Bangladesh faces a high level of air pollution, which costs about 9% of the GDP annually, according to a study by the World Bank.
It predicts that the costs of environmental degradation and natural disasters are expected to rise over time, compounded by higher heat and humidity and impacts on health.
“Thirty-two percent of all deaths in Bangladesh are linked to environmental degradation, particularly outdoor and household air pollution; inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene standards; and lead exposure in adults,” according to World Bank Group's Country and Climate Development Report for Bangladesh.
These degradations account for a premature death rate of 169 per 100,000 inhabitants. The report says the annual cost of such environmental health effects was estimated to be Tk4.4 trillion in 2019, equivalent to 17.3% of GDP.
The WB suggested improved air quality standards across multiple sectors to improve health and increase climate resilience.
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneThe report highlights three priority areas for Bangladesh's climate-resilient growth and development: People-centric climate-smart development, delivering development benefits with decarbonization, and enabling environment and institutional realignment.
It says that by implementing policies that abate both air pollution and emissions, Bangladesh can reduce deaths from air pollution by half or save nearly one million lives within 2030, suggesting the government shift industries to a more sustainable path to increase global competitiveness.
The report, which outlines priority actions and financing needs to help Bangladesh address the climate crisis, was released during a program at a city hotel on Monday.