Zero carbon, maximum resilience: The future of climate adaptation strategies

Climate change poses an existential threat to Bangladesh, one of the most vulnerable countries due to its geographical location, high population density, and dependence on agriculture. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and changing monsoon patterns significantly affect livelihoods, food security, and economic stability.

According to the Global Climate Risk Index (2021), Bangladesh ranks among the world's top ten most climate-affected countries (Eckstein et al.,2021). In response, Bangladesh has been implementing various climate adaptation strategies, but a more holistic and sustainable approach is needed.

Climate change adaptation projects, which aim to manage the impacts of climate change, seek to build resilience against risks such as floods, cyclones, droughts, and sea-level rise. However, these projects can inadvertently contribute to carbon emissions through infrastructure development, energy-intensive solutions, and mechanized farming. While adaptation is essential, integrating low-carbon strategies ensures that mitigation efforts are not compromised.

Despite being highly vulnerable to climate change, Bangladesh's contribution to global carbon emissions remains relatively low. However, as the country experiences rapid economic growth and urbanization, its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions gradually increase. Bangladesh accounts for approximately 0.4% of global CO₂ emissions, which is significantly lower than major emitters like China, the USA, and India. In 2021, Bangladesh emitted around 102 million metric tons of CO₂, with a per capita emission of 0.56 metric tons—far below the global average of 4.7 metric tons per person (World Bank, 2022).

According to the Global Carbon Atlas, industrial expansion and urbanisation have led to an increase in Bangladesh's emissions. Bangladesh submitted an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC, committing unconditionally to reduce 6.73 million tons of CO₂ by 2030.

Adaptation projects often involve constructing climate-resilient buildings, roads, embankments, and water management systems. These developments require materials that are energy-intensive, resulting in significant carbon emissions.

Cement and Steel Production: 

• Cement production accounts for 8% of global CO₂ emissions (International Energy Agency, 2022).
• Steel contributes nearly 7% of global GHG emissions (World Steel Association, 2021).
• In Bangladesh, infrastructure projects consume over 25 million tons of cement annually, significantly increasing the carbon footprint (Bangladesh Cement Manufacturers Association, 2023).

Sea Walls and Embankments: 

• A 1-kilometer-long sea wall emits around 40,000 tons of CO₂ due to concrete use (Global Infrastructure Facility, 2021).
• Bangladesh's Coastal Embankment Improvement Project (CEIP) involves strengthening 600 kilometres of embankments, leading to considerable emissions.

Energy Use in Adaptation Technologies

Some adaptation strategies rely on fossil fuel-based technologies, increasing emissions.

• Diesel-powered irrigation pumps contribute 20% of Bangladesh's agricultural emissions (FAO, 2021).
• In contrast, solar irrigation pumps can reduce emissions by 0.5–1 ton of CO₂ per pump annually (IDCOL, 2023).
• Energy-intensive desalination plants are necessary in saline-affected coastal areas but emit 1.5 kg of CO₂ per cubic meter of treated water (UNESCO, 2022).

Agricultural Adaptation Measures

While climate-smart agriculture is essential, some adaptation strategies contribute to carbon emissions.

• Rice cultivation in flooded fields produces methane (CH₄), 25 times more potent than CO₂ (IPCC, 2021).
• Bangladesh's rice sector emits 21.3 million tons of CO₂-equivalent methane annually (FAO, 2023).

Understanding Carbon Neutral Adaptation

Carbon-neutral adaptation is a dual-pronged strategy that combines climate adaptation with mitigation. Unlike traditional adaptation measures, which primarily focus on building resilience, carbon-zero adaptation ensures that all adaptation strategies contribute to reducing carbon footprints. This approach aligns with global commitments such as the Paris Agreement (UNFCCC, 2015) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The CnCCAP aims to integrate renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, green infrastructure, and community-based initiatives to achieve climate resilience while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The Carbon Zero Climate Change Adaptation Project Framework

Carbon-neutral adaptation represents a transformative approach that merges climate resilience with mitigation, ensuring that adaptation strategies not only withstand climate impacts but also actively reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This dual-purpose strategy is crucial for achieving international climate goals, aligning closely with the Paris Agreement (UNFCCC, 2015) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Carbon Zero Climate Change Adaptation Project (CnCCAP) exemplifies this integrated approach by promoting renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, eco-friendly infrastructure, community-led initiatives, and reforestation. Central to the CnCCAP framework is the transition to clean energy sources such as solar, wind, biogas, biomass, micro-hydro, and tidal power. For instance, Bangladesh's "Solar Home System" initiative has already reached over 4 million households (IDCOL, 2021), and solar-powered irrigation has the potential to replace a million diesel pumps, cutting 4.8 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually (Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture, 2023).

In agriculture, the project emphasizes climate-resilient crops like BRRI Dhan-67, organic farming, agroforestry, water-efficient irrigation, and methane-reducing practices such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), which can reduce methane emissions by 48% without compromising yields (IRRI, 2022). Using biochar and organic fertilizers further enhances soil health while reducing fertiliser-related emissions by up to 30% (FAO, 2022). Green infrastructure forms another project pillar, advocating for sustainable housing, low-carbon building materials such as geopolymer cement and bamboo, and climate-smart urban transport systems. These innovations can reduce emissions from construction and housing by 40–50% (World Green Building Council, 2023; World Bank, 2023).

To safeguard vulnerable ecosystems and communities, CnCCAP incorporates coastal and riverine protection strategies, including mangrove reforestation—particularly in the Sundarbans, which sequesters about 17 million tons of CO₂ annually (World Bank, 2022)—as well as embankment strengthening and the development of floating villages. Community empowerment is integral to this model, focusing on participatory local adaptation plans, vocational training for green jobs, and enhanced early warning systems. Lastly, large-scale reforestation and afforestation, including agroforestry and community forest initiatives, aim to significantly boost carbon sequestration, with projects targeting 100 million trees expected to offset 2.2 million tons of CO₂ annually (Bangladesh Forest Department, 2023). Altogether, CnCCAP provides a holistic and forward-looking roadmap for achieving climate resilience while staying committed to carbon neutrality.

For instance, the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) will construct 3000 climate-resilient, sustainable houses for the climate-vulnerable coastal people under the RHL project, financed by the Green Climate Fund. The approximate size of the house is 150 square feet, and the Carbon Footprint of the house is approximately 2.63 tons CO₂. A mature tree absorbs approximately 22 kg (48 lbs) of CO₂ annually (USDA Forest Service, 2022). Over 40 years, a tree can sequester about one ton of CO₂ (assuming optimal growth conditions). Thus, about 45 trees are needed to offset one ton of CO₂ annually. To offset 2.63 tons of CO₂, we need to plant ~120 trees (assuming each tree absorbs ~22 kg CO₂/year). The total carbon footprint of the project's climate-resilient house will be 7890 tons CO₂. To offset this amount of CO₂, the project smartly planned to plant 400000 trees (the requirement was 355,000 trees). In addition to this, the house will also be equipped with a mini solar system, an improved cook stove, and a vermicompost system. The cemented block will be used instead of mud-kilned brick for the houses. All of this will ultimately make the project carbon-negative.  As Bangladesh is a land-scarce country, it will not be possible to offset CO₂ by tree plantation. However, Proper planning and choice of construction materials can help to reduce the adaptation project's carbon footprint.  

The carbon-neutral Climate Change Adaptation Project (CnCCAP) offers a transformative approach to tackling climate change in Bangladesh. By integrating adaptation with mitigation, leveraging renewable energy, and empowering local communities, CnCCAP can set a global precedent for sustainable resilience-building. With robust policy support, financial investment, and stakeholder collaboration, Bangladesh can achieve carbon neutrality while safeguarding its future against climate change. Implementing CnCCAP will ensure environmental sustainability and drive economic growth and social equity, making Bangladesh a model for climate action worldwide.

Views expressed in this article are the author's own, not necessarily a reflection of organisational.

Md Abu Nashir Khan. Photo: Courtesy

The writer is a deputy general manager (Environment and Climate Change) at PKSF, and a certified expert on Climate Adaptation Finance.