Leading the way

As the consequences of climate change become more evident, it is increasingly clear that the poorest citizens of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are most vulnerable to its impact. With the slow progress being made at international climate-change negotiations in curbing greenhouse-gas emissions, the need for these countries to adapt to climate change is becoming increasingly urgent. Aware of this reality, many of these nation states are taking steps to make their populations more resilient to the effects of climate change.

One country that is currently ahead in the game of adaptation is Bangladesh, which is greatly vulnerable to the consequences of climate change. It is estimated that some 20 million Bangladeshis in low-lying areas will lose their homes by 2050. Indeed, it is possible that a significant part of the Bangladeshi landmass will become submerged by the end of the century, leading to tens of millions more climate refugees. With the situation so grave, however, the issue was quickly taken on by the government and the wider civil society. Internationally, Dhaka has been engaged in international climate change negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change since the document's inception in 1992, when Dhaka signed it. To date, Bangladesh has participated in all the UNFCCC negotiations, often playing a significant role at meetings. From 2004 through 2006, for example, Bangladesh was elected by the LDC countries to chair the group. During this period, it was able to bring the disparate group of nearly 50 LDCs from Africa and Asia together under a common agenda and negotiating strategy, which in turn enabled the group to negotiate a special LDC Fund to support adaptation planning in these countries.