Introduction

Bangladesh, recognized globally as one of the most climate-vulnerable countries, faces increasingly frequent and severe climate-induced disasters such as floods, cyclones, droughts, and salinity intrusion (IPCC, 2022). The nation’s efforts to integrate climate considerations into its fiscal planning through initiatives like the Climate Budget are commendable. Introduced with the support of UNDP in FY 2017-18, the Climate Budget was designed to align national development planning with climate adaptation and mitigation goals (Ministry of Finance Bangladesh, 2024). However, challenges persist in effectively localizing and operationalizing these budgetary initiatives. Regional disparities, lack of meaningful grassroots participation, and weak monitoring frameworks hinder the realization of climate resilience on the ground (ActionAid Bangladesh, 2025).

Furthermore, while Bangladesh’s national policy documents — such as the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP) — emphasize community-centered adaptation, implementation often remains top-down, missing the unique vulnerabilities and priorities of coastal, flood-prone, drought-affected, and hilly regions (MoEFCC, 2009). Research shows that inclusive, participatory budgeting processes lead to better outcomes for climate resilience by ensuring that marginalized voices are incorporated into decision-making (UNDP, 2021).

This study, conducted under the “People’s Manifesto” project, aims to address these systemic gaps by capturing district-level climate challenges and public demands through participatory approaches. The findings provide critical insights into how Bangladesh can move towards a more equitable, decentralized, and community-driven climate budgeting framework — essential for meeting its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Objectives

The study was designed to:

• Assess regional climate vulnerabilities and adaptation needs.
• Identify gaps between national climate budget allocations and local priorities.
• Collect citizen-driven recommendations for improving climate-resilient budgeting.

Methodology

A participatory, qualitative approach was employed, combining Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with local government officials and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with communities across nine districts: Dhaka, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Naogaon, Kushtia, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Chattogram, and Bandarban. Validation hearings were conducted in each district to ensure the authenticity and ownership of the findings.

Findings

The research revealed substantial regional disparities in climate vulnerability, budget allocation, and adaptation needs across Bangladesh’s diverse geographical landscapes. Coastal districts such as Bagerhat and Satkhira are facing chronic exposure to cyclones, tidal surges, and saline water intrusion, severely affecting agriculture, drinking water supply, and public health. Communities in these areas emphasized the urgent need for embankment repair, saline-resistant crops, and investment in freshwater infrastructure. Additionally, shrimp cultivation practices were cited as exacerbating salinity problems, leading to the collapse of traditional farming practices and food insecurity.

In flood-prone districts like Kurigram and Gaibandha, river erosion emerged as a major crisis displacing thousands annually. The affected populations demanded enhanced flood protection infrastructure, resilient housing, early warning systems, and livelihood recovery programs. Local stakeholders pointed out that post-flood recovery projects are often delayed or poorly targeted, failing to protect vulnerable families from sliding into deeper poverty.

The hilly regions of Bandarban presented a distinct set of vulnerabilities. Communities here are grappling with soil erosion, deforestation, loss of natural water sources, and poorly regulated stone extraction activities. These challenges, compounded by climate change, are threatening the sustainability of indigenous livelihoods. People’s demands centered on forest conservation programs, rainwater harvesting systems, and better regulation of mining activities.

In Naogaon and Kushtia, which are categorized as drought-prone regions, farmers reported acute water shortages impacting rice production. Participants stressed the necessity for investment in efficient irrigation systems, promotion of drought-resistant crop varieties, and sustainable land management practices. In Dhaka and Chattogram, urban populations highlighted climate-induced problems such as waterlogging, urban heat islands, and poor air quality. There was widespread consensus on the need for green infrastructure, waste management systems, and investments in renewable energy projects to create more climate-resilient cities.

Across all nine districts, a common concern was the significant mismatch between the climate-related needs of communities and the resources allocated by the government. For instance, in Satkhira alone, a funding gap of approximately Tk 3,000 crore was identified between required and actual allocations. Similar shortfalls were reported in Bandarban and Kurigram, indicating systemic inequities in the distribution of climate adaptation resources.

In terms of community demands, several priorities emerged. These included the restoration and protection of rivers and canals, expansion of rainwater harvesting initiatives, promotion of solar-powered irrigation and electrification systems, and establishment of community-managed climate adaptation funds. Citizens also demanded more participatory planning processes, where local knowledge and lived experiences could directly inform climate budget formulation.

Discussion

The findings of this study reflect a critical disconnect between national-level climate budgeting and the ground realities experienced by communities most vulnerable to climate change impacts. Although the Climate Budget initiative symbolizes Bangladesh’s political commitment to resilience, its execution remains flawed due to systemic biases, regional disparities, and a lack of participatory mechanisms.

One of the most pressing issues is the persistent regional inequality in budget allocations. Despite bearing the brunt of climate impacts, districts like Satkhira, Kurigram, and Bandarban receive disproportionately lower financial support compared to urban centers or politically influential regions. This perpetuates cycles of vulnerability and undermines the government’s broader climate resilience goals. In practice, resource allocation seems less influenced by vulnerability assessments and more by administrative convenience or political considerations.

Another significant concern is the lack of local participation in climate budgeting processes. Community voices, particularly those of women, indigenous groups, and youth, remain largely excluded from decision-making forums. As a result, many climate adaptation interventions are poorly tailored to local contexts, leading to suboptimal outcomes. For example, embankments constructed without consulting local communities often fail to address actual flood dynamics or maintenance realities.

The mainstreaming of climate resilience across sectors also remains weak. Urban development projects in Dhaka and Chattogram largely overlook the growing risks of extreme weather events. Agricultural policies in drought-prone areas fail to sufficiently promote climate-smart technologies. This siloed approach undermines the holistic, integrated adaptation strategies recommended by global best practices.

Additionally, nature-based solutions — such as mangrove restoration, reforestation, and wetland conservation — are underutilized despite their proven effectiveness and cost-efficiency. Communities in Bagerhat and Bandarban expressed frustration that while projects for hard infrastructure receive significant funding, initiatives for ecosystem restoration are often neglected or tokenized.

Lastly, the accountability mechanisms for climate budget utilization remain extremely weak. District-level officials often lack the tools or authority to monitor implementation, while communities have limited access to information about budget allocations and project outcomes. Without robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems, it becomes difficult to course-correct or improve planning based on evidence.

The discussions at district-level hearings highlighted a strong desire among communities to shift towards more decentralized and participatory climate governance. Citizens are not merely passive recipients of adaptation projects; they are active agents with critical knowledge and innovative solutions. Acknowledging this agency and institutionalizing their participation in budgeting and planning processes could lead to more effective, equitable, and sustainable climate adaptation outcomes in Bangladesh.

Recommendations

1. Strengthen Equity in Climate Budget Allocations

Future climate budgets should be based on comprehensive vulnerability assessments, ensuring that high-risk districts receive proportional funding support. Developing and utilizing a district-level “Climate Vulnerability Index” could provide a data-driven foundation for equitable resource allocation.

2. Institutionalize Participatory Climate Budgeting

District-level Climate Budget Committees should be established, involving local governments, civil society organizations, women’s groups, and youth organizations. These committees should have formal roles in budget formulation, monitoring, and review processes.

3. Mainstream Climate Resilience Across All Development Sectors

Climate risk assessments must be integrated into agriculture, urban planning, transport, energy, and disaster management programs. Sectoral policies should explicitly outline climate adaptation goals and funding mechanisms.

4. Scale Up Investments in Nature-Based Solutions

Mangrove restoration in coastal areas, reforestation in hill tracts, and wetland rehabilitation in flood-prone districts must be prioritized. Such investments not only build resilience but also provide co-benefits for biodiversity conservation and livelihoods.

5. Strengthen Monitoring, Transparency, and Learning Systems

District-level climate expenditure dashboards should be developed to make budget tracking accessible to the public. Annual public hearings should be institutionalized to review progress, identify gaps, and refine future planning.

Conclusion

The “People’s Manifesto” has revealed a profound gap between Bangladesh’s national climate resilience aspirations and the on-the-ground realities faced by its most vulnerable citizens. Without structural reforms in climate budgeting — centered on equity, participation, transparency, and local empowerment — Bangladesh risks falling short of its own development and adaptation goals. A truly resilient Bangladesh will not be built in conference rooms alone but must emerge from the collective actions and lived experiences of its diverse communities. Empowering these communities through equitable resource distribution, participatory governance, and sustained investments in resilience will pave the way towards a more climate-just future.

References

• ActionAid Bangladesh. (2025). People’s Manifesto: Voices from the Ground on Gender, Climate, and Youth Budgets. Dhaka: ActionAid Bangladesh.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2022). Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Cambridge University Press.
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). (2009). Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP). Dhaka: Government of Bangladesh.
• Ministry of Finance Bangladesh. (2024). Climate Budget Report FY 2024-25. Dhaka: Government of Bangladesh.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2021). Participatory Budgeting for Climate Resilience: Global Lessons for Local Action. New York: UNDP.