Govt spending $3.5b for climate adaptation annually: Environment minister

Environment Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Monday said that the government is diligently working for climate adaptation and spending US$3.5 billion per year for the purpose.

However, the amount is far from what is actually needed as the minister said that at least US$9 billion is needed for climate adaptation activities in the country every year.

Collaboration among government, NGOs and international development partners is important in this regard, Saber said. 

The minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change said the government will empower communities, particularly women, to overcome climate challenges and adapt to changing circumstances.

The environment minister said this while launching UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)'s Nature-Based Adaptation Towards Prosperous & Adept Lives & Livelihoods in Bangladesh (NABAPALLAB) project at a national programme in the capital city.

Saber said two critically important ecological areas, namely the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, and Hakaloki Haor, a vital breeding ground for birds and fish, will be worked on to be protected. 

Surrounding communities will be collaborated with to minimise disruptions to these habitats while providing training in income generation and natural disaster preparedness, he said.

Communities will be involved in training in eco-friendly technologies, promoting sustainable resource management practices, and introducing solutions like saline-tolerant crops, renewable energy, and climate-resilient housing, the minister added.

Sarah Cooke, the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Additional Secretary (Environment) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Fahmida Khanom, Ramesh Singh, Regional Director of CARE Asia; Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury, the Chief Conservator of Forests; Climate Expert Professor Dr Ainun Nishat and Selina Shelley Khan, Chief of Party, NABAPALLAB also spoke on the occasion.

Representatives of donor agencies, representatives of local communities, guests, and staff working to protect Bangladesh's environment were also present on the occasion.

[email protected]