LLA in the Context of Bangladesh
Given Bangladesh's vulnerability and pioneering leadership in climate change adaptation, Locally-led Adaptation (LLA) can be instrumental in empowering vulnerable communities consistently. Despite formulating several policies from 2005 to 2021—such as NAPA, BCCSAP, NDC, Bangladesh Delta Plan, Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, and NAP—there remains a significant gap in financing for local actors who need it most urgently. Often, this gap overlooks the essential knowledge and expertise these local actors offer.
Recent estimates indicate that less than 10 percent of climate finance from international climate funds is allocated to local action. Furthermore, less than 2% of humanitarian aid directly reaches local partners, and less than 5% of official funding for environmental protection goes to Indigenous peoples and other local communities. In Bangladesh, LLA can be leveraged to ensure a more equitable distribution of power and resources, elevate local innovation and knowledge, and build more effective resilience.
LLA can also serve as a catalyst to create a unique platform for the Community of Practitioners in Bangladesh, facilitating the co-production of knowledge and implementation of adaptation strategies.
Implementing LLA: key challenges in Bangladesh
Over the past two decades, the government's climate change adaptation policies have progressively shifted from merely 'community engagement' to 'enhancing community resilience and promoting local leadership'. This change underscores the government's recognition of the crucial role community engagement plays in effective adaptation interventions. However, despite this progress, significant gaps persist in the implementation of these policies at the grassroots level and in monitoring their effectiveness. A major obstacle to scaling up LLA interventions both nationally and sub-nationally is the lack of coordination between nodal ministries and the implementing bodies responsible for adaptation efforts, resulting in poor execution.
Furthermore, there exists a gap in the comprehensive comprehension of the concept of Locally-led Adaptation (LLA) at the local government level. Local governments, entrusted with the on-the-ground implementation of national climate change policies, often lack a sufficient understanding of how these policies should translate into practical actions and the significance of community engagement. This deficiency undermines their capacity to assume ownership or implement policies effectively. Additionally, they face constraints in human resources to establish monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes essential for assessing the effectiveness of adaptation measures.
Moreover, local governments must foster ownership and accountability among local communities. Presently, there is a noticeable deficiency in meaningful inclusion in adaptation planning and decision-making processes, heightening the risk of maladaptive and unsustainable interventions. Additional critical concerns regarding community inclusion and ownership encompass inadequate capacity building, limited alternative livelihood opportunities, challenges in accessing transparent financing, and the absence of context-specific interventions.
References
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Danish Instritute For International Studies. (2024, April 9). Locally-led climate change adaptation works: Here are eight ways to support it. https://www.diis.dk/en/research/locally-led-climate-change-adaptation-works-here-are-eight-ways-to-support-it
Global Center on Adaptation. (n.d.). Locally Led Adaptation. Global Center on Adaptation. Retrieved June 7, 2024, from https://gca.org/programs/locally-led-adaptation/
International Center for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD). (n.d.). Locally Led-Adaptation (LLA) Programme. Retrieved June 7, 2024, from https://www.icccad.net/programmes/lla-programme/
Mirza, A. B., Rozario, S. R., & Zahin, C. A. (2023, May). Scaling up locally led adaptation in Bangladesh: Three action areas. IIED. https://www.iied.org/21456iied
Principles for Locally Led Adaptation. (n.d.). Retrieved June 7, 2024, from https://www.wri.org/initiatives/locally-led-adaptation/principles-locally-led-adaptation
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