Development of Climate Change Perceptions and Programmes (1980-2020) in Bangladesh: Lessons Learned and Way Forward

Abstract

Climate change related knowledge and activities have been evolved, and Bangladesh tried to figure out appropriate pathways to address climate change challenges sustainably. This paper critically examined the chronological progression of climate change action programs performed in Bangladesh, aiming to identify the factors that created varied forms of confusion in tackling climate change threats. This review based work identified that the concept of climate change has conveyed into the contexts through disaster management discourse in Bangladesh. Climate change understanding and action programs could be divided into three groups (early-stage (1980-2000), mid-stage (2001-2010), and third stage (2011-2020). While early-stage works related to the basic understanding of ozone layer depletion, greenhouse effect, global warming, and their impacts on natural resources and physical functions, mid-stage reports contain impact narratives on different sectors and outlined action plans. The third stage reports have firm commitments to reduce climate change vulnerabilities of people, processes, and systems. In this stage, climate-resilient development is proposed through mainstreaming climate change investments/expenditures into regular development programs of the government. The roles of actors (both individual and institutional) from the government to non-government entities, varied and conflicting interests (e.g., personal, thematic, and need-based), struggle among the institutions over control over actions/processes. Moreover, local works have little influence on institutional and policy-making processes related to climate change compared to the impact made by global level reports mainly produced by international agencies.