AS THE world grapples with the intensifying effects of climate change, countries like Bangladesh stand at the forefront of both vulnerability and leadership in the global environmental struggle. Bangladesh, while contributing only 0.56 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, is disproportionately affected by climate-induced disasters such as cyclones, floods and rising sea levels. These environmental threats are not only ecological challenges but deeply political ones, shaped by governance, international relations and the everyday realities of millions.
In an era where global environmental politics are often reduced to North-South divides or debates over technocratic vs. democratic governance, Bangladesh presents a much more nuanced narrative. The country鈥檚 climate vulnerability, compounded by rapid urbanisation, unchecked industrial growth and complex political dynamics, makes it a microcosm of the intricate relationship between development, environmental sustainability, and governance.
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Understanding environmental politics
ENVIRONMENTAL politics, at its core, revolves around the relationship between human society and the natural environment. It engages political theories, party policies, grassroots movements and public administration, all aimed at mitigating environmental degradation.
As Neil Carter articulates in Politics of the Environment (2009), environmental politics is unique in how it integrates ideological movements and reframes societal values. From early conservationism to contemporary climate activism, the field has become a transformative force that seeks to reshape global and local governance.
Yet, this transformation is far from uniform across nations. Bangladesh, as one of the world鈥檚 most climate-vulnerable nations, faces the dual challenge of addressing the immediate impacts of climate change while navigating the broader, often exclusionary, discourse of global environmental politics. For Bangladesh, the stakes are not just about adhering to international agreements but about securing a liveable future for its people.听
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Bangladesh鈥檚 climate vulnerability
THE rise of environmental consciousness globally, sparked by disasters like the 1952 London Smog and the 1967 Torrey Canyon oil spill, was mirrored in Bangladesh in its post-independence period. The country鈥檚 environmental politics, however, has been shaped not just by industrial disasters but by its geographical fragility. With two-thirds of the country less than five metres above sea level, Bangladesh has always been acutely aware of its exposure to natural disasters, especially floods and cyclones.
In recent years, this vulnerability has been exacerbated by rapid urbanisation and unchecked industrial growth. Dhaka, one of the most polluted cities globally, epitomises the conflict between economic development and environmental sustainability. The proliferation of brick kilns, unregulated industrial emissions, and inadequate waste management systems have turned the urban environment into a health crisis, disproportionately affecting marginalised communities in the city鈥檚 sprawling slums.
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Global environmental politics: Beyond North vs South
BANGLADESH鈥橲 climate fight must be understood within the larger framework of global environmental politics, which is often reduced to simplistic binaries 鈥� the Global North versus South, developed versus developing countries. However, such reductions obscure nuances and shared responsibilities between nations.
While it is true that the Global North has historically borne more responsibility for carbon emissions, Bangladesh鈥檚 local environmental issues are compounded by its own industrial practices. The country鈥檚 growing textile industry, while economically vital, is notorious for polluting rivers and wetlands with untreated wastewater. Thus, local environmental degradation is not just a result of international dynamics but of domestic policy failures as well. Addressing these challenges requires moving beyond the binary of developed and developing countries, recognising the internal complexities that hinder sustainable development within nations like Bangladesh.
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Climate politics in Bangladesh: Localised challenges
BANGLADESH鈥橲 political landscape adds layers of complexity to its climate challenges. Democracies, by their nature, struggle with the implementation of long-term environmental policies, as the immediacy of electoral cycles often takes precedence over sustained climate action.
In Bangladesh, the lack of political will is often exacerbated by weak institutional frameworks, a history of corruption, and political clientelism. A 2022 report by Transparency International Bangladesh found that corruption and lack of accountability were pervasive in the distribution of climate adaptation funds, with 56 per cent of surveyed projects plagued by mismanagement.
Political leaders tend to prioritise large-scale infrastructure projects, such as roads and bridges, over sustainable development initiatives because the former yields immediate, visible results for their constituencies.
Urbanisation in Bangladesh has exacerbated environmental problems. Dhaka, with over 21 million residents, has one of the highest levels of air pollution globally. A 2021 World Bank study noted that 95 per cent of the city鈥檚 population was exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO guidelines. In addition, poor waste management, particularly of municipal solid waste, has worsened health conditions, particularly in the sprawling urban slums where 40 per cent of Dhaka鈥檚 population resides.
However, failure is not just one of leadership. Public disinterest, especially among urban middle-class voters, limits the political space for environmental reform. Populist politics, often driven by economic anxieties, tends to dismiss climate action as a luxury that developing countries cannot afford. This is particularly dangerous for a nation like Bangladesh, where environmental issues are deeply intertwined with economic and social survival.
While these issues might seem technical, they are deeply political. Decisions about urban development, industrial regulation, and environmental protection often reflect the priorities of elite political actors rather than the needs of the broader population. For instance, in the face of increasing pollution, government regulations on brick kilns, the largest single source of air pollution in Dhaka, remain largely unenforced. This is despite the kilns being responsible for 58 per cent of the city鈥檚 fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions, according to a 2019 DoE report.
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Global leadership vs domestic policy gaps
BANGLADESH鈥橲 role as a global leader in climate diplomacy is undeniable. As the chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), Bangladesh has successfully lobbied for greater international focus on loss and damage, adaptation financing, and climate justice. During the 2021 COP26 in Glasgow, Bangladesh played a pivotal role in pushing for the inclusion of the Glasgow Climate Pact, which recognised the need for a rapid phase-out of coal and increased adaptation finance.
However, translating this global leadership into effective domestic policies remains a struggle. International climate finance, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), is critical for Bangladesh鈥檚 adaptation and mitigation strategies. However, the country鈥檚 dependency on external funding often leads to misaligned priorities. For instance, climate finance initiatives that focus on large-scale infrastructure overlook the importance of community-based solutions.
Despite commitments to integrate climate resilience into national planning, implementation gaps persist. The Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, an ambitious $37 billion initiative designed to ensure climate-resilient development, has faced delays due to bureaucratic inefficiencies and a lack of local engagement. As of 2023, only 12 per cent of the projects under this plan have started, with many awaiting international funding or local political approval.
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A path towards inclusive environmental governance
ONE way to address these gaps is through more inclusive, deliberative governance models. Deliberative democracy emphasises informed citizen participation in decision-making processes and can encourage long-term planning that transcends short political cycles. This could provide a mechanism for bridging the divide between national policies and local needs. In Bangladesh, where rural and coastal communities bear the brunt of climate change, incorporating their voices into policy-making could yield more sustainable outcomes.
For instance, the Community-Based Adaptation to Climate Change through Coastal Afforestation (CBACC-CF) project, implemented from 2009 to 2015, demonstrated the power of local participation. By engaging local communities in coastal afforestation efforts, the project not only increased mangrove coverage (which serves as a natural buffer against cyclones and storm surges) but also provided livelihoods to 35,000 coastal households.
These bottom-up approaches offer a model for how deliberative democracy can work in practice, ensuring that policy decisions reflect the realities and needs of those most affected by climate change. Expanding these initiatives into formal policy structures can ensure that the voices of those most affected by environmental degradation are heard and acted upon.
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New materialism and environmental justice
TO FULLY address Bangladesh鈥檚 environmental crisis, there must be a shift in how justice is conceptualized. New Materialism, a philosophical perspective that highlights the interconnectedness of all life, including non-human actors, calls for an expanded notion of justice that includes ecosystems. This approach is especially relevant in Bangladesh, where environmental degradation disproportionately impacts marginalised communities.
Low-income communities, particularly in urban slums and rural coastal regions, bear the brunt of climate impacts. Deforestation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the Sundarbans, driven by illegal logging and industrial expansion, not only destabilises local ecosystems but also displaces indigenous communities, heightening social and environmental injustice. According to a 2020 study by the Bangladesh Forest Department, deforestation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts has reduced forest cover by 45 per cent over the past two decades, threatening both biodiversity and the livelihoods of indigenous groups like the Chakma and Marma peoples.
An inclusive approach that recognises the agency of ecosystems 鈥� treating them not just as resources for exploitation but as essential components of environmental justice 鈥� could lead to more equitable and sustainable development.
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Policy recommendations
TO ALIGN with global climate goals while addressing the unique challenges Bangladesh faces, a more data-driven and locally focused policy framework is essential. Several policy shifts are necessary:
Strengthen regulatory enforcement: Bangladesh鈥檚 environmental protection laws must be rigorously enforced. Industrial polluters, particularly in textiles, brick kilns, construction and tanneries, which have significant environmental footprints, should face stricter penalties.
Enhance disaster preparedness: While Bangladesh has improved its disaster management systems, more investment is needed in disaster-resilient infrastructure for long-term adaptation strategies for vulnerable communities. Cyclone shelters, embankments, and flood-resilient housing should be expanded, particularly in coastal areas.
Localised climate finance: International climate finance should prioritise locally-led adaptation initiatives. Bangladesh received $300 million from the Green Climate Fund between 2015 and 2020, but much of this was allocated to large-scale infrastructure projects. Greater focus is needed on small-scale, locally driven initiatives, such as the Floating Garden systems in the south and solar energy should receive greater focus in national climate strategies.
Sustainable urbanisation: With urbanisation rapidly increasing, especially in Dhaka, sustainable development practices must be implemented. This includes investing in green infrastructure, better waste management systems, and public transportation to reduce emissions and improve urban air quality. The 2022 Urban Resilience Project by the World Bank suggests that an integrated waste management system in Dhaka could reduce urban pollution by up to 40 per cent, yet such initiatives remain underfunded.
Inclusive decision-making: Expanding deliberative democratic processes will ensure that marginalised communities, who are most affected by climate change, have a direct voice in environmental governance.
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Conclusion
THE future of environmental politics in Bangladesh hinges on the country鈥檚 ability to bridge the gap between global climate diplomacy and local environmental realities. By promoting inclusive governance, data-driven policies, and community-based solutions, Bangladesh can serve as a model for other vulnerable nations. In the face of overwhelming challenges, it is essential to foster hope through action, ensuring that environmental politics not only safeguard ecosystems but also the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable.
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Md Zahurul Al Mamun is a climate change researcher听and analyst.