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Class Assignment:Course No- DM-5234Course Title- Global Climate Change: Impacts &Risk Assessment

Climate Change

Mitigation andAdaptation: Bangladeshperspective

Submitted to:Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam,Professor, Dept. of Geography & Environment,University of Dhaka

11/15/2012

Submitted By:S. M. Sihabul Islam

Roll No: 223, Batch-2,MS in Disaster Management, University of Dhaka


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Contents1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 5

2. THE FOUR LAWS OF ECOLOGY .................................................................... 6

3. WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE? .......................................................................... 7

a. Evidence for Global Warming .........................................................................................8

b. The Greenhouse Effect ....................................................................................................9

4. FUTURE CLIMATE CHANGE PREDICTIONS .................................................... 10

1 Temperature ...........................................................................................................10

2 Agriculture ........................................................................................................10

3 Rainfall.........................................................................................................................10

4 Drought......................................................................................................................10

5 Winds ................................................................................................................10

6 Glacier / snow melt.....................................................................................................10

7 Sea Level Rise ............................................................................................................10

.8 Oceans and Seas .....................................................................................................10

9 Biodiversity ................................................................................................................11

10 Economic Cost .......................................................................................................11

11 Conflict .....................................................................................................................11

12. Health & Disease ...................................................................................................11

5. CLIMATE VULNERABILITY OF BANGLADESH .................................................... 11

I. Climate of bangladesh....................................................................................................11

b. Changing in Climate According To BMD:........................................................................12

i. Temperature:..............................................................................................................12

ii. Rainfall: .....................................................................................................................12

iii. Extreme events.........................................................................................................13

iv. Rainfall intensity........................................................................................................13

c. Is Bangladesh vulnerable to these changes?..................................................................13

6. CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION ..................................................................... 15

d. What is Mitigation ............................................................................................15

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e. Climate Change Mitigation Action in Bangladesh...........................................................16

7. CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION ..................................................................... 17

f. What is Adaptation......................................................................................................17

g. Climate Change Adaptation Action in Bangladesh.........................................................18

v. The National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA)....................................................18

vi. Bangladesh Climate Change and Strategy Action Plan (BCCSAP) .............................19

vii. Case-specific population growth control: .................................................................20

viii. Improved disaster zoning: .......................................................................................20

ix. Readjusted national land-use plan:............................................................................20

x. Goal-oriented regional planning: ...............................................................................20

xi. Prevention of ecosystem change and ecosystem loss:..............................................20

xii. Strengthening public awareness: .............................................................................21

xiii. Case-specific skilled labor migration: ......................................................................21

xiv. Global fund for land reclamation projects:...............................................................21

xv. Changes of cropping pattern:...................................................................................21

xvi. Water supply, irrigation, and drainage systems:......................................................22

xvii. Use near-term climate predictions:.........................................................................22

xviii. Research, analysis and data provision about climate change ...............................22

xix. Strengthening of integrated coastal zone management (ICZM)...............................22

h. Examples of some projects to realize adaptation in Bangladesh include:.....................23

i. Community Based Adaptation in Bangladesh:................................................................23

j. Conflict-sensitive adaptation...........................................................................................24

k. Different Adaptation Strategies as discussed in Sixth five year action plan...................24

8. Bangladesh Position At Climate Negotiation .................................................. 25

l. Bangladesh Position On Mitigation And Nama.................................................................25

m. On Enhanced Action on Adaptation...............................................................................26

9. Finance for Climate change adaptation and Mitigation in Bangladesh: ............ 28

n. BANGLADESH CLIMATE CHANGE TRUST FUND (CCTF) ..................................................28

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o. Bangladesh Climate Resilience Fund (BCCRF) ...............................................................28

p. Multilateral Funds:.........................................................................................................29

q. Bilateral Funds: .............................................................................................................29

10. Concluding Remarks ................................................................................ 29

11. References: ................................................................................................ 30

1.INTRODUCTION

It would be a serious catastrophe for Our country and for the whole region if much of the land

in Bangladesh disappears under the sea. We become frightened to think that our grandchildren

will have no place to live on this planet earth. We really want to be sure that they, and their

children after them, will be able to enjoy the beauty of our country that we have enjoyed.

However, what is now certain is that changes in climate have already devastated the lives ofpoor people all over the world whether through disasters, disease, drought, famine or flood and

that these apocalyptic forces will intensify over the coming decades if nothing is done to reduce

the emission of greenhouse gases. The morality of global warming or climate change, or

environmental degradation, is really quite simple. We now have sufficient information to know

that environmental degradation is destructive; it steals from future generations, it penalizes the

poor, it is exaggerated by greed, it puts diversity at risk. Environmental pollution hurts all of

life; it is in the interest of every living thing for human beings to do something about it .

It is broadly recognized that Bangladesh is very vulnerable to these changes because it is low-

lying, located on the Bay of Bengal in the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna and

densely populated. Its national economy strongly depends on agriculture and natural resourcesthat are sensitive to climate change and sea level rise.

Bangladesh is among the least responsible countries for polluting stratosphere with GHG but it is

the worst recipient of stress from the climatic perturbations The Bali Action Plan makes it clear

that the developing countries(like Bangladesh ) responsibilities and actions have to be looked at

within the framework of sustainable development. Bangladesh, in subsequent submission

regarding how to operationalize the Bali Action Plan, has put it in terms of ensuring four types of

security. These are food security, water security, energy security and livelihood security

(including health).

The Government of Bangladeshs Vision is to eradicate poverty and achieve economic and social

well-being for all the people. This will be achieved through a pro-poor Climate Change

Management Strategy, which prioritizes adaptation and disaster risk reduction, and also

addresses low carbon development, mitigation, technology transfer and the mobilization and

international provision of adequate finance.

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Former US Vice-President Al Gore (2006), stated: If you believe in prayer, pray that people

will find the strength to change (in response to climate change) and then quoted an

African proverb:When you pray move your feet!

2.THE FOUR LAWS OF ECOLOGY

Over thirty-five years ago, American ecologist Commoner (1971) proposed Four Laws of

Ecology in his book entitled The Closing Circle. According to Commoner, an effort has been

made to develop this view [i.e., the laws] from available facts, through logical relations, into a

set of comprehensive generalizations. These general observations about nature, proffered as

laws, were proposed before global warming had become generally recognized as a major

problem for society, for climate and the environment. Commoners laws have, however, proven

useful when discussing adaptation and mitigation strategies to cope with climate change and

food security in a sustainability context:

1st Law Everything is Connected to Everything Else.

The system is stabilized by its dynamic self-compensating properties; these same properties, if

overstressed, can lead to a dramatic collapse .

2nd Law Everything Must Go Somewhere.

One of the chief reasons for the present environmental crisis is that great amounts of materials

have been extracted from the earth, converted into new forms, and discharged into the

environment without taking into account that everything has to go somewhere.

3rd Law Nature Knows Best.

The third law of ecology holds that any major man-made change in a natural system is likely to

be detrimental to that system (p. 37).

4th Law There Is No Such Thing as a Free Lunch .

In ecology, as in economics, the law is intended to warn that every gain is won at some loss (p.

42).

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3. WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?

Climate change is a natural process related to the edogenic, exogenic and astronomical

process of the universe (class lecture).

Climate is simply the weather that is dominant or normal in a particular region; the term climate

includes temperature, rainfall and wind patterns. Geography, global air and sea currents, treecover, global temperatures and other factors influence the climate of an area, which causes the

local weather.

The earths climate has always varied naturally, in the past cooler cycles due to variations in the

earths orbit round the sun, sunspot activity or volcanic eruptions, have altered the climate.

However, large changes have been very gradual over huge time periods; nevertheless they are

still blamed for the extinction of the dinosaurs. What is new is that humans are now, due to

pollution from industrial processes and wasteful lifestyles directly influencing the climate of the

earth. Human influence is now believed to be changing the climate much faster than occurring

in the past under natural processes.

Scientific evidence that humans were changing the climate first emerged in the internationalpublic arena in 1979 at the First World Climate Conference (Depledge & Lamb 2005). But by

1988 when the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was formed the dangerous

consequences of climate change became clearer (Houghton, 2007).

The foremost evidence for recently most discussing worldwide climate change has been global

warming. For the Northern Hemisphere temperatures during the second half of the 20th century

were higher than during any other 50-year period in the last 500 years and probably in the last

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1,300 years. In addition eleven of the last twelve years (19952006) rank among the 12 warmest

years in the instrumental record of global surface temperature began in 1850.

A. EVIDENCE FOR GLOBAL WARMING

It has been suspected for the last

40 years that human activity has

been altering the earth s climate.

To confirm whether this was trueor not the Intergovernmental

Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

was set up by the World Meteorological

Organization and the United Nations

Environment Programme(UNEP),

producing its first assessment report in

1990 (Depledge & Lamb 2005).

Hundreds of scientists from many

countries across the world review

thousands of published scientific articlesthat include research using advanced

mathematical modeling to predict future

changes, as well as research monitoring historical and current changes in climate, in order to

produce the IPCC assessments. Furthermore the work of the IPCC is backed by the worldwide

scientific community, as well as being endorsed by all major world governments (Houghton,

2005).

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As research has accumulated on climate change, scientists have become more and more certain

that global warming is happening and clearer as to its effects.

The Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC published in 2007 stated that: Most of the observed

increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the

observed increase inanthropogenic (human

caused) greenhouse gas

concentrations , while

the observed widespread

warming of the

atmosphere and ocean,

together with ice mass

loss, support the

conclusion that it is

extremely unlikely thatglobal climate change of

the past 50 years can be

explained without external

forcing (outside human influence), and very likely that it is not due to known natural causes

alone (Alley et al, 2007).

The strength of the evidence presented by the IPCC is such that very few policy makers or

academics now deny the realities of global warming.

B. THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT

The Greenhouse Effect is a natural process through which

various gasses and water vapor in the atmosphere affects the

earths climate. It is so named because it acts like a glass

greenhouse for plants by preventing the incoming heat from the

sun from leaving causing warming of the earth just as the inside

of a greenhouse warms.

The earths climate is driven by this continuous flow of energy

from the sun, mainly in the form of visible light. About 30% is immediately scattered back into

space, but most of the remaining 70% passes down through the atmosphere to warm the earths

surface. Being much cooler than the sun, the earth give out energy by emitting heat in the form

of infrared or thermal radiation. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere block this infrared radiation

from escaping directly from the surface to space (Williams 2002). By absorbing infra-red or heat

radiation from the earths surface, greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere, such as water

vapour and CO2, act as blankets over the earths surface, keeping it warmer than it would

otherwise be.

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Fi ure : IPCC Re orts at a lance.


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4. FUTURE CLIMATE CHANGE PREDICTIONS

1 TEMPERATURE

Latest IPCC predictions from their Fourth Assessment Report reveal that for the next twenty

years warming at a rate of 0.2 C per decade is expected. While by the year 2100 best estimates

predict between a 1.8 C and 4 C rise in average global temperature, although it could possiblybe as high as 6.4 C (Alley et al, 2007).

2 AGRICULTURE

Agriculture is the most vulnerable sector as its productivity totally depends on climatic factors

like temperature, rainfall, light intensity, radiation and sunshine duration, which are predicted to

be erratic.

3 RAINFALL

Water availability Increased in moist tropics and high latitudes. Decreased water availability and

drought in mid-latitudes and semi-arid low latitudes

4 DROUGHTClimate change will alter patterns of water availability by intensifying the water cycle. Droughts

and floods will become more severe in many areas.

5 WINDS

According to the IPCC future tropical cyclones will become stronger, with faster wind speeds

(Alley et al, 2007). Warmer ocean temperatures will increase the frequency and intensity of such

storms (Williams, 2002). Storm routes are also predicted to move poleward, which will mean

changes in wind, precipitation and temperature patterns (Alley et al, 2007)

6 GLACIER/ SNOW MELT

Snow cover and glaciers will continue to melt more rapidly, reducing in size. Widespread

increases in thaw depth are projected over most permafrost (frozen ground) regions (Alley et al,

2007).

7 SEA LEVEL RISE

Global warming has raised and will continue to raise sea level due to thermal expansion (warmer

water takes up more space) of the

oceans and the melting of ice stored

in glaciers or ice sheets (floating sea

ice being lighter than water sits on

the sea surface and when it melts it

increases the seas volume causingsea level rise).

.8 OCEANS AND

SEAS

Climate change will also alter ocean

circulation patterns, (the vertical

mixing of waters and wave patterns).

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These changes can be expected to affect biological productivity (such as fish populations), the

availability of nutrients, and the ecological structure and functions of marine ecosystems.

Changing ocean temperatures could also cause geographical shifts in biodiversity,

9 BIODIVERSITY

Biological diversity the source of enormous environmental, economic, and cultural value will be

threatened by climate change. The composition and geographic distribution of ecosystems will

change as individual species respond to new conditions created by climate change.

10 ECONOMIC COST

The monetary cost of climate change is expected to be very high; this means it will reduce

economic output measured in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). With 2 C to 3 C warming

which is expected by 2100 there could be a loss of global GDP as high as 3%, but with 5-6 C of

global warming into the next century global GDP could be reduced by 5-10%.

C.C. conditions costing Bangladeshs national economy 1% of the GDP annually for over

the last decade.

11 CONFLICTFields (2005) with reference to the Biblical book of Revelation stated: When the apocalyptic

horsemen of famine and pestilence appear, war cant be far behind . He was highlighting the

link between war and the reduction of resources in an area through disasters such as drought

caused famines or pest attack on crops that can occur due to a changing climate

12. HEALTH & DISEASE

Climate change is expected to have wide-ranging consequences for human health. For the health

of communities depends on sufficient food, safe drinking water, comfortable homes, good social

conditions, and a suitable environmental and social setting for controlling infectious diseases. All

of these factors can be affected by climate (Williams, 2002).

UNFCCC identifies two separate options for addressing climate change: mitigation and

adaptation.

5.CLIMATE VULNERABILITY OF BANGLADESH

I. CLI MATE OF BAN GL ADE SH

Bangladesh is a subtropical monsoon climate characterized by wide seasonal variations in

rainfall, moderately warm temperatures, and high humidity.

Based on the analysis of pressure, rainfall and temperature, the climate of this country can be

described under the following four seasons:

a. Winter or Northeast Monsoon: This season comprises of December, January and

February; mean temperature is 18-21C and average rainfall is about 1.5% of the

total annual rainfall.

b. Summer or Pre-Monsoon: This season consists of March, April and May; average

rain fall is 17% and mean temperature is 23-30C and average rainfall is 17% .

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c. Southwest Monsoon or Monsoon: This season consists of June, July, August and

September; average rain fall of this season is about 72.5% of the total annual rainfall.

d.Autumn or Post-Monsoon: This season consists of October and November; average

rainfall receives in this season is about 9%.

B. CHANGING IN CLIMATE ACCORDING TO BMD1:

I. TEM PE RA TU RE :

Temperature trends during last 60 years (1950-2010) based on observed data of BMD, minimum

temperature and maximum temperature both have a tendency to increase.

y = 0.0107x + 20.677

R2 = 0.3359

20.0

20.2

20.4

20.6

20.8

21.0

21.2

21.4

21.6

21.8

22.0

1950

1952

1954

1956

1958

1960

1962

1964

1966

1968

1970

1972

1974

1976

1978

1980

1982

1984

1986

1988

1990

1992

1994

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

MinimumTe

mperat

Figure 1 Temporal variation of annual maximum temperature of Bangladesh during 1950-2010

II . RA INF AL L:

Average rainfall during last 60 years (1950-2010) has a positive trend with a slight decrease inmonsoon season.

y=-0.0616x- 5.1577

R2=0.0082

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

10

20

1951

1953

1955

1957

1959

1961

1963

1965

1967

1969

1971

1973

1975

1977

1979

1981

1983

1985

1987

1989

1991

1993

1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007

2009

RainfallDevi

Figure : Inter-annual variation of monsoon rainfall in Bangladesh during 1951-2010

1 Climate Change: Bangladesh Perspective: Arjumand Habib, Director BMD, Dhaka,Bangladesh

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Increasing rate of wet days is high in the NE and SE regions of Bangladesh. Regarding

temperature both maximum and minimum have a rising trends, minimum more over maximum,

maximum more or less stable. So both the analysis shows the signature of Global Warming.

III . EXT RE ME EV EN TS

Tropical cyclone intensity analysis shows that since 1876 onward particularly in the last 20 yearsfrequency and the intensity of cyclone more than 200 km/hour has an increasing trend. Also

other extreme events like heavy rainfall within short scale of time causing flash flood in pre-

monsoon period are increasing and added extra pressure on monsoon flooding especially in

urban area drainage congestion, prolonged water logging and landslides in the hilly region and

also accelerate river erosion.

Figure: Intense Cyclones (wind speed more than 200 Km/h) over Bay of Bengal during

1876 - 2010

During 1876 1964 there was only one intense cyclone (wind speed more than 200 Km/h) overNorth Bay of Bengal but in next 45 years (1965 2010) it was 9. From 1950 to 1990 intense

cyclones were only two but during next 20 years (1991-2010) it was 7.

IV . RA INF AL L INT EN SI TY

Pre-monsoon season: Frequency of heavy rainfall are increasing in March (+0.0048/year) and

April (+0.0061/year) but significant increasing trend (0.0258/year) is observed in May.

Therefore, heavy rainfall during pre-monsoon season has considerable increasing trend

(+0.0258/year) which means extreme weather is increasing.

Monsoon Season: Frequency of heavy rainfall are increasing in June (+0.0006/year), July

(+0.0161/year) and September (+0.0081/year) but decreasing in August (-0.0025/year).Therefore, heavy rainfall during monsoon season has also considerable increasing trend

(+0.0053/year) which means extreme weather is increasing.

C. IS BANGLADESH VULNERABLE TO THESE CHANGES?

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Today there is no doubt about the scale of vulnerability of Bangladesh to climate change:

Reports published by German Watch and Climate Vulnerability Monitor 2010: The v

State of the Climate Crisis have also found Bangladesh as one of the most vulnerable

countries

The IPCC has identified Bangladesh, a land of low-lying alluvial plain, as one of the

most vulnerable least developed countries.

Figure: *UNDP, 2004: A Global Report: Reducing Disaster Risk: A Challenge for Development

According to the Mortality Risk Index of the UN, Bangladesh is one the top of the

vulnerable countries due to earthquake, flood, cyclone and landslide.

A recently published report of the Maple Craft of the UK, which has conducted a survey

on 170 countries with using 42 indicators, revealed that Bangladesh is on the top of among

16 countries that are most vulnerable to climate change in next 30 years.

Physical Vulnerability Context of Bangladesh

Extrem

e

Temper

ature

Sea Level Rise Drought Flood Cyclone

and

Storm

Surges

Erosio

n

Sectoral

Vulnerability

ContextRiver

Flood

Flash

FloodCoastal

Inundation

Salinity

Intrusion

+++ ++ +++ +++ +++ ++ +++ - Crop Agriculture

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++ + + ++ ++ + + - Fisheries

++ ++ +++ + + + +++ - Livestock

+ ++ - - ++ + + +++ Infrastructure

++ +++ ++ - ++ + ++ - Industries

+++ +++ +++ + ++ + + - Biodiversity

+++ + +++ ++ ++ - ++ - Health

- - - - + + +++ +++ Human settlement

++ + - + + - + - Energy

6. CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION

D. WHAT IS MITIGATION

The groups advocating for mitigation efforts to tackle global climate change are primarily

environmental groups. Therefore Saleemul Huq (2007), at the 2nd International Workshop on

Community Based Adaptation to Climate Change stated: Mitigation is the best form of

adaptation.

Mitigation- avoids the unmanageable

Mitigation is defined as any anthropogenic interventions that can either reduce the

sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (abatement) or enhance their sinks

(sequestration).

In the context of the UNFCCC, a mitigation assessment is a national-level analysis of

the various technologies and practices that have the capacity to mitigate climate change.

As can be seen from the graph below the

majority of greenhouse gasses are contributed

through energy emissions, while theremainder is related to land use. Mitigation

may also refer to efforts to capture

greenhouse gases through certain kinds of

land use, such as tree plantation. This will

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reduce global warming, as the greenhouse layer in the atmosphere will not be so thick and its

warming, blanket-like effect will be lessened.

Mitigation is the main response that must be made to prevent future impacts of climate change.

It consists of measures such as switching from using coal, to petrol/oil, to natural gas, which are

progressively better in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Natural gas is the least pollutingfossil fuel. Better still is the use of renewable sources of energy (Huq, 2006).

.

E. CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION ACTION IN BANGLADESH

The more mitigation there is, the less will be the impacts to which we will have to adjust,

and the less the risks for which we will have to try and prepare.2

To manage the impacts, Bangladesh has taken a two-pronged approach. It has been vigorously

participating in the international negotiations process for realisation of the goals under the Bali

Action Plan as well as preparing itself at home for necessary domestic action.Even though Bangladeshs contribution to the generation of GHGs is miniscule, the country

wishes to play its part in reducing emissions now and in the future. GoB, encourages increased

energy and cost efficiency in the development and utilization of conventional energy. Emphasis

is also given to the development of renewable energy, particularly solar homes and biogas plants

so that the emission is as small as possible without jeopardizing the access to energy. In

partnership with civil society, a major nationwide program of social forestry has also been

implemented and coastal greenbelts has been planted as a key adaptation-mitigation strategy.

As Bangladesh industrializes and develops coal reserves, the country will seek the transfer of

state-of-the-art technologies from developed countries to ensure that the country follows a low-

carbon growth path. Bangladesh is also committed to reducing GHG emissions from agriculture

and urban waste management. The country is further committed to the development of

forestry resources and in this regard is exploring all avenues including the mechanisms

under REDD (Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation).

Currently Bangladesh has two Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects concerned

with solar energy and waste management. It looks forward to increasing the number of similar

programs and experimenting with new instruments to generate carbon credits and facilitate

carbon market financing in the future.

2 Community Based Adaptation to Climate Change in Bangladesh: The Global Initiative atLocal Level : Aka Firowz Ahmad, Ph.D, Community Based Adaptation to Climate Change inBangladesh: The Global Initiative at Local Level

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Figure: Industrialized countries emit most anthropogenic CO2

Advocacy and lobbying others abroad is important but action is also necessary in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh urges all major emitters to collectively establish and implement a global target

to stabilize the atmosphere over the short, medium and long term. The principle of

common but differentiated responsibilities must be upheld.

Sarker (2007) has pointed out that although Bangladesh may not be the guiltiest in terms of

climate change emissions; the country is now following blindly the Western ideology and

technology for their development, just as India has. Orissa states power stations in India,

emitted 164 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2005, equal to the total emitted in the whole of

India in 1996 and it will emit 3% of global emissions after new planned plants are opened (Das,

2006). China is now the second and India the fourth largest producers of greenhouse gases from

their power generation sectors, emitting 2.7 billion and 583 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses

per year (Vidal, 2007).

In particular advocacy by civil society should call for a rethink in regards to the country

exploiting its coal reserves in the face of energy shortages, for 22 alternative greener alternativesshould be pursued instead. The necessary forced relocation of 40,000 of people in the area of the

proposed Phulbari mine should also count against such a plan (Gain, 2007). So there is an

important role for NGOs in influencing the development process in Bangladesh to follow an

environmentally sustainable path in this and many other ways.

Bangladesh has about 30,000 industrial units: 24,000 small and cottage sized and 6,000 large

and medium sized factories. These have a very poor environmental record (Gain, 2002a).

These must be pressured by civil society directly and through government to improve their

energy efficiency, dispose of waste properly and to reduce emissions.

In addition it is needed to warn people of a great danger but tell them they can do nothing to stopit will make them feel helpless. This is not development. All must be encouraged that they can

have an impact in terms of climate change mitigation.

7.CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION

F. WHAT IS ADAPTATION

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The word adaptation has evolved from the term

adapt which means making things/

conditions/situations better by changing (Ahmed,

2006).

Adaptation is necessary to cope with theunavoidable dimensions of climate change and is essential in ameliorating near-term threats.

Adequate physical, economic and institutional capacities can reduce the vulnerability of high-

risk communities and groups. Comprehensive adaptation can help many communities to

minimize economic losses induced by natural disasters.

The post-Kyoto regime must generate new funds to facilitate development of technologies

for a carbon neutral future in a scale that matches evolving requirements.

G. CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION ACTION IN BANGLADESH

Climate change under a business-as-usual scenario will threaten the significant gains made inpoverty reduction over the past two decades and disproportionately impact the life and wellbeing

of vulnerable groups that include women, children, elderly and ethnic minorities and constrain

progress toward achieving the millennium development goals.(SFYP). Most of the climate

change impacts in Bangladesh are likely to come from the souththat is, the Bay of Bengal and

the adjoining North Indian Ocean. These waters are the sources of tropical cyclones and storm

surges, coastal erosion, monsoon wind, evaporation for monsoon rainfall, floods, and droughts.

V. THE NATIONAL ADAPTATION PROGRAM OF ACTION (NAPA)

Bangladesh was adopted it in 2005 in response to the seventh session of Conference of Parties

(COP 7) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). NAPA serves as

simplified and direct channels of communication for information relating to the urgent and

immediate adaptation needs to climate change. NAPA has been prepared by the Ministry of

Environment and Forests as a response to the decision of the COP7 of the UNFCCC.

TheOutcomes of NAPA

Preparation and approval of NAPA with identification of Priority Areas November 2005)

Agreement on 15 Project Ideas as Immediate and Urgent needs

Submission to UNFCCC

NAPA proposed to strengthen future coping mechanisms. It emphasized

1. Coastal zone management,

2. Increased awareness concerning disaster preparedness and management,

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3. Development of eco-specific adaptive knowledge through training and formal education

at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels,

4. Adaptation of agriculture and fisheries in hazard-prone zones, and

5. Exploration of social and financial security measures for coping with future climate

change issues.

VI . BANGLADESH

C LIMA TE C HA NGE

AN D ST RA TEG Y

AC TIO N PLA N

(BCCSAP)

In response to the UN Bali Action Plan, Bangladesh

prepared a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan

(BCCSAP) in 2008, followed by minor changes in

2009. The Action Plan will be embedded within

national development plans and programs and will be based on six pillars:

Food security, social protection and health to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable in

society including women and children, are protected from climate change and that all

programmes focus on the needs of this group for food security, safe housing, employment and

access to basic services including health.

Comprehensive disaster management to further strengthen the countries already proven

Disaster Management System to deal with increasingly frequent and severe natural calamities.

Infrastructure to ensure that existing assets (e.g. coastal and river embankments) are wellmaintained and fit for purpose and that urgently needed infrastructure (e.g. cyclone shelter and

urban drainage) is put in place to deal with likely impacts of climate change.

Research and knowledge management to predict the likely scale and timing of climate change

impacts on different sectors of the economy and socio-economic groups to underpin future

investment strategies; and to ensure that Bangladesh is a network into the latest global thinking

on science and best practices of climate change management.

Mitigation and low carbon development to evolve low carbon development options and

implement these as the countrys economy grows over the coming decades and the demand for

energy increases.

Capacity building and institutional strengthening to enhance the capacity of Government

ministries and agencies, civil society and the private sector to meet the challenge of climate

change and mainstream them as a part of development action.

The Action Plan consists of 44 programs and 145 projects for implementation within the time

period of 2009-2018. BCCSAP will be an integral part of national development policies, plans

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and programs. The Bangladesh government also made climate change an integral part of the new

draft Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP).

VII. CASE-SPECIFICPOPULATION GROWTH CONTROL:

The present population growth rate of Bangladesh is 1.41% (2008). The major part of thisgrowth occurs among low-income, illiterate and vulnerable persons who, to a great extent, live in

marginal lands. They exert pressure not only on the food supply but also on livelihoods and

space. Marginal and vulnerable areas like offshore islands, low-lying coastal areas, or river banks

become populated as people migrate from mainland areas. Such vulnerable groups originate

from forced migration due to socio-political intervention or natural calamities.

VIII. IMPROVED DISASTER ZONING:

The country is constantly threatened by various types of natural hazards such as floods, cyclones,

tornadoes, landslides, and earthquakes. Desertification and arsenic contamination are evident in

different parts of the country. A major part of the country is under the threat of repeated

occurrence of multiple hazards. On the other hand, new hazards may be created due to changes

in the climatic situation. These have an effect on agriculture, livelihoods and settlement. Since it

is predicted that the frequency and intensity of natural calamities will increase in future due to

climate change, special development planning approaches would be required in this case.

Regionalization based on a weighted index of disasters will help the government to prioritize

development projects and devise better coping mechanisms.

IX . RE AD JUS TE D NAT IO NA L LAND-USE PLAN:

It is inevitable that the country will lose a significant part of its landmass due to a rise in the sealevel. Under such circumstances, competition for space to accommodate different land-uses will

become severe. A national land-use plan both for urban and rural areas will become imperative

for the countrys survival as a nation. This will also ensure effective and efficient use of the

limited land and natural resources which will be available in future.

X. GOA L- OR IE NT ED REGIONAL PLANNING:

With contraction of the livable land and an increase in both population and the frequency of

natural calamities, the country will be left with a new order of landmass. A whole new approach

for regional planning will have to be devised in order to cope with the changed environmental

situation. The principal parameters to be considered for regional planning should be: population

density, agro-ecological characteristics, and disaster vulnerability. Better distribution of

economic activities will become necessary based on the changing natural environment and

population distribution.

XI . PRE VE NT IO N OF EC OSY ST EM CH AN GE AN D EC OSY ST EM LO SS :

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Administrative and legal weaknesses currently permit land grabbers to acquire land, river and

ocean water territory and thereby change its use. Natural ecosystems of forests, riverbeds and

coastal zones along the Bay of Bengal are being transformed into industrial, settlements and

ocean shipping areas. This poses a threat to biodiversity and the natural ecology.

XII . STR EN GT HE NI NG PU BL IC AW AR EN ES S:

General awareness about the issues linked with climate change can be increased through public

education and training programs. But specific technical education related to agricultural

adaptation, Compact Township and village development, prediction models, a resolution of

border and internal conflicts and crises, health hazard management, innovative technology for

efficient coping strategy, water and watershed management etc. must come through higher

education curricula to these end new collaborative programs must be introduced at the university

level

XI II . CA SE- SP EC IF IC SK IL LE D LA BO R MIG RA TI ON :

The loss of landmass will render many people jobless. International assistance will be required to

explore new areas of skilled population development. Special funding and understanding at the

international level must be generated for skilled labor migration outside the country. Remittances

sent by migrant workers may compensate for income lost due to sea level rise, land-use change,

and aggravated natural hazards.

XI V. GLO BA L FU ND FO R LA ND RE CL AM AT IO N PRO JE CT S:

the gradient of land toward the south is very gradual. Some land reclamation projects are going

on in Bangladesh with unsatisfactory efficiency. Strengthening land reclamation projects couldsave lands from being lost under the new sea level, prevent mangrove forests from extinction,

preserve agricultural lands and the cultural heritage of the coastal zone, and preserve

groundwater tables and their use for human consumption.

XV . CH AN GES OF CR OP PI NG PA TT ER N:

Plant two or more crops instead of one or a spring and fall crop with a short fallow period to

avoid excessive heat and drought in midsummer.

For already warm growing areas, winter cropping could possibly become more productive

than summer cropping.

New crop varieties: (Flood, drought and saline tolerant varieties)

Bangladesh has already developed salinity tolerant, flood tolerant and shorter maturity varieties

of rice. Extensive agricultural extension services are needed to make these varieties available to

the farmers.

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XV I. WAT ER SU PP LY , IR RI GA TI ON, AN D DRA IN AG E SYS TE MS :

Technologies and management methods exist to increase irrigation efficiency and reduce

problems of soil degradation, but in many areas, the economic incentives to reduce wasteful

practices do not exist.

Increased precipitation and more intense precipitation will likely mean that some areas will

need to increase their use of drainage systems to avoid flooding and water-logging of soils.

XV II . USE NE AR -T ER M CLI MA TE PR ED IC TI ON S:

Accurate six-month to one-year forecasts could possibly reduce losses due to weather

variability. For example, predictions of El Nio events have proven useful in regions where

El Nio strongly affects weather.

XVI II . RE SEA RC H, AN AL YS IS AN D DAT A PR OV IS IO N AB OU T CL IMA TE

CHANGE

Bangladesh has a long experience in climate change research. It is represented in international

fora, and organizations such as BIDS, BUET, BUP, BCAS, SPARRSO, BARC, EGIS and

SWMC have been actively involved in various studies on climate change. However, information

about climate change related issues is scattered, incomplete and sometimes difficult to access.

Policy and development planning relies on this information. It is strongly recommended to

stimulate and promote scientific work and that the Government develops a focused policy

towards a coordinated research agenda and a modern climate change knowledge base, that is

integrated and widely shared.

XI X. STR EN GT HE NI NG OF IN TE GR AT ED CO AST AL ZON E

MAN AG EM EN T (IC ZM ).

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ICZM aims at optimal use of the combined potential of all coastal resources. The ICZM plan

should consider existing and future threats to the coastal zone and adaptation possibilities

(CZMS, 1990).

H. EXAMPLES OF SOME PROJECTS TO REALIZE ADAPTATION IN

BANGLADESH INCLUDE:

Coastal resources : Coastal Embankment rehabilitation Project ,Coastal Greenbelt

Project Integrated Coastal Zone Management .

Fresh water resources :National Water Management Plan , Water Sector Improvement

Project , Small-scale Water Resources Development Sector Project

Agriculture : Command-Area Development Project, National Water Management Plan

Ecosystem and biodiversity: Sustainable Environmental Management Program, Forth

Fisheries Project , Sundarbans Biodiversity Conservation Project

Human health :Third Water Supply and Sanitation Project

I. COMMUNITY BASED ADAPTATION IN BANGLADESH:

Climate change is only one of many challenges facing poor people. In order to effectively reduce

vulnerability, climate change adaptation must form part of a holistic response which aims tobuild resilience of communities to withstand the range of shocks and stresses that they are

exposed to.

CBA requires an integrated approach which combines traditional knowledge with innovative

strategies to address current vulnerability while building adaptive capacity to face new and

dynamic challenges. The process of CBA involves four inter-related strategies:

1) Promotion of climate-resilient livelihoods strategies in combination with income

diversification and capacity building for planning and improved risk management;

2) Disaster risk reduction strategies to reduce the impact of hazards, particularly on

vulnerable households and individuals;

3) Capacity development for local civil society and governmental institutions so that they

can provide better support to communities, households and individuals in their adaptation

efforts; and

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4) Advocacy and social mobilization to address the underlying causes of vulnerability, such

as poor governance, lack of control over resources, or limited access to basic services.

Recognizing the importance of an enabling environment for effective CBA, our strategy is not

limited to promoting change at the community level. CAREs approach also endeavours to

influence policies at regional, national and international levels with community-basedexperience. This involves evidence-based advocacy as well as constructive engagement in key

decision making processes.

The analytical framework of the CVCA is based on CAREs CBA Framework. This Framework

presents a range of enabling factors which must be in place at household/individual,

community/local and national levels in order for effective community-based adaptation to take

place. The CVCA process facilitates analysis of the existing situation with respect to these

enabling factors. This helps to identify actions which can be taken to put the factors in place,

creating an enabling environment for adaptation. These enabling factors are linked to the four

strategies outlined above. The framework is presented below.

J. CONFLICT-SENSITIVE ADAPTATION

An analysis of the impacts of climate change on security needs to be incorporated into climate

policies and response strategies, at both EU and international levels, so that future conflict risks

are identified and addressed. In the case of Bangladesh, tensions stemming from current and

future migration flows need to be identified and addressed through local, national and cross-

border programmes. The possibility of linking adaptation programmes between Bangladesh and

India (or the broader region) in order to foster relationships between communities and

governments across borders should also be considered.

K. DIFFERENT ADAPTATION STRATEGIES AS DISCUSSED IN

SIXTH FIVE YEAR ACTION PLAN

Over the decades, the Government, with the support of development partners, has invested in:

1. Flood management schemes to raise the agricultural productivity of many thousands of

kilometers of low-lying rural areas and to protect them from extremely damaging severe

floods.

2. Flood protection and drainage schemes to protect urban areas from rainwater and river

flooding during the monsoon season.

3. Coastal embankment projects, involving over 6,000 km of embankments and polder

schemes, designed to raise agricultural productivity in coastal areas by preventing tidal

flooding and incursion of saline water.

4. Over 2,000 cyclone shelters to provide refuges for communities from storm surges

caused by tropical cyclones and 200 shelters from river floods.

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5. Comprehensive disaster management projects, involving community-based programs and

early warning systems for floods and cyclones.

6. Irrigation schemes to enable farmers to grow a dry season rice crop in areas subject to

heavy monsoon flooding and in other parts of the country, including drought-prone areas.

7. Agricultural research programs to develop saline, drought and flood-adapted high

yielding varieties of rice and other crops, based on the traditional varieties evolved over

centuries by Bangladeshi farmers.

8. Coastal greenbelt projects, involving mangrove planting along nearly 9,000 km of the

shoreline.

9.

8.Bangladesh Position At Climate Negotiation

L. BANGLADESH POSITION ON MITIGATION AND NAMA

THE FOLLOWING REMARKS BY; SHEIKH HASINA, PRIME MINISTER OF

BANGLADESH, REGARDING THE LAUNCH OF THE 2012 CLIMATE VULNERABILITY

MONITOR AT ASIA SOCIETY NEW YORK ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2012 WHICH INDICATE

BANGLADESHS POSITION ON MITIGATION IN INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATION.

Let me affirm that Bangladesh, as a responsible member of the international community, will

never exceed the average per capita emission of the developing countries. This is our

commitment to a low carbon development path. We expect such commitments and responsible

behavior from those who have contributed most to climate change crisis over decades. It is timefor them to act positively in the interest of present and future generations.

According to the Convention, LDCs are exempt from mitigation. Yet, Bangladesh has always

stated that it would take mitigation actions if support in the form of finance and technology is

provided. Bangladesh also stated during negotiations that the National Communications

(reporting by countries on climate issues regarding national emission, vulnerability, adaptation

needs, policy and other interventions) becomes a natural vehicle where whether supported or not,

all mitigation actions have to be reported according to standardized methodology. So, this is

already measured and reported. Also, as a standardized methodology is used for measurements, it

is in a sense verified. This position of Bangladesh seems to be well-appreciated.

Financing for mitigation is an issue where Bangladesh has stated that scientific investigations

have shown that up to 1.5% of GDP of developed countries may be needed for mitigation actions

to be supported in the developing countries. Further Bangladesh position regarding nature of

funding is that if the technology to be provided is costly, Bangladesh would accept it only if the

additional resources to be needed are provided as grants

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M.ON ENHANCED ACTION ON ADAPTATION

Bangladesh, through the LDC group has made the point that there will have to be a legally

binding Adaptation Framework and that the resources to be committed will have to be no less

than 1.5% of the GDP of the developed countries because they have a historical responsibility.

Also all adaptation funding has to be grants, not loans of any kind. Further, the general idea towhich Bangladesh subscribes regarding resource sources is that this will be generally public

funding but there may be scopes for private flow of resources.

Bangladesh has also called for 70% of the adaptation funding to be earmarked for LDCs.

Bangladesh has further called for an International Adaptation Research and Training Centre

under the Convention. LDC group have endorsed both the resource and the Centre ideas. But

these are yet to be parts of the agreed text although efforts are on-going for their acceptance.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) of Bangladesh won the Earth Care Award

2012 (sponsored by the Times of India) for spearheading the Least Developed Countries Fund

(LDCF) (LDCF) project Community Based Adaptation to Climate Change through Coastal

Afforestation in Bangladesh. This years Earth Care Awards category was "Community-

based adaptation and mitigation".

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http://www.thegef.org/gef/LDCFhttp://www.thegef.org/gef/LDCFhttp://www.thegef.org/gef/LDCFhttp://www.thegef.org/gef/LDCF


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Source: Care

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9.Finance for Climate change adaptation and

Mitigation in Bangladesh:

While adaptation and mitigation are the main tasks, finance and technology are the means to

achieve them. The two areas have therefore attracted much attention during the climate change

negotiations from the beginning. Bangladesh wishes that it be under a new financial architecture

in which LDCs, G-77, China and other groups will have voice in generating, allocating and

disbursements of the funds; and all funds for adaptation has to be on a purely grant basis as the

need for adaptation arise because of climate change due to the historical emission of GHGs by

the industrialized countries.

Mitigation depends mainly on energy production, distribution and consumption technology.

Often the most efficient technologies are expensive. Bangladesh wishes to do her bit, however

small, in the global effort to minimize GHGs emission by adopting such energy-efficient

technology. However, unless the additional costs of adopting efficient technology is not paid for

through the international financial mechanism, Bangladesh will not be able to adopt them. Likeadaptation, this part of the additional cost of procuring efficient technology should be financed

on a grant basis. The Government has established two National Climate Change Fund. These

are...

N. BANGLADESH CLIMATE CHANGE TRUST FUND (CCTF)

The CCTFis the Government s own trust fund generated from the national budget. The fund of

Tk. 300 crores was initially declared by the Interim government in 2008 that was later increased

to Tk. 700 crores (USD100m) by the AL government. In early 2009, the Climate Change Trust

Fund Policy was approved by the cabinet, and in May 2010, the Climate Change Trust Fund Act

2010 was passed to back-up the fund.

O. BANGLADESH CLIMATE RESILIENCE FUND (BCCRF)

Until recently the BCRF was called the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF). The origin of the

MDTF was in the latter half of 2008 when the UK government pledged a grant amounting to 75

million GBP over the next five years to implement BCCSAP.

GoB singed communiqu with the UK in 2008 putting forward 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid

Effectiveness through which UK support would be disbursed. Since UK s aid policy does not

allow direct transfer to GoB s account, the MDTF was pursued as an alternative mechanism.

Since creation of new institutions takes time, according to DFID, the WB came into the picture

as a fund manager. Since then, the WB s role in the MDTF created significant national and

international campaign and dispute between GoB and donors. At the end of 2010, the utilisation

of funds held in MDTF did not start while the final mechanism for the management and

governance await approval from the Prime Minister of GoB. Until end of 2010, the EU, Sweden,

Denmark and DFID joined in BCCRF. Exactly what would be the operational modality may be

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worked out by the government and the particular development partner. But the cardinal principle

of the operation of the fund shall be that it will be used solely to finance activities under the

Action plan (BCCSAP). Secondly, this contribution will not be a substitute for other normal

funding for development by the development partners

P. MULTILATERAL FUNDS:

GoB received grants and loans from different multilateral sourcesincluding small grant for

Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) from the Least-Developed Country Fund (LDCF)

of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), grant and loan for

Strategic Programme for Climate Resilience (SPCR) from Pilot Programme for Climate

Resilience (PPCR) of the Climate Investment Fund (CIF) of the World Bank, multi-donor grant

for Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP) managed by United Nations

Development Programme (UNDP), loan from Asian Development Bank while yet to receive any

grant from Adaptation Fund (AF). There are many more initiatives with International FinancialInstitutions (IFIs) including the WB and ADB.

Q. BILATERAL FUNDS:

DPs have different types of interventions in Bangladesh that are driven by their own national

policies. US Aid in Bangladesh that spends USD 100milion/year is one of their largest

development assistance programs in the world. Bilateral and multilateral DPs are organized

under BDF and respective Local Consultative Groups (LCGs).

10. Concluding Remarks

Despite continued CC-related disasters these investments in climate proofing have resulted on

major impacts on economic growth. poverty has fallen; major social gains such as gender

equity in primary education, IMR decline, life expectancy increased. Food production continues

to grow.

Over the last 10-15 years, the number of fatalities from natural disasters has declined, as the

countrys ability to manage risks, especially floods and cyclones, has improved and community-

based systems have been put in place.

Over the decades, Bangladesh has also learnt how to plan and implement these programs moresustainably (e.g. to integrate capture and culture fisheries into the design and operation of flood

management projects) by involving communities in planning, construction and management. We

must undertake climate change investments with communities, learn from them, build on their

knowledge of their local environments, and ensure that proposed investments meet their needs.

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This will help in the short run. But Ccontinued CC could literally wash away such achievements.

This is only the beginning: more varieties and appropriate ecosystem-based agricultural system

need to be developed and popularized.

The Government recognizes that tackling climate change requires an integrated approach

involving many different ministries and agencies, civil society and the business sector. There is

also a need to strengthen the capacity of Government and other organizations to plan and

implement development programs. Development organizations need to strengthen their capacity

so that they can implement their regular programs more effectively and rise to the challenge of

climate change.

11. References:

A. Ahmed, A.U. 2006. Bangladesh Climate Change Impacts and Vulnerability: A

Synthesis. Dhaka: Climate Change Cell, Bangladesh Department of Environment.

B. Arjumand Habib, Climate Change: Bangladesh Perspective. Dhaka, BMD

C. NAPA. 2005. National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) Final Report.

Dhaka : Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of the People s Republic of

Bangladesh.

D. Pender, J.S. 2008. What Is Climate Change? And How It Will Effect Bangladesh.

Briefing Paper. (Final Draft). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Church of Bangladesh Social

Development Programme.

E. Rahman, Atiq. 2011. Presentation on Climate Mitigation and Adaptation inBangladesh. Dhaka, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS)

F. Planning exceptionalism? Political Economy of Climate Resilient Development in

Bangladesh

G. Khurshid Alam, Md. Shamsuddoha, Thomas Tanner, Moshahida Sultana, Muhammad

Jahedul Huq and Sumaiya S Kabir

H. SIXTH FIVE YEAR PLAN; FY2011-FY2015, Ministry of Planning. Bangladesh

Government.

I. Rahman, A.A. 2002. Mitigation Must, Adaptation Too: Poorest Cannot Pay Anymore!Clime Asia. October 2002. COP 8 Special Issue. 3-10.

J. Rahman, A.A. 2007. Hot from the international press. Community Based Adaptation to

Climate Change. The Daily Star. D30|P a g e D haka: February 28th, 2007, 12.

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K. Matthijs van der Hoorn, 2010. Climate Change and Conflict in Bangladesh, Dhaka,

Bangladesh

L. Ansorg T & Donnelly T, September 2008. Climate Change in Bangladesh: Coping and

Conflict. ISIS Europe European Security Review no.40,

M. Giddens A, September 2008. The politics of climate change

N. Monckton C,2011. The Science and Global Politics of Climate Change A Special Report

for Heads of State and Government, Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow, NY.

USA

O. Homer,dixon, T F (1990) Environmental Change and Vi olence Confl ict. Canadian Env

ironment and Sustainble Development Program. Institute for Research on PublicPolicy

, Ontario, Canada. http://www.climatechangecell-bd.org

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