Due to weak climate governance, the people of Betagi Upazila in Bargun situated along the banks of the Bishkhali Rive continue to fall behind in the struggle to build climate resilience. Inadequate local government interventions, limited participation of women, structural constraints within the Union Parishads, and various institutional challenges are hindering the implementation of climate-related initiatives at the grassroots level.
As a result, climate-vulnerable coastal communities are unable to contribute effectively to sustainable development or bring momentum to climate adaptation efforts.
A major obstacle is the lack of women’s leadership and the marginalization of vulnerable groups in decision-making processes.
Bias, favoritism, political influence in selecting climate projects and weak coordination among civil society, service providers and stakeholders further aggravate governance deficiencies.
During this year’s UN Climate Conference (COP30), held in Belém, Brazil (Nov 10-21, 2025), the global community emphasized the urgent need to strengthen climate governance—particularly for highly vulnerable coastal regions.
According to the Upazila administration, Betagi consists of one municipality and seven unions, with a population of 125,472 (Census 2022). The area suffers heavily from floods, cyclones, riverbank erosion, and salinity intrusion, all intensified by climate change.
In Talbari village under Kazirabad Union, riverbank erosion has become a constant threat. Several projects were undertaken to protect the.area, but due to poor climate governance, farmland and homesteads have been swallowed by the river, leaving communities on the brink of displacement.
“We have lost almost everything to the erosion,” said 50-year-old victim Nurjahan Begum. “Whatever is left, we live with constant fear.”
On 14 November, students and youth activists formed a human chain at Betagi Press Club as part of a nationwide climate governance campaign.They highlighted how weak governance continues to worsen climate vulnerability in coastal Barguna—impacting agriculture, livelihoods, infrastructure, and the local economy.
Experts emphasize that transparency, accountability, and inclusive grassroots participation in policymaking and decision-making are essential to strengthen climate governance. Ensuring transparent climate finance mechanisms is also crucial.
An investigation reveals that all seven union councils Bibichini, Betagi, Hosnabad, Mokamia, Buramajumdar, Kazirabad, and Sarrishamuri are struggling due to poor planning, lack of effective implementation strategies, slow project execution, and limited awareness activities. Mismanagement of local resources and insufficient livelihood opportunities further compound the crisis.
Residents from remote areas such as Kalikabari in Sarrishamuri Union complain that climate-related aid particularly agricultural support does not reach beneficiaries due to mismanagement. Many also feel that despite their suffering, their voices are not reflected in policy decisions, especially concerning disaster response and rehabilitation.
According to Mohsin Khan, General Secretary of Citizens for Good Governance (Sujan), Betagi, these issues must be addressed to establish climate justice. He added that organizations like Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) have provided valuable support through research and policy recommendations.
Nitai Chandra Das, Secretary of Buramajumdar Union Parishad, stated that limited revenue, inadequate budgets, political interference, lack of community awareness, and weak project implementation capacity are key barriers to good climate governance. He also mentioned poor.coordination among officials and elected representatives.
Local stakeholders argue that strengthening climate governance requires integrated policies, transparent financing, technological innovation, proper rehabilitation of climate displaced families, and alignment between national, regional, and local climate plans.
Betagi’s Upazila Project Implementation Officer Md. Zahirul Islam stressed the need for transparency in aid distribution, preventing irregularities in disaster management, and ensuring community participation. He pointed out that fund misuse and poor-quality construction have become major obstacles.
UNO Harikrishna Adhikari emphasized transparency, accountability,adequate financial allocation, staff capacity, and increased revenue-generating authority for local government institutions to ensure effective climate governance and sustainable development.
Amid these challenges, the Systemic Climate Governance to Enhance Participatory Action (SCGPA) Project, implemented by Wave Foundation with support from the World Resources Institute since October 2024, offers renewed hope. The project is working to strengthen community awareness, activate disaster management committees, ensure open budget sessions, enhance grassroots participation in decision-making, and promote accountability among government institutions.
Project beneficiary Narjiya Akhter from Hosnabad said the initiative has enhanced women’s participation, strengthened local climate governance, and improved community awareness.
“We can already feel the change at the grassroots,” she added.
Experts conclude that effective risk assessment, community-based adaptation, increased women’s leadership, integration of climate oolicies across all levels, decentralization of investment, enforcement of environmental laws, and transparent climate finance monitoring are essential. Strengthening research capacity, technical expertise, and local knowledge will further enhance climate resilience.
With coordinated efforts and strong governance, a more resilient and adaptive coastal Bangladesh is possible.
