Reviving Dhaka: Bangladesh Takes Steps to Make Capital Climate-Proof
Facing the harsh realities of the climate crisis, workers in Dhaka, including rickshaw drivers and garment factory workers, endure extreme weather conditions such as heavy rains and heat waves. Dhaka, a crowded and polluted mega-city, is home to around 10 million people, including those who have been displaced by floods and droughts in other parts of Bangladesh.
In an effort to make Dhaka green and climate-resilient, city authorities have launched their first climate action plan. This plan aims to make the city carbon-neutral by 2050 and includes strategies to tackle frequent floods and heatwaves. Some proposed measures include transitioning to renewable energy sources, introducing electric vehicles, increasing green spaces, restoring natural drainage systems, and implementing early flood warning systems.
Cities in Asia, like Dhaka, are at the forefront of the climate crisis and are taking steps to address the challenges they face. Setting targets for greenhouse gas emissions and monitoring progress over time is crucial for cities to turn their climate plans into reality. The C40 Cities network helps cities align their plans with the Paris Agreement to limit global warming.
Cities in the Global South, like Dhaka, face challenges in financing the changes needed to combat climate change. While some cities have invested in innovative digital tools for climate resilience, others struggle to secure resources. Mumbai, for example, has allocated a significant budget for climate actions, while Dhaka must prioritize cost-effective measures due to limited resources.
Urban planners emphasize the importance of pushing back against poor planning practices that exacerbate climate issues. The climate action plan in Dhaka aims to restore green spaces and address rapid, unplanned growth that has worsened flooding. With thousands of people arriving in Dhaka daily, including climate migrants, time is of the essence to shift towards a more sustainable future.
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Sofia Martins graduated from the Technical University of Madrid with a degree in Agronomy, focusing on plant nutrition and soil science. She has a deep interest in sustainable fertilizer management and works to develop eco-friendly solutions that optimize plant growth while minimizing nutrient runoff. Sofia is a dedicated researcher and has published several articles on sustainable plant nutrition practices.