BD facing mounting climate risks

Bangladesh is facing a growing convergence of climate threats, with extreme heat, floods, cyclones, sea-level rise, salinity intrusion and agricultural losses posing serious risks to food and water security, livelihoods and economic growth.

The country’s low-lying deltaic geography, extensive coastline and high population density make it particularly vulnerable to the compounding impacts of climate change.

The issue is expected to feature prominently in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s engagements at the United Nations in New York tomorrow. He will address a high-level meeting on the existential threats posed by sea-level rise during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. On the same day, he will deliver Bangladesh’s address to the General Debate of the General Assembly for the first time.

International assessments show that climate risks are already creating significant economic and social pressures across Bangladesh.

According to a 2025 World Bank report, about 46 percent of South Asia’s population is currently exposed to excessive heat. If current trends continue, nearly 89 percent of the region’s population�"around 1.8 billion people�"could face excessive heat by 2030.

The report also estimates that around 402 million people in South Asia are currently exposed to floods, while about 462 million could be at risk of floods exceeding an average depth of 15 centimetres by 2030.

For Bangladesh, extreme heat could increase health risks and reduce the productivity of outdoor workers, while more severe flooding could disrupt agriculture, transport, infrastructure and economic activity.

The World Bank’s Country Climate and Development Report for Bangladesh says a severe flood could reduce the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by as much as 9 percent.

Sea-level rise and agriculture
Sea-level rise is another major long-term threat. The IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report says sea levels will continue to rise along Asian coasts, increasing the risk of coastal flooding. In Bangladesh, the combination of rising seas, land subsidence and salinity intrusion could place additional pressure on agriculture and freshwater supplies.

Agriculture is particularly vulnerable to extreme heat, irregular rainfall, floods, droughts and salinity. The World Bank estimates that by 2050, climate change and extreme weather could put Bangladesh’s agricultural sector at risk of losing up to one-third of its GDP.

The impacts could extend beyond farmers, affecting food prices, rural employment and the wider economy.

13.3 m could become climate migrants Climate change could also trigger large-scale internal displacement.