Climate adaptation budget falls short

The proposed climate budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year is inadequate to support the implementation of Bangladesh’s long-term adaptation plans, speakers said at a discussion yesterday.

They called for prioritising coastal water management in climate adaptation efforts, allocating a dedicated budget for vulnerable coastal communities, and increasing climate spending to at least 3 percent of GDP.

The speakers made the calls at a seminar titled “National Budget 2026-27 and Climate Allocation”, jointly organised by COAST Foundation, BDSCO Process and EquityBD at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka.

M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, executive director of COAST Foundation, moderated the seminar and MA Hasan, head of climate change at the organisation, presented the keynote paper.

Climate spending in the proposed budget stands at 0.76 percent of GDP. The proposed budget has set total expenditure at Tk 9,38,000 crore, with Tk 100 crore proposed for Climate Change Trust Fund.

According to the keynote presentation, climate spending in the proposed budget stands at only 0.76 percent of GDP, far below what is needed to protect vulnerable communities.

The proposed budget has set total expenditure at Tk 9,38,000 crore, with Tk 100 crore proposed for the Climate Change Trust Fund.

Commitments made in the budget speech regarding safe water supply, sustainable embankments, riverbank protection, cyclone shelters and salinity-tolerant agriculture in coastal areas must be backed by a separate adaptation plan for coastal water management, said speakers.

The plan should focus on two broad areas -- construction, modernisation and renovation of coastal protection infrastructure, and improving safe water supply and irrigation through rainwater harvesting, pond excavation, restoration of canals and open water bodies, water-saving irrigation and salinity-tolerant agriculture.

Speakers also urged stronger coordination among implementing agencies, direct participation of char (shoal) and coastal communities, and regular public reporting on climate spending and project outcomes.

“The plan must cover river erosion, sustainable embankments, afforestation, healthcare, education, alternative livelihoods and support for people losing land and work,” said M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury.

Md Ziaul Haque, a climate finance expert and former government official, said NGOs, community-based organisations and microfinance institutions should be involved to reach char, island and coastal communities.

Md Mosharraf Hossain, microfinance policy and advocacy specialist, said the budget deficit could be reduced through better governance and institutional reforms, stronger accountability, and improved financial management.

Tarek Sayeed Harun, director of RDRS Bangladesh, urged the government to recognise the microfinance sector’s role and ensure funding support through Bangladesh Bank.

Syed Aminul Hoque, director of COAST Foundation, called for stronger governance, transparency and issue-based budgeting in climate finance.

Nikhil Chandra Bhadra, coordinator of Sundarban O Upakul Surakkha Andolon, also spoke.