Every taka lost to corruption in climate projects is a family left vulnerable to floods, river erosion, and rising salinity. A recent report by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) reveals that more than half of the government-funded climate projects have been undermined by irregularities and mismanagement.
Between 2010 and 2024, approximately Tk 2,110 crore—nearly USD 248 million—intended to protect communities on the frontline of climate change was reportedly wasted through bribery, embezzlement, and collusion under the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF). These were funds from the pockets of Bangladeshis, meant to help the most vulnerable adapt to climate shocks. Although the fund was established with good intentions, political interference, weak oversight, and limited citizen participation have seriously compromised its effectiveness.
TIB’s findings are alarming. Projects suffered from fake approvals, inflated costs, and politically influenced contractors. Solar streetlight projects were especially affected, with equipment costs inflated by up to 57 percent. In total, Tk 175 crore was lost in bribes during approval, Tk 599.9 crore through collusive tendering, Tk 1,281.3 crore during implementation, and Tk 54.4 crore in bribes to supervising officials. Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, TIB’s Executive Director, described the sector as a “specialized area of corruption driven by political collusion.”
These numbers represent far more than financial losses. Every taka lost means fewer embankments repaired, fewer families safely relocated, and fewer communities equipped to adapt. The true cost is measured in vulnerability, hardship, and lives at risk from climate disasters.
Recognizing this gap, YouthNet Global sought to improve climate finance effectiveness through youth-led monitoring. In 2021, under the British Council-supported Climate Finance Governance project through PROKAS, we empowered young people to monitor BCCTF projects. For the first time in Bangladesh, youth-led social audits were conducted across ten climate projects.
The initiative was challenging. Government approvals were required, and NGOs do not usually have the mandate to audit public projects. Yet as youth climate leaders and citizens, we stepped forward. Our audits uncovered irregularities, including issues in the Patuakhali tree plantation project under the Social Forestry Department and the canal excavation project in Madaripur. We then facilitated dialogue with government officials and organized field oversight visits.
Although the audits did not resolve every issue, they set a precedent. Youth-led monitoring enhances transparency, accountability, and local engagement in public projects. To make this approach sustainable, local youth should be integrated into the Planning Ministry’s Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division (IMED). Donors should also invest in these programs to scale their impact and ensure continuous oversight.
The stakes are high. Bangladesh needs billions of dollars annually to implement adaptation and resilience measures. Between 2003 and 2024, the country required USD 10–12 billion for climate projects but received only USD 1.2 billion. Mismanagement of even a fraction of these limited funds severely undermines our ability to protect vulnerable communities.
Governance failures also threaten Bangladesh’s global commitments, including the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), and Sustainable Development Goal 13. Without proper oversight, climate finance risks deepening inequality, eroding public trust, and weakening resilience.
TIB recommends updating the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP) 2009, amending the BCCT Act 2010 to reduce political influence, increasing budget allocations, ensuring direct access to international funds, and establishing independent oversight mechanisms for all climate projects. Implementation will require strong political will, sustained monitoring, and active citizen participation.
Across Bangladesh, I see hope in action every day. Young people are leading community-driven adaptation, restoring wetlands, promoting agroecological practices, and supporting vulnerable families. But this hope can only thrive if public trust is protected and resources are managed with integrity.
As we approach the 2026 national elections, I urge all political parties to include climate finance integrity, transparency, and citizen participation in their election manifestos. Voters have the right to demand that every party pledges to safeguard public funds and ensure that adaptation programs benefit those most in need. Governance justice must be a core commitment, not just rhetoric.
The path forward is clear: empower youth, strengthen oversight, engage communities, and prioritize integrity. Climate justice begins with governance justice. Without integrity, adaptation is impossible — and accountability itself is climate action.
Writer: Executive Coordinator, YouthNet Global
