Bangladesh world’s most climate-vulnerable country: WB

The World Bank has issued a special warning regarding Bangladesh’s climate situation. In a report published on Monday, November 24, the organisation said, “South Asia is among the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions, and Bangladesh is the most at risk.”

It stated that by 2030, nearly 90 percent of the population in South Asia will face the risk of extreme temperatures, while almost one-quarter will be exposed to severe flooding. Rising water and soil salinity in coastal regions is already directly affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions of Bangladeshis.

According to the report titled “Bangladesh and Other South Asian Countries’ Climate Resilience Will Be Private-Sector Led”, the burden of adapting to climate change is now falling primarily on households and businesses. Survey findings show that three-quarters of families and enterprises in South Asia expect some form of weather-related shock within the next 10 years. Although 80 per cent of households and 63 percent of businesses have already taken adaptive measures, most of these remain basic and low-cost solutions.

A survey of 250 villages along the Bangladesh coast found that climate-resilient infrastructure is the region’s greatest unmet need. In the long term, 57 percent of households said inadequate disaster-protection infrastructure is their biggest challenge, while 56 percent cited a lack of financial capacity for adaptation. The report notes that the crisis is not only environmental but deeply linked to people’s lives and livelihoods, with the poorest and agricultural households suffering the most.

The World Bank said government investments, such as embankments and cyclone shelters have played a crucial role in saving lives. Jean Pesme, the World Bank’s Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, said, “Bangladesh’s resilience is constantly being tested by new environmental challenges. Adaptation is already widespread, but rapidly increasing climate risks demand much more.” He added that strengthening the country’s resilience requires improving early-warning systems, social protection, climate-smart agriculture, adaptation financing and targeted investments in urban areas.

The report stresses the need for multi-layered and coordinated actions for climate adaptation. Enhancing early-warning systems, expanding access to formal credit and insurance, and directing private-sector investment to priority areas could prevent one-third of climate-related losses. Even with limited budgets, the government can facilitate this process by improving transport and digital networks and strengthening targeted social assistance.

The report also recommends promoting technology-driven adaptation and prioritising essential public services such as transport infrastructure and healthcare systems.