CCTF seeks increased allocation to expand climate-risk activities

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has sought an additional allocation for the climate change trust fund, aiming to sustain and expand climate-risk mitigation activities for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (FY).

The Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF), a state body entrusted with implementing cross-ministerial climate initiatives through financing from the fund, had initially received Tk 1.0 billion under the climate change risk management fund.

This allocation was aimed at supporting climate-resilience projects across vulnerable regions of the country.

During the current fiscal year, the trustee board of the BCCTF has already approved five major climate-related projects with a combined estimated cost of Tk 429.1 million.

In addition, more than 40 project proposals, valued at approximately Tk 2.70 billion, have been submitted for consideration as Bangladesh faces mounting climate-induced threats, according to the letter.

Under existing regulations, the BCCTF is mandated to hold four trustee board meetings per fiscal year, each requiring significant logistical and administrative expenses.

Further, Bangladesh has participated in COP30, which requires additional financial commitments.

Taking all factors into consideration, the BCCTF has projected a total expenditure of Tk 4.0 billion for the current FY -- far exceeding the initial Tk 1.0 billion allocation.

To bridge this financial gap, the organisation has sought an additional Tk 3.0 billion from the government.

The requested amount constitutes a 300-per-cent increase compared to the original budget allocation -- a reflection of the escalating financial demands of climate-risk management in Bangladesh.

The Environment, Forest and Climate Change adviser -- who also chairs the trustee board of the BCCTF -- has reportedly given formal consent to the proposed demand for additional funds, acknowledging the urgent need to accelerate climate-adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Contacted, an official said the BCCTF has appealed for immediate government support to secure the additional funds, emphasising that these are essential not only to maintain the continuity of ongoing programmes but also to launch new interventions in high-risk climate-vulnerable zones across the country.

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