South Asia, characterized by dense populations, high temperatures, and exposed geography, is among the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions, with Bangladesh facing some of the highest risks. By 2030, nearly 90 percent of the region’s population is projected to be exposed to extreme heat, and almost a quarter at risk of severe flooding. Rising water and soil salinity in coastal areas is already impacting millions of lives in Bangladesh, highlighting the urgent need for effective climate adaptation.
The report “From Risk to Resilience: Helping People and Firms Adapt in South Asia” found that the burden of adaptation has largely fallen on households and businesses. While awareness of climate risks is high—with over three-quarters of households and firms expecting a weather shock in the next decade—most rely on basic, low-cost solutions rather than advanced technologies or public infrastructure. Surveys across 250 coastal villages in Bangladesh revealed that climate-resilient infrastructure is the most urgent unmet need, with 57 percent of households citing inadequate disaster-protection infrastructure and 56 percent highlighting limited financial resources as major adaptation challenges. Poor and agricultural households are disproportionately affected, showing that climate impacts are deeply human as well as environmental.
Public investments such as embankments and cyclone shelters have proven effective in saving lives and reducing damage. Case studies from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan demonstrate that well-targeted social assistance programs, coupled with timely information, can be scaled rapidly to support vulnerable populations. However, fiscal constraints limit governments’ capacity to act, making private sector-led adaptation, supported by a comprehensive policy framework, essential.
Jean Pesme, World Bank Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, emphasized that while adaptation efforts are widespread, the increasing climate risks demand more action. Enhancing early warning systems, social protection, climate-smart agriculture, and innovative adaptation finance, alongside targeted urban interventions, is crucial for building resilience.
The report advocates for a multi-pronged climate adaptation strategy. Expanding access to formal credit and insurance, improving transport and digital networks, and strengthening social support systems can enable the private sector to direct resources and investments to where they are most needed. Governments can support adaptation by providing core public goods such as resilient roads and health systems that protect human capital and facilitate access to employment.
Siddharth Sharma, one of the report’s authors, noted that Bangladesh’s experience serves as both a lesson and a critical test case for climate adaptation in South Asia. While households and businesses are already taking adaptive measures, the scale and complexity of the climate crisis require urgent, coordinated action from both the government and the private sector.
Looking ahead, Bangladesh has an opportunity to strengthen resilience through targeted investments and effective institutions. Early warning systems and cyclone shelters have already reduced fatalities during major storms, demonstrating the value of strategic interventions. By enhancing partnerships between government, the private sector, and communities, Bangladesh can accelerate the adoption of climate-smart solutions that reduce vulnerability while promoting sustainable development, ensuring that progress toward long-term prosperity is both resilient and inclusive.
