As Bangladesh prepares to attend the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, civil society organisations, policymakers and researchers are calling for climate justice, grant-based finance and stronger accountability in climate governance.
Three sets of recommendations — a position paper by the Climate Justice Alliance–Bangladesh (CJA-B), a national dialogue involving 33 organisations and a policy brief by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) — highlight the need for greater international support and improved domestic oversight.
The CJA-B, a coalition of 54 civil society organisations, has urged developed countries to fulfil their climate finance commitments and uphold the 1.5°C temperature goal, equity and human rights. It also called for stronger adaptation measures, a permanent loss and damage agenda, transparent carbon markets and a just energy transition.
The alliance estimates that annual global adaptation needs stand at $310–365 billion, against current funding of around $60 billion. It also says the loss and damage fund has received approximately $822 million in pledges, of which around $414 million has been paid, while annual requirements approach $400 billion.
At a national dialogue in Dhaka, Foreign Affairs State Minister Shama Obaed Islam urged developed countries to provide climate finance through grants rather than loans. She stressed that commitments must translate into action and called for stronger coordination among government agencies, civil society, businesses and experts.
Bangladesh’s own climate financing needs are substantial. Under its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), the country aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20.31%, or 84.97 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, by 2035. Implementing the plan between 2026 and 2035 is estimated to require $116.18 billion, including $90.23 billion in international support.
The National Adaptation Plan for 2023–2050 identifies 113 initiatives requiring around $230 billion.
TIB’s policy brief raises concerns about the scale and quality of international climate finance. It estimates global annual requirements at $9 trillion, compared with current flows of about $2.6 trillion.
Although developed countries reported providing $137 billion in climate finance in 2024, TIB, citing Oxfam, says the actual value may be only $33–45 billion after accounting for double-counting and the relabelling of existing development assistance. Around 67% of reported climate finance that year was provided as loans.
Bangladesh needs approximately $20 billion annually between 2020 and 2030 but received around $800 million from international sources between 2010 and 2024, according to the brief. Annual adaptation needs are estimated at $8.5–12.5 billion, against available funding of around $1.2 billion.
TIB also points to delays in accessing funds, saying the Green Climate Fund takes an average of 562 days to release the first instalment after approving a project, while 92% of projects miss disbursement deadlines.
On domestic governance, the organisation raises concerns over shrinking allocations to the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund, delayed projects and weak oversight. It says Tk8.73 billion from the fund remains deposited with Padma Bank.
TIB has called for increased allocations to the trust fund, recovery of the deposited money, an updated NDC, a revised energy master plan and a clear commitment to phasing out fossil fuels. It also wants stronger safeguards for carbon markets and an end to double-counting in international climate finance.
Participants at the national discussions further stressed the need to involve young people, women, persons with disabilities and marginalised communities in climate policymaking, alongside support for displaced families and locally led adaptation.
