Bangladesh must move beyond crisis management with evidence-based climate solutions: Experts

Experts at a Dhaka dialogue urged Bangladesh to adopt evidence-based, data-driven climate action, warning that worsening disasters, rising migration and mounting economic losses demand urgent policy reforms and stronger climate governance.

Bangladesh must urgently move from reactive responses to evidence-based and data-driven climate action to tackle its worsening climate emergency, speakers at a dialogue in Dhaka said on Wednesday.

They stressed the need for policymaking that integrates scientific data, spatial analysis and community-generated evidence to address escalating climate risks facing the country.

The dialogue, titled “Bangladesh in Climate Emergency: Evidence-Based Pathways for Climate Action”, was organised by Oxfam in Bangladesh and its partners with support from the Australian government.

The event brought together senior policymakers, development partners, experts and practitioners to discuss innovative pathways for climate action, ecosystem restoration and climate finance.

Joining the discussion, renowned climate expert Ainun Nishat highlighted the importance of strengthening climate governance through innovation and data.

“Bangladesh stands at a critical moment where climate challenges must be addressed with precision, transparency and forward-looking strategies,” he said.

He added that evidence-based approaches are essential for strengthening policies, guiding investments and amplifying Bangladesh’s leadership in global climate negotiations.

Speakers cited global and national data showing the growing scale of the crisis. Climate-related disasters worldwide increased by 83%, rising from 3,656 events between 1980 and 1999 to 6,681 events between 2000 and 2019.

More than 9,700 extreme weather disasters were recorded globally between 1995 and 2024, causing over 830,000 deaths and economic losses exceeding $4.5 trillion.

In Bangladesh, more than 300 disasters affected around 190 million people during the same period, with annual economic losses estimated at $3 billion.

Using these findings, Dr Mohammad Emran Hasan, head of climate justice and natural resource rights at Oxfam in Bangladesh, presented a paper titled “Bangladesh in Climate Emergency: Evidence-Based Pathways for Climate Action”.

The paper said Bangladesh is facing a deepening climate crisis marked by recurring floods, cyclones, salinity intrusion and ecosystem degradation.

The discussion also highlighted growing global concern over climate tipping points and accelerating damages.

Scientists now warn that tipping points in the climate system may arrive earlier than previously expected, while climate-related damages are increasing by 5% to 7% annually.

Dr M. Shahidul Islam, professor of geography and environment at the University of Dhaka, said Bangladesh already possesses the knowledge and capacity needed to confront climate risks.

“The challenge is translating that knowledge into timely and effective action. Evidence must drive decision-making if we are to address the complexity of climate risks,” he said.

The event was moderated by Md Sariful Islam, head of influencing, communications, advocacy and media at Oxfam in Bangladesh.

A comprehensive position paper presented at the event outlined the scale of the climate crisis and proposed a range of actionable solutions.

The dialogue also showcased two innovative tools developed by Oxfam: the Loss and Damage Dashboard and the Interactive Spatial Decision Support System (iSDSS).

The tools are designed to support climate action and climate finance through evidence generated from what organisers described as “three senses” approaches: social sensing through community reporting, remote sensing using earth observation to verify reported cases and common sensing through combined data and evidence analysis.

Nayoka Martinez‑Bäckström, first secretary and deputy head of development cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh, said climate justice and finance require stronger evidence from vulnerable communities.

“Countries like Bangladesh are paying the highest price for a crisis they did not create. Evidence from the ground is crucial to ensure that climate finance reaches the most vulnerable communities in a fair and accountable way,” she said.

Ashish Damle, country director of Oxfam in Bangladesh, stressed the importance of connecting people, policy and evidence.

“Climate action must remain rooted in the realities of those most affected. Through innovations like the Loss and Damage Dashboard and spatial decision systems, we are bringing community voices into policy spaces and strengthening accountability in climate finance,” he said.

Speakers also highlighted Bangladesh’s growing vulnerability to climate change, including temperature rises of 0.5 to 1 degree Celsius over recent decades and sea-level rise affecting more than 100 coastal upazilas.

They warned that 13.3 million people in Bangladesh could become internal climate migrants by 2050.

The programme was organised under the Blue Economy and Inclusive Development for Climate Justice (BID4CJ) initiative, supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Australian government and implemented by Oxfam in partnership with BTS, CODEC and BELA.

The initiative focuses on promoting inclusive climate justice through evidence-based approaches, ecosystem restoration and community stewardship.