North South University • DhakaCenter for Climate Change & Disaster ResilienceBangladesh, home to over 160 million people, contributes minimally to global emissions yet is already experiencing severe climate impacts — by 2050 a 1.5°C rise threatens the lives and livelihoods of 15 million coastal residents. Led by the Director, Dr. Md. Jakariya, the Center sets out to identify research gaps, generate evidence-based studies and cultivate emerging advocates for climate justice.
About 20% of the global population controls 80% of resources, an inequality the concept note calls a major driver of global climate destabilization. Climate justice gained prominence at COP26 in Glasgow, where negotiators discussed loss-and-damage financing, and the concept note ties the Center’s work directly to Bangladesh’s 8th Five-Year Plan, the Sustainable Development Goals and Vision 2041.
Adaptive practices in coastal communities, AI-assisted surge forecasting studied in the southern coastal region, and a smart-shelter proposal for the south-west.
The concept note lists two films “for a deeper understanding of the project and its activities.” Both play here from YouTube.
“This concept note proposes raising awareness among youth and researchers about climate change and climate justice through campaigns, workshops, trainings, and activities such as vulnerable community mapping.”
A reportage published by Action contre la Faim, one of the Center’s international collaborators. The concept note lists it alongside a second film, on biodiversity conservation and watershed management in Pablakhali.
Pablakhali Protected Area is also the site of completed project No. 02 — biodiversity conservation and co-management through the protection and restoration of water sources.
The featured film above, published on YouTube by Action contre la Faim — one of the Center’s 29 international collaborators.
The channel that publishes the Pablakhali film listed in the concept note.
The second objective extends awareness into action. Its planned activities identify disaster-prone areas and key climate victims in target areas, hold discussion sessions on local climate issues with vulnerable groups, run awareness campaigns with climate victims on their rights, and develop mechanisms that make indigenous adaptation knowledge more resilient.
Campaigns and workshops on human rights, climate change and disaster resilience across academic institutions, a youth advisory team on climate justice, and need-based research openings for students and academics.
Community risk maps with local residents, spatial maps of climate-vulnerable groups, and assessments of municipal, union and upazila climate action plans from the perspective of climate justice.
The concept note plans the Center’s activities in short- and long-term phases. Across its four objectives, several are carried out directly with local people and their knowledge.
The expected outcome of pioneering climate justice and human rights work in the context of Bangladesh: