Bangladesh has urged developed countries to accelerate climate finance delivery, saying it needs between $10 billion and $11 billion annually to address the impacts of climate change, as international funding commitments continue to fall short of the needs of vulnerable nations.
The country is already spending an estimated $4.5 billion to $5 billion annually from domestic sources on climate-related initiatives, highlighting the scale of investment required to strengthen resilience and support its transition to a lower-carbon economy.
The demand was raised at a press briefing by the Bangladesh delegation on Thursday during the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, where climate finance remains a central issue in negotiations between developed and developing countries.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said the progress made in pledging climate finance had not been matched by the actual delivery of funds.
The delegation called for more accessible international financing, particularly grant-based support, arguing that complex approval procedures and delays in disbursement were preventing vulnerable countries from responding effectively to climate risks.
Foreign Affairs State Minister Shama Obaed Islam stressed that financial assistance must reach communities facing the greatest climate threats rather than remain tied up in lengthy funding processes.
Responding to a question from Carbon Brief about Bangladesh's expectations from the climate finance work programme, a delegation representative said greater clarity was needed on funding responsibilities and distribution mechanisms.
The representative also highlighted the challenges facing communities displaced by river erosion, underscoring the need for financing arrangements that can respond to the immediate needs of climate-affected populations.
LDCs seek $120bn in adaptation finance
Bangladesh's demands reflect broader concerns among least developed countries (LDCs) over the widening gap between climate finance commitments and the resources available to implement adaptation measures.
In its written statement, the delegation backed the LDC Group's call for a threefold increase in adaptation finance to $120 billion annually before 2035.
It urged developed countries to meet their existing climate finance commitments and expand grant-based assistance, particularly to support the implementation of National Adaptation Plans in climate-vulnerable countries.
Bangladesh also called for simplified and more direct access to the Green Climate Fund, the Global Environment Facility and the Adaptation Fund.
The delegation supported an LDC proposal to establish a platform connecting national adaptation priorities with potential funders and development partners, aiming to bridge the gap between countries' climate plans and their implementation.
On the Global Goal on Adaptation, Bangladesh said the proposed Belém Adaptation Indicators should provide a meaningful way to measure progress in climate resilience without introducing additional reporting requirements for developing countries.
It also called for greater financial and technical support for locally led adaptation, recognising the importance of community-level initiatives in responding to climate impacts.
Loss and damage funding remains inadequate
Bangladesh raised concerns over the limited resources available to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, saying its existing financing was insufficient to meet demand from submitted proposals.
The delegation called for increased financial contributions, simplified direct-access arrangements and faster disbursement to countries experiencing the consequences of climate change.
It also stressed that funding should address both economic losses, such as damage to infrastructure and livelihoods, and non-economic losses, including displacement and damage to cultural and social assets.
The written statement further said Bangladesh was among the first five countries expected to receive $30 million each from the Climate Investment Funds.
Coastal infrastructure and climate-resilient agriculture were identified as priority areas for the expected financing.
Bangladesh warns against climate-related trade barriers
The delegation also raised concerns over unilateral climate-related trade measures, including the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
It warned that such measures could place additional pressure on businesses, workers and exporters in developing countries, potentially undermining their economic development efforts.
Responding to questions about whether the issue should feature in a COP31 decision, a delegation representative argued that countries that had benefited from activities contributing to the climate crisis should also take responsibility for supporting those most affected.
The representative said climate policies should not create additional trade barriers for developing economies already facing the costs of climate impacts and the transition to cleaner production.
Journalists also questioned whether COP negotiations included dedicated financing to protect children and safeguard their education in climate-vulnerable countries.
A delegation representative said they were not aware of any specific financing demand exclusively dedicated to children, while referring to ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare services.
On the broader question of benefits for vulnerable communities, the delegation said international negotiations had helped establish climate change as a shared global challenge and encouraged countries to develop action plans, although implementation remained a major challenge.
Emissions targets tied to international support
Bangladesh accounts for less than 0.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions but has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing emissions under its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
The country has pledged to reduce emissions by 6.39% below its business-as-usual projection by 2035 using domestic efforts, with a further 13.92% reduction conditional on receiving international support.
The delegation backed extending the Mitigation Work Programme through 2030, calling for sector-specific action supported by adequate financing, technology transfer and capacity-building.
It also stressed that the transition to a low-carbon economy must be just and inclusive, prioritising least developed and other climate-vulnerable countries while protecting employment, expanding skills development and providing social protection for affected workers and communities.
Bangladesh said it would continue coordinating with the LDC Group, the G77 and China, and other international partners during the second week of COP31 to push for stronger outcomes on climate finance.
For Dhaka, the central challenge is no longer simply securing new financial pledges but ensuring that promised resources reach countries and communities facing the consequences of a crisis they have contributed relatively little to creating.
This story was produced as part of the COP31 Climate Change Media Partnership, a journalism fellowship organised by Internews' Earth Journalism Network, Informed Earth and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security.
