Bangladesh needs evidence-based climate policy ahead of COP31: Experts

Bangladesh needs to move away from donor-driven climate responses and adopt science-backed policies based on local needs and measurable outcomes, experts said ahead of the COP31 climate summit.

They made the remarks at a plenary session titled "Evidence-Based Climate Policy: A Vision for COP31" on the opening day of the two-day International Conference on Environment and Climate Action (ICECA) 2026 at Sonapahar in Chattogram yesterday (7 August).

Organised by the Asian University for Women, the session brought together researchers, academics, climate finance specialists and journalists to discuss climate finance, displacement, governance and accountability.

Shamsuddin Illius, Chattogram bureau chief of The Business Standard, said Bangladesh needed to strengthen the link between scientific research, policymaking and public communication.

"We need science-backed, evidence-based and solution-oriented stories that can connect policymakers, researchers and scientists," he said.

He said Bangladesh would need credible evidence on climate risks, adaptation, loss and damage, and displacement to strengthen its position in international climate negotiations, particularly when seeking climate finance.

Climate journalism could also contribute to this evidence base by documenting impacts on vulnerable communities, scrutinising climate policies and assessing whether projects deliver their promised results, he said.

Carbon audits could boost domestic climate finance

Illius also proposed systematic carbon audits for major corporate emitters as a potential source of domestic climate financing.

Large companies could be required to measure and report their emissions annually alongside sustainability reporting, he said. Such data could help regulators develop mechanisms for major emitters to contribute directly to climate and environmental financing.

"CSR is not philanthropic work. They should pay for sustainability," he said.

Tanzina Dilshad, programme manager for energy and environment at the Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, said climate finance needed evidence-based and bankable projects capable of attracting investment.

She acknowledged concerns over rising debt associated with climate financing and called for innovative financing mechanisms to reduce dependence on international borrowing.

"The risk of debt burden is true," she said.

Climate migration needs clearer policy

Nazifa Rafa, senior instructor at the Asian University for Women, highlighted the need for clearer recognition of climate-related human mobility in policy planning.

She said people displaced by climate impacts do not experience migration in the same way. Some move temporarily or permanently, while others remain in vulnerable areas because they lack the resources to relocate.

Better classification of these forms of mobility could help policymakers design more targeted support, she said.

M Mofazzal Hossain of the Change Initiative, who moderated the session, called for a shift from state-centred climate action towards community ownership.

"It is high time that the development partners, governments and think-tanks shift their priorities from state-based modalities to a community-owned approach for both climate finance and climate actions," he said.

Speakers said local data, scientific research, financial analysis and independent reporting should be brought together to determine where climate funds are most needed and whether projects are producing measurable benefits.

The discussions come three months before COP31, scheduled to be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9-20 November, where countries will negotiate climate finance, adaptation and implementation of international climate commitments.

ICECA 2026 is being held on 7-8 August under the theme "Commoning Our Futures with Climate Justice". The conference brings together researchers, students, activists and practitioners to discuss climate resilience, gender justice, sustainable economies and environmental governance.