Green activists and experts have urged the government to increase climate financing in the national budget, saying the proposed allocation for FY 2026"27 falls far short of the resources needed for effective climate adaptation.
They also demanded that climate finance be treated as a strategic national priority and increased to at least 3% of GDP to safeguard vulnerable communities.
The call was made at a seminar titled “National Budget 2026"27 And Climate Allocation” held at CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka on Sunday. The COAST Foundation, BDSCO Process, and EquityBD jointly organized the event.
Speakers said that despite continued economic growth, climate allocations have not increased proportionately. They noted that the current climate spending stands at only 0.76% of GDP, which is inadequate for addressing rising climate risks, particularly in coastal regions.
They demanded a separate climate adaptation plan focusing on coastal water management, including modernization of embankments, sluice gates, drainage systems, and polders. They also emphasized expanding safe water supply systems through rainwater harvesting, restoration of canals and water bodies, water-efficient irrigation, and promotion of salinity-tolerant agriculture.
Speakers also called for stricter regulation on deep tube wells to prevent groundwater depletion, especially in Cox’s Bazar and Rohingya refugee camps. They urged an immediate ban on new deep tube wells inside Rohingya camps and recommended treating Naf River water to ensure safe drinking water supply.
M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Executive Director of COAST Foundation moderated the seminar while M. A. Hasan, Head of the Climate Change Department of COAST Foundation, presented the keynote paper.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said climate justice for coastal communities must be reflected in the national budget. He highlighted salinity intrusion, river erosion, water scarcity, and climate-induced displacement as major threats to livelihoods and called for transparent climate financing targeting vulnerable populations.
Md. Ziaul Haque, Additional Director General of the Department of Environment, identified protection from water-related disasters and ensuring safe water for drinking and agriculture as key priorities. He stressed the importance of seawater desalination, pond excavation, and rainwater harvesting to tackle the growing water crisis.
Md. Mosharraf Hossain, Microfinance Policy and Advocacy Specialist, emphasised governance reforms and stronger accountability mechanisms to improve financial management and reduce budget deficits.
Tarek Sayeed Harun, Director of RDRS Bangladesh, raised concerns over declining private sector investment and called for greater recognition and policy support for Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs), which he said contribute significantly to the economy.
Other speakers included representatives from the Department of Environment, SDI, Environmental Journalists Forum, EquityBD, BDCSO Process, Manusher Jonno Foundation, and media organizations, who collectively stressed stronger climate action and inclusive financing.
