Bangladesh faces a tough litmus test

The 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, will be a major test of Bangladesh’s climate diplomacy as Dhaka seeks greater access to international climate finance, adaptation support and funding for loss and damage.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to participate in the global climate summit.

Ahead of COP31, Bangladesh is stepping up diplomatic efforts to secure a fairer share of global climate finance and stronger international support for adaptation and addressing climate-related loss and damage.

Kazi Ehsanul Haque, director general of the Climate Diplomacy Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Bangladesh was making extensive preparations focusing on emissions reduction, adaptation, climate finance and loss and damage.

“Bangladesh has taken strong preparations for COP31 on reducing carbon emissions, adaptation, climate finance and loss and damage,” he said.

He said Bangladesh had participated actively in previous COPs and was now holding regular consultations with relevant ministries, government agencies, think tanks, NGOs and other stakeholders as part of its preparations for COP31.

Climate experts say COP31 will be different from many previous climate summits as the emphasis is expected to shift from making new commitments to implementing existing ones.

The COP31 presidency has described the conference as an “Implementation COP” and a “COP of the Future”, with an emphasis on translating previous commitments into practical and measurable action. Key areas include energy transition and electrification, climate finance, resilient cities and infrastructure, sustainable agriculture and food systems, green industrial transformation, and strengthening the resilience of vulnerable regions and ecosystems.

Bangladesh’s position

With a long and densely populated coastline, Bangladesh remains highly exposed to cyclones, tidal surges, salinity intrusion, erratic rainfall and other climate-related hazards. These recurring impacts have placed long-term pressure on the country’s economy, food security, infrastructure and livelihoods.

The country spends significant amounts each year on rehabilitation, reconstruction and restoring agricultural production following climate-related disasters.

Although Bangladesh contributes less than 0.56 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, it remains among the countries most exposed to climate impacts, according to the UNDP.

Professor Dr Ahmed Kamruzzaman Majumder, dean of the Faculty of Science at Stamford University and a joint secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), said Bangladesh had contributed very little to global emissions but was bearing a disproportionate share of the consequences.

“Bangladesh is responsible for a very small portion of the world’s carbon emissions, but it is bearing some of the worst impacts of climate change,” he told Asia Post.

“In this context, the international community has to ensure adequate financing, technology transfer and capacity-building on the basis of climate justice,” he said.

Professor Mohammad Shafi Ullah of the Department of Geography and Environment at the University of Dhaka said Bangladesh was not only a victim of climate change but had also emerged as an example of climate adaptation.

Bangladesh has been bearing a substantial share of climate-related expenditure from its national budget, he said.

Therefore, Bangladesh’s demands at COP31 are not simply about seeking sympathy, experts said. They are rooted in climate justice, equitable access to climate finance and the principle of shared international responsibility.

Climate finance: the biggest issue

Climate finance is expected to be one of Bangladesh’s top priorities at COP31.

According to Bangladesh’s NDC 3.0, the country requires $116.18 billion to implement its mitigation targets for 2026–2035. Of this, $90.23 billion is expected to come from international climate finance, while $25.95 billion will come from domestic support.

Professor Shafi Ullah said securing the required international financing would be a major challenge.

Developing countries have long complained that the climate finance pledged by developed countries often fails to reach vulnerable nations in the promised volume and within the expected timeframe. They also argue that accessing available funds can involve lengthy and complicated procedures.

The financing gap is particularly acute for adaptation. UNDP estimates that Bangladesh needs more than $26 billion annually to address climate-related challenges, while the country currently receives only a fraction of what it requires.

Against this backdrop, Bangladesh has begun developing its first National Climate Finance Strategy under the leadership of the Finance Division. The strategy is intended to create a country-led roadmap for mobilising and managing climate finance and to help bridge the gap between national climate priorities and available financing.

Experts believe the issue could lead to tough negotiations at COP31.

“Ensuring adequate climate finance remains a major challenge,” Professor Shafi Ullah said, pointing to developed countries’ reluctance to release funds, the slow pace of disbursement and the increasing reliance on loans rather than grants as major concerns.

What will be Bangladesh’s strategy?

Diplomatic and environmental experts say Bangladesh should avoid negotiating in isolation and instead strengthen coordination with other climate-vulnerable and developing countries.

A common position on making the loss-and-damage funding mechanism effective, increasing grant-based adaptation finance, ensuring technology transfer and strengthening developing countries’ institutional capacity could enhance Bangladesh’s negotiating power.

Professor Kamruzzaman said Bangladesh should adopt a coordinated position with other climate-vulnerable countries.

At the same time, experts believe Dhaka should intensify bilateral engagement with Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada and other development partners.

Professor Shafi Ullah said Bangladesh’s diplomatic strategy should focus on climate justice, easier access to climate finance and stronger protection for communities affected by climate change.

Opportunities beyond climate finance

COP31 should not be viewed solely as a platform for seeking climate finance, experts said. It could also provide opportunities for economic diplomacy, technology transfer, green investment and international partnerships.

Bangladesh could highlight investment opportunities in renewable energy, climate-resilient coastal infrastructure, urban water and drainage management, climate-smart agriculture and advanced disaster forecasting and early-warning systems.

The COP31 presidency has also emphasised the need to turn climate commitments into investable projects and accelerate the flow of finance to implementation on the ground.

Coordination among ministries

Bangladesh’s preparations for COP31 are expected to require close coordination among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Finance Division and other relevant agencies.

Officials and experts say lessons from Bangladesh’s participation in previous COPs should inform the country’s negotiating strategy this year.

The emphasis, they say, should be on translating diplomatic commitments into concrete financial and technical support.

The main challenge

The biggest challenge for Bangladesh at COP31 will be securing actual and timely financing rather than simply obtaining new promises, experts said.

Developing countries have repeatedly complained that large financial pledges often fail to translate into accessible funding because of complicated procedures, lengthy approval processes and stringent eligibility requirements.

Bangladesh therefore needs to strengthen its institutional capacity to prepare bankable projects, improve project implementation and ensure internationally credible environmental and financial safeguards to access climate finance more quickly.

Bangladesh’s strength in climate diplomacy

Professor Kamruzzaman said Bangladesh had emerged as an increasingly important voice in global climate diplomacy.

The country’s experience in disaster management, climate adaptation, community-based resilience and its participation in international climate negotiations have earned recognition globally, he said.

Professor Shafi Ullah also highlighted Bangladesh’s experience in adapting to climate risks.

For Bangladesh, therefore, COP31 represents more than another round of climate negotiations. It is a test of whether the country can convert its moral and diplomatic standing as one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations into greater access to finance, technology and international support—and, ultimately, turn global climate commitments into tangible protection for its people.