Community Based Adaptation to Climate Change: A Case Study of Bangladesh

Mémoire de Maîtrise , 2008 , 61 Pages , Note: Merit

Politique - Sujet: Politique de développement

Climate change is a global concern with its impending threats to economies, human development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Climate change impacts are currently being observed and studies show that poor countries are the most vulnerable. Using Bangladesh as a case study, this research examines the impacts of climate change to poor, rural communities and further explores the measures that are carried out to combat its existing and future threats. This research also aims to look into the existing socio-economic vulnerabilities of Bangladesh in order to establish the linkage between climate change and development.

Findings of this study show that poor communities are impacted by climate change through the loss of lives, assets and livelihoods. Adaptation to climate change is therefore necessary and should be integrated in development planning and objectives, to ensure that the most vulnerable groups are represented. Overall this research has observed that Bangladesh is still lacking this capacity, despite the spontaneous adaptation being practised by local communities.

This study has further observed that the most common response in addressing climate change impacts to vulnerable communities in Bangladesh is community-based adaptation, which focuses on local coping strategies and mechanisms. Community-based adaptation in the context of this research is focused on securing livelihoods and building a knowledge base for climate change awareness, among poor, rural communities and households. The findings of this study affirms that CBA programmes are increasing the resiliency of poor communities to climate change impacts however, certain limitations still exist which are further linked to policy formulation and integration, along with structural weaknesses in relation to addressing climate change in Bangladesh at the national level.

Effective adaptation strategies that address climate change induced stresses are based on the participation of stakeholders and the key actors in policy making at the local, regional and national levels. This research demonstrates that this is the challenge currently facing Bangladesh and the overall conclusion presents that coordination, development and implementation of a national adaptation strategy that addresses climate change at all sectors, should help establish the framework in reducing the country’s present and future vulnerabilities, in relation to climate change.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Acronyms
• Executive Summary
• Chapter One
  • Introduction
  • 1.1 Research Objectives
  • 1.2 Research Questions
  • 1.3 Structure of the Dissertation
• Chapter Two
  • Background to the Study
  • 2.1 Bangladesh
  • 2.2 Climate Change Vulnerability: Bangladesh Context
  • 2.3 National Responses
  • 2.4 Adaptation
• Chapter Three
  • Literature Review
  • 3.1 Adaptation to Climate Change
  • 3.2 Adaptation at Global, National and Local Levels
  • 3.3 Adaptation, Climate Change and Development
  • 3.4 Facilitating Adaptation: International and Institutional Policies
  • 3.5 Adaptation and Vulnerability to Climate Change
  • 3.6 Livelihoods and Climate Change Adaptation
• Chapter Four
  • Methodology
  • 4.1 Analytical Approach
  • 4.2 Methodological Approach
    • 4.2.1 Research Areas
    • 4.2.2 Methodology Limitations
• Chapter Five
  • Policy Findings
  • 5.1 Role of Public Institutions: Advisory and Capacity Building
  • 5.2 Role of NGOs and Donor Agencies: Community Based Adaptation
  • 5.3 Towards a National Climate Change Policy
  • 5.4 Limitation to Climate Change Adaptation in Bangladesh
• Chapter Six
  • Household and Community Level Findings
  • 6.1 Climate Change and its Impacts on Rural Livelihoods
  • 6.2 Women and Climate Change
  • 6.3 Indigenous and Physical Coping Mechanisms
  • 6.4 Dependence on Aid and Role of the Government
• Chapter Seven
  • Conclusions and Recommendations
• Bibliography
• Appendix A
  • Indigenous and Physical Coping Mechanisms
• Appendix B
  • Field Visit, Gaibandha District
• Appendix C
  • Data Collection

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This dissertation examines the challenges and opportunities of community-based adaptation to climate change in Bangladesh. It aims to understand how local communities are adapting to the impacts of climate change, and what role government, NGOs, and donor agencies play in supporting these efforts. The dissertation focuses on the experiences of communities in the Gaibandha district, a region particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts.

• Community-based adaptation to climate change in Bangladesh
• The role of government, NGOs, and donor agencies in supporting adaptation
• The impacts of climate change on rural livelihoods
• The role of women in climate change adaptation
• Indigenous and physical coping mechanisms

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

Chapter One introduces the research topic, outlining the research objectives and questions, and providing a brief overview of the dissertation's structure. Chapter Two provides background information on Bangladesh, its vulnerability to climate change, and national responses to the issue. Chapter Three reviews relevant literature on adaptation to climate change, focusing on global, national, and local levels, as well as the relationship between adaptation, climate change, and development. Chapter Four outlines the methodological approach used in the research, including the analytical and methodological frameworks. Chapter Five presents findings on the role of public institutions, NGOs, and donor agencies in supporting community-based adaptation, and discusses the limitations of climate change adaptation in Bangladesh. Chapter Six explores the impacts of climate change on rural livelihoods, the role of women in adaptation, and the use of indigenous and physical coping mechanisms. It also examines the dependence on aid and the role of the government in supporting adaptation efforts.

Schlüsselwörter

The keywords and focus themes of the text include community-based adaptation, climate change, Bangladesh, vulnerability, adaptation strategies, rural livelihoods, women, indigenous knowledge, government, NGOs, donor agencies, and development.

• Université: University of Birmingham
• Cours: International Development
• Note: Merit
• Auteur: Msc Abigail Gacusana (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2008
• Pages: 61
• N° de catalogue: V133166
• ISBN (ebook): 9783640393596
• ISBN (Livre): 9783640393770
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: Community, Based, Adaptation, Climate, Change, Case, Study, Bangladesh, Merit