Adaptation actions

Sustainable Ecosystem and Livelihood

Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD) is currently implementing the Sustainable Forests & Livelihoods Project (SUFAL) supported by World Bank, to improve forest management and increase benefits for forest-dependent communities in targeted sites by financing nearly 79,000 hectares of forests on public and private lands, including about 22,000 hectares of coastal green belt across 147 Upazilas (subdistricts). The project emphasizes sustainable livelihood options for the forest-dependent communities and engages them in ecosystem management to ensure the sustainability of the forest resources. Some of the completed projects for sustainable ecosystem management are- Climate Resilient Ecosystem and Livelihoods (CREL), Integrating Community-based Adaptation into Afforestation and Reforestation Programme in Bangladesh and Climate Resilient Participatory Afforestation and Reforestation Project (CRPARP). These projects helped reduce forest degradation and to build the long-term resilience of selected communities to climate change.

Disaster Management

The Coastal Embankment Improvement Project (CEIP) has helped Bangladesh mitigate some of the most significant impacts of cyclones and flooding and enhanced emergency response in the coastal region. The project costs US$ 400 million and is supported by the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR), a targeted fund within the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) framework. Since 2013, the project has increased the protection of 183,900 people including 91,950 women with increased resilience to climate change in selected regions from tidal flooding and storm surges. As of May 2019, the project has protected 21,700 ha of gross area and upgraded 130.58 km embankment. A comprehensive analysis is being undertaken to understand the coastal dynamics better and increase climate resilience in the coastal area. Other relevant programs that have been implemented over the last decade are National Resilience Programme, Project for Enhancing Capacity on Planning and Implementation of Regional Disaster Risk Reduction, Information Management System for Disaster Risk Management, Enhancing the Capacity of CPP Volunteers and Coastal fisherman to Cope with Climate Change, Construction of Multipurpose Cyclone Shelters in Coastal Areas and Construction of Flood Shelter in Flood Prone Areas across the Country and Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme II.

Agriculture and Food Security

The Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and Ministry of Food have contributed to climate change adaptation through the activities related to, research and education program; agricultural extension and training; production, standardization, certification, preservation and distribution; support and rehabilitation; minor irrigation programs; and improved value chain. The ministries have initiated many investment projects/programmes which focus mainly on increasing food productivity and sustaining growth in the face of the adverse effect of climate change. Some of the notable projects are- National Agricultural Technology Program-Phase II Project (NATP-2), support to seaweed cultivation, processing and marketing through assessment and capacity development, Enhanced Coastal Fisheries (ECOFISH BD), Community-based Climate Resilient Fisheries and Aquaculture Development in Bangladesh, Inclusive agriculture and agro-industrial value chain development as an enabler of poverty reduction in Bangladesh, South West Region Livestock Development Project, Establishment of Regional Duck Breeding Farm along with Hatchery (3rd Phase), Scavenging Poultry Conservation and Development Project, and Establishment of Fish Landing Centers in Haor Area, Institutionalization of Food Safety in Bangladesh for Safer Food, Construction of new food storage, and Modern Food Storage Facilities.

Water Resources Management

Ministry of Water Resources has a major function in addressing the adverse impacts of climate change. Through its recent activities, the Ministry has directly contributed to climate change adaptation. Projects strongly relevant to climate change under this Ministry include Char Development and Settlement Project-4, flood control and drainage improvement for removal of drainage congestion in Noakhali area, climate-smart agricultural water management, and planning for flood management in Bangladesh (the Ganges and Brahmaputra Basin), Blue Gold Program for Water Management and Environmental Development. Re-excavation of small rivers, canals and water bodies in 64 districts (1st phase) etc. A total of 726 km river bank protection, 2,123 km river excavation and dredging, 1,266 km embankment, excavation/ re-excavation of 181 km irrigation canal and 499 km drainage canal, 2.58 million ha land reclamation from rivers and estuary areas in the last 10 years have been done. One million trees have been planted in the embankments, river/canal banks to mitigate carbon emission, and 2725.1 ha marshlands were rehabilitated and included in fisheries culture to enhance livelihood activities by the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.

Surface Water Use and Rainwater Harvesting

Several city water supply authorities are implementing projects to increase surface water use and reduce groundwater use. These projects will reduce energy consumption for pumping groundwater and contribute to GHG emission reduction. Dhaka WASA has implemented three plants supplying 913 million litres per day (MLD) drinking water and 950 MLD capacity will be added from two plants under implementation. Similarly, Rajshahi WASA and Khulna WASA are implementing a 200 MLD capacity plant and 0.78 million cubic metre capacity reservoir.