National workshop spotlighted people-led climate adaptation plan

Findings from the locally led People's Adaptation Plans for inclusive water and sanitation services for 106 low-income communities across 17 Chattogram City Corporation area wards were presented at a national-level consultation held on Monday, April 28, 2025, at the Lakeshore Hotel in Dhaka.

WaterAid Bangladesh and Dushtha Shasthya Kendra (DSK) facilitated the locally led process of developing people's adaptation plans, with support from the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the UK Government, to inform the World Bank-financed Chattogram Water Supply and Sanitation Project (CWSIP).

The consultation was organised to present the results of the People's Plans, gather feedback from stakeholders, identify gaps, and establish a consensus regarding the next steps for finalising the People's Adaptation Plan. More than 60 key stakeholders attended the event, including representatives from Chattogram WASA, Chattogram City Corporation, Local Government Division, British High Commission, and civil society.

As part of the People's Adaptation Planning process, GCA local partners WaterAid Bangladesh and DSK facilitated locally led climate risk profiling and participatory risk assessments in 106 low-income communities. Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) completed this community-led data collection process through scientific climate risk assessments. The process was initiated in Chattogram in June 2024 with endorsement from Chattogram City Corporation and Chattogram WASA to inform investments by the World Bank's Chattogram Water Supply and Sanitation Project (CWSIP).

This locally led initiative, spearheaded by the local communities themselves, has formulated adaptation plans tailored to these communities' specific vulnerabilities and needs. The plans have undergone rigorous verification and refinement through ward and city-level consultations, incorporating valuable feedback from various stakeholders and responsible authorities.

"Climate change is an everyday reality, not a distant threat—but its complexity, cloaked in jargon, often alienates the people it impacts most. To make adaptation meaningful, we must internalise climate action, embed it into national planning, and empower locally led responses," said Ms Hasin Jahan, Country Director for WaterAid Bangladesh.

Appreciating the partnership with WaterAid and DSK, Dr M Feisal Rahman, Country Manager of Global Centre on Adaptation Bangladesh, highlighted that through the Global Hub on LLA, GCA aims to scale up LLA by linking People's Adaptation Plans developed by communities to investments by international financial institutions (IFIs) under its Adaptation Acceleration Programme. "Although the CWSIP Project will implement parts of the People's Plans, I urge all the city authorities – Chattogram WASA, City Corporation and Chattogram Development Authority- to integrate these plans into your annual city development plans," he added.

"We are responsible for climate change—our consumerism drives it. In the WASH sector, which is critically important, we can't afford to wait until it's too late. We must be proactive, shift our mindset, and step up before we reach the point of no return," said Md. Fazlur Rahman, Additional Secretary of the Water Supply Division, Local Government Division and Managing Director, Dhaka WASA. This kind of community-led plan will help all the WASAS to plan their service provision. I request WaterAid to share the findings with all WASAs using a coordination platform," he added.

"This locally led plan is essential for inclusive and climate-resilient urban development. The learnings of these plans will be invaluable for the Locally Led Adaptation Framework and the National Urban Policy that the Bangladesh Government is currently finalising. I want to thank GCA and partners for taking such a timely initiative," said A B M Feroz Ahmed, Livelihood Adviser and Deputy Team Leader for the Climate Change and Environment team at the British High Commission Dhaka.

"Chattogram City Corporation doesn't have a dedicated R&D wing, and we need it daily. This in-depth community-led assessment will help us guide future service delivery in low-income communities. We are committed to incorporating solutions identified in the People's Adaptation Plans in our next annual development plan," said Sheikh Mohammed Tauhidul Islam, Chief Executive Officer of Chattogram City Corporation.

The climate risk assessment results and the solutions identified in the adaptation plans will help CWASA better target low-income communities as part of CWSIP. Considering CWASA's ongoing and upcoming project portfolio, I am hopeful that we will be able to ensure water access to all citizens, including low-income communities, by 2030. However, we need technical support to produce a detailed water-sourcing strategy to address future needs, especially considering rapid urbanisation. I would request WaterAid and GCA to support us on that," said Mahbubul Alam, Superintending Engineer, Chattogram WASA.