COP30, which begins today in Belém, Brazil under the theme of ‘Turning Climate Commitments into Action’ is far more than another climate conference for Bangladesh. The conference is a chance for Bangladesh to voice its grievances and assert its right to climate justice. Despite contributing less than 0.5 per cent to global carbon emissions, Bangladesh remains among the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, facing rising seas, erratic flooding and intensifying cyclones that endanger millions of lives. Bangladesh will demand a direct access to the loss-and-damage fund, increased adaptation financing, technology transfer and recognition of climate-induced displacement at the evebt. These are not appeals for charity but calls for justice from those most responsible, the developed nations that have contributed disproportionately to global warming. Yet, global pledges alone will not prevent coastal villages from vanishing or safeguard farmers from floods and droughts. The challenge Bangladesh faces is not only external. It lies in the failure to turn promises into practice at home. A recent Transparency International Bangladesh report exposes this failure. The report says that ibn 2010–2024, more than 54 per cent of funds for climate protection through the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust were reportedly misused or lost to corruption.
The corruption, as the report says, was systemic — politically motivated project approvals, conflicts of interest within the trust’s board and funds diverted to irrelevant ventures such as safari parks and eco-parks. If Bangladesh is to demand accountability abroad, it needs to restore it at home first, ensuring that every taka allocated for climate resilience reaches those who need it most. There are examples of what effective adaptation can look like. The PRO-ACT Bangladesh project in Cox’s Bazar, funded by the European Union and implemented with the Food and Agriculture Organisation, offers a hopeful model. The project aims to strengthen livelihood and restore ecosystems in one of the country’s most disaster-prone districts through sustainable agriculture, modern aquaculture, toxin-free fish processing and disaster-preparedness training. Moreover, its focus on women, smallholding farmers and marginalised groups shows how inclusive, community-led action can build real resilience. As climate threats intensify and funds dwindle, the path forward for Bangladesh rests on integrity, innovation and inclusion. The fight against climate change can no longer be waged through speeches and slogans. It requires an unyielding political will to root out corruption, the courage to harness domestic resources efficiently and the wisdom to empower local communities.
While the debates centring around climate justice at COP30 is important for the world, in general, and climate-vulnerable countries, in particular, for the many million climate victims in Bangladesh, local climate governance is more important than ever. The government should, therefore, shore up the issues to ensure effective climate governance.