Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to adverse climate change impacts, suffering economic losses of over USD 12 billion over the past 40 years.
Two-thirds of Bangladesh is less than five meters above sea level. In low-lying plains, intrusion of saltwater, arising from sea level rise, contributed to intensification of food insecurity, unemployed agricultural workers and spread of water-borne diseases. About 2.5 million people experiences shortages of drinking water and for water needed for irrigation in the Southwest and Northwestern regions of Bangladesh.
Our integrated approaches to addressing climate change impacts, is using adaptation and mitigation measures through BRAC’s development initiatives. Our work protects resources, improves quality of life and builds awareness approach about the environment in rural and urban communities. We provide people with access to the tools and knowledge to adapt and respond to adverse climatic impacts and adopt sustainable practices to combat impending climatic impacts.
IMPACT
823,342 people living in 41 vulnerable districts received support to cope with climate change impacts.
335,990 households reached through integrated climate-resilient solutions
WHAT WE DO
Mainstreaming climate change adaptation
Climate resilient interventions
Action research and capacity building
Knowledge management and networking
HOW WE DO IT
Climate change vulnerability mapping
Identify the climate vulnerable areas using the climate risk and vulnerability mapping.
Selection of climate-vulnerable communities
Identify vulnerable communities using participatory rural appraisal, climate risk and vulnerability and poverty mapping.
Context specific proactive climate resilient interventions
Formulate interventions considering area-specific climatic pattern, vulnerability, adaptive capacity, socio-economic aspects of the community.
Learning by doing
Prior to implementing intervention activities a pilot is being conducted to study climate vulnerable communities and improvise intervention accordingly.
Institutional arrangements for inhouse environmental management
Manage organisational operations and programmatic activities through formation of policies, green committees and fund.
WHY IT WORKS
Climate change, environmental policies and strategies
Approaches are implemented following BRAC’s own climate change policies, aligned with international policies, SDGs Goal 13, at the district, community and household levels.
Towards environmental sustainability and climate change solutions
Ensure integration of climate change and related aspects into every stage of programmatic activities and interventions.
Prioritising women engagement
Promote women’s participation in mitigation and adaptation efforts; enable their ability to respond to extreme climatic events.
Climate vulnerability-specific approach
Identify approaches to minimising, adapting and responding to localised climate risk and vulnerabilities.
