Bangladesh Struggles to Secure Funds for Climate Action

Representational image.

Bangladesh is facing difficulties in securing the funds needed to tackle the climate change crisis, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said on 8 September.

“Bangladesh requires around $29 billion to effectively address climate-induced disasters, but we are able to secure only a nominal amount,” he said while inaugurating a three-day training workshop in Dhaka.

The workshop, titled "Navigating Climate Finance: Media Reporting," was jointly organised by the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and the Economic Relations Division (ERD).

Dr Salehuddin stressed that managing the climate crisis requires coordinated efforts from five key actors: scientists, policymakers, institutions, financiers, and the public.

He added that while Bangladesh has shown leadership in disaster response, greater awareness is needed to scale up action. “Bangladesh is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Coastal communities struggle daily to survive. We must utilise their experience and coping capacity,” he said.

ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky emphasised the need to highlight Bangladesh’s climate damages to access global funds. “Our stories of damages and vulnerabilities must reach international platforms, and journalists play a crucial role,” he said.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam cited dengue outbreaks, rising floods in Sylhet, and maternal mortality as climate-linked impacts not effectively communicated globally.

PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan presided over the event, where 60 journalists are participating in the training to enhance climate reporting.