self-reliance is more desirable than technological control of nature (Sustainable Environment, 2012).
Technocentric Approach
Technocentric Approach has absolute faith in technology and industry and firmly believe that humans have control over nature. Although technocentrics may accept that environmental problems do exist, they do not see them as problems to be solved by a reduction in industry (Sustainable Environment, 2012).
5.10. Lesson Learnt during Actions and Implementation of Climate Change Related Projects and Progarmmes: Gaps to be addressed to Reduce Vulnerability of Climate Change
The organizations surveyed stated about their experience, lesson learnt and gaps/barriers during implementation of their climate change program and projects. Their responses have been summarized under following categories:
1. Effective coordination and communication on climate change
2. Resources to implement climate change projects all the grass-root level
3. Climate change integration is crucial for sustainable development
4. Awareness on climate change issues at both policy & community level
5. In- depth research on different sectors including agriculture, water and health etc.
6. Dissemination of best practices and knowledge in light of climate change for national development policies, plan and awareness program
7. National advocacy, training and capacity building from grass root level
8. Networking among GO, NGOs & International organizations on climate change issues
9. Butter understand of micro-geographic, micro-climate, environmental & ecological study
10. Reintroduction of local crop variety and understanding local coping mechanisms
11. Legal frame work on pollution, exotic crops, GMO etc
12. Energy, transport sector need to be should involve in climate change
According to the analysis of data, the following in homestead been highlighted:
5.11. Future Measures/Activities Need to Combat Climate Change
The questionnaire survey also listed some of the projects already in pipeline and some of the future activities that the organizations are planning to take to address climate change. Many of the future measures were suggested by different organization during survey based on characteristics of short-term, medium-term and long-term approaches to climate change mitigation and adaptation. The main measures discussed by the organizations are listed below:
Short-term
Mid-term
Long- term
5.12. Differences of GO and NGO Approaches
| GO | NGO | Future Measures/Activities Need to Combat Climate Change |
| Clear Mission | Not clear but have project based Mission | Mainstreaming climate change issues into sector development |
| Clear Vision | Project based Vision | Generate fund for climate change and disaster management |
| Followed unified objectives | Project based objectives | Awareness and advocacy into deeper climate change issues |
| Mostly followed Community based Approaches | Commonly followed multy disciplinary Approaches | Effective implement existing policy and program |
| Focused Sustainable Development | Project based development | Development of sustainable crop varieties |
| Top down Approaches | Bottom up Approaches | Integrating and coordination with global network on climate change issues |
| Bureaucratic Expert | Participatory Approaches | Networking within people and organizations such as society as civil society, media etc. |
| Work to affair broader goal of development | Compartmentalized beneficiaries development | Research on climate change issue (various sectors including agriculture, water, health etc) |
| Conventional printed policy and planning | Advocacy, empowerment, engagement, involvement, conscientization, Group building | Effective implement existing policy and program |
However, in spite of all these limitations, attempts have been made to elicit the truth by way of thematic analysis of the situation in the light of the empirical data and the study tried to show the present challenges of climate change and the evaluation of GO and NGO activities in Bangladesh.
7.1. Programme Recommendations
7.2. Study Recommendations
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A Homeless on the Sidewalk by Jose Juniel Rivera-Negron