For decades, Bangladesh has stood at the frontline of climate change. Rising sea levels, cyclones, floods, salinity intrusion, and heat stress have made the country one of the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world.
Yet Bangladesh has also become one of the world's most remarkable examples of climate adaptation and resilience-building.
Discussions on Bangladesh’s climate priorities ahead of COP31 took place during the 64th meeting of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB64) of the UNFCCC in Bonn from June 8-18. The Bangladesh delegation was led by the special assistant to the prime minister of the newly formed government. As in previous years, I had the opportunity to follow the climate discussions and negotiations at SB64 and engage in a dialogue with the special assistant on Bangladesh’s future climate strategies.
Our exchange highlighted an important opportunity: Moving beyond the narrative of vulnerability and positioning Bangladesh as a global leader in climate solutions.
Bangladesh’s experience, particularly in community-led adaptation and resilience-building, offers valuable lessons for the world. At the same time, the country has an opportunity to further strengthen its role in global climate action by combining adaptation leadership with innovation, collaboration, and strategic engagement.
Based on discussions and reflections from SB64, five priorities deserve particular attention as Bangladesh prepares for COP31.
Demonstrate the power of community-led adaptation
Bangladesh's greatest climate success story is not found in international conference halls but in local communities.
Over the last decades, investments in cyclone preparedness, community-based disaster management, early warning systems, climate-resilient agriculture, and local adaptation initiatives have dramatically reduced climate-related mortality and strengthened resilience across vulnerable regions.
These achievements are increasingly recognized internationally as examples of successful adaptation in practice.
However, Bangladesh has not always been effective in translating these experiences into global influence. Stronger documentation, monitoring, and communication of adaptation outcomes are needed.
Robust data demonstrating how local adaptation initiatives reduce vulnerability, improve livelihoods, and strengthen resilience can help position Bangladesh as a global knowledge leader.
At a time when many countries are struggling to operationalize adaptation goals, Bangladesh possesses evidence and experience that the world urgently needs.
Lead on mitigation with adaptation co-benefits
Adaptation will rightly remain Bangladesh's highest climate priority. Yet adaptation and mitigation should not be viewed as competing agendas.
The most successful climate investments increasingly deliver both emissions reductions and resilience benefits. Renewable energy systems can strengthen energy security during climate-related disruptions. Nature-based solutions such as mangrove restoration can simultaneously store carbon, reduce disaster risks, and protect livelihoods. Climate-smart agriculture can improve food security while reducing emissions.
By prioritizing mitigation projects that generate adaptation co-benefits, Bangladesh can strengthen its international position, attract additional financing, and demonstrate how developing countries can pursue integrated climate action.
Rather than choosing between adaptation and mitigation, Bangladesh can show how the two agendas reinforce one another.
Expand participation and co-development
Climate action is most effective when it is co-created.Bangladesh has a vibrant ecosystem of NGOs, community organizations, researchers, youth groups, social enterprises, and local governments working on climate issues. Yet these actors are not always fully integrated into national climate planning and implementation processes.
Future climate strategies should place greater emphasis on collaborative governance, participatory planning, and co-development. Citizens and local communities possess valuable knowledge about risks, vulnerabilities, and practical solutions. Their involvement improves both legitimacy and effectiveness.
International experience increasingly shows that climate transitions succeed when governments act not only as regulators but also as facilitators of collaboration between public, private, academic, and civil society actors.
Strengthen negotiation capacity
As climate negotiations become increasingly complex, effective participation requires a diverse range of expertise.
Bangladesh has long been respected within the UNFCCC process, particularly on adaptation and climate justice. However, future negotiations will increasingly involve highly technical discussions around climate finance, carbon markets, technology transfer, loss and damage mechanisms, and implementation frameworks.
To maximize influence at COP31 and beyond, Bangladesh should continue expanding the diversity of expertise within its delegations. Alongside government officials, delegations can benefit from economists, scientists, legal experts, finance specialists, communication professionals, and experienced negotiators.
Strong climate diplomacy requires both technical knowledge and strategic negotiation skills.
Prepare for emerging carbon market opportunities
The operationalization of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement is creating new opportunities for international carbon trading and climate finance.
Many developing countries are now positioning themselves to benefit from emerging carbon markets through high-quality mitigation projects, nature-based solutions, and capacity-building initiatives. Bangladesh should actively prepare for this evolving landscape.
This requires investments in institutional capacity, transparent governance systems, project development expertise, monitoring frameworks, and stakeholder engagement. Universities, research institutions, private sector actors, and local communities all have important roles to play.
If approached strategically, carbon markets could become an additional source of climate finance while supporting sustainable development objectives.
A new chapter
Bangladesh has already demonstrated that climate vulnerability does not prevent climate leadership. The country's achievements in adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and resilience-building are recognized around the world.
The challenge now is to build on that foundation.
By showcasing community-led adaptation successes, integrating mitigation and resilience objectives, strengthening collaborative governance, enhancing negotiation capacity, and preparing for emerging climate finance opportunities, Bangladesh can help shape the global climate agenda rather than simply respond to it.
As the world prepares for COP31, Bangladesh has an opportunity to present itself not only as a country at risk from climate change, but as a country helping to define the solutions.
Dr Avit Bhowmik is a Climate Scientist and Associate Professor of Risk and Environmental Studies, Karlstad University, Sweden.