Publication: Bangladesh: Enhancing Coastal Resilience in a Changing Climate
Date
2022
ISSN
Published
2022
Author(s)
Kazi, Swarna
Urrutia, Ignacio
van Ledden, Mathijs
Laboyrie, Jean Henry
Verschuur, Jasper
Haque Khan, Zahir-ul
Jongejan, Ruben
Lendering, Kasper
Mancheño, Alejandra Gijón
Abstract
As the World Bank and government of
Bangladesh celebrate 50 years of development cooperation
this year, a key highlight is the journey towards addressing
climate change and improving the resilience of the coastal
zone. From the outset, the World Bank has been a
long-standing partner in the government’s efforts to reduce
the risks from disasters and enhance coastal resilience,
resulting in a number of noteworthy achievements. Bangladesh
demonstrated how investments in the entire chain of disaster
risk reduction saves lives, reduces economic losses, and
protects development gains. Proactive policies and sound
investments in strengthening resilience across multiple
fronts over the last five decades have resulted in a drastic
decline in the number of casualties from cyclones.
Bangladesh’s approach has been an integrated one, from
grassroots strengthening of community-level adaptation and
community-based early warning systems, to investing in key
protective infrastructure and promoting innovations, all
founded on a strategic policy framework. With the success of
these initiatives, Bangladesh has emerged as a global leader
in climate resilience. Although there has been significant
progress, with the coastal population and economy expected
to grow, and the intensity and magnitude of extreme events
projected to increase due to climate change, hazard impacts
still pose a great threat to the development ambitions of
the country. Thus, further actions are needed to improve the
resilience of the coastal zone. This report provides new
perspectives and insights into how to address the impacts of
climate-related hazards in the coastal zone. The report
provides evidence of the drivers of risks in Bangladesh’s
coastal zone, analyzes what has been achieved so far in
reducing these risks, and reviews the lessons learned from
these achievements. Supported by in-depth analytical work,
the report explores innovative solutions illustrated with
artist impressions and puts forward seven key
recommendations to enhance coastal resilience in Bangladesh
and build shared prosperity for decades to come. What is
clear from the report is that investing in coastal
resilience will bring multiple benefits, and that the time
to act is now.
Citation
“Kazi, Swarna; Urrutia, Ignacio; van Ledden, Mathijs; Laboyrie, Jean Henry; Verschuur, Jasper; Haque Khan, Zahir-ul; Jongejan, Ruben; Lendering, Kasper; Mancheño, Alejandra Gijón. 2022. Bangladesh : Enhancing Coastal Resilience in a Changing Climate. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/38004 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”