Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
Bangladesh has adopted various governance structures within its broader climate change adaptation and disaster management frameworks to address extreme heat.
Key national policies include the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA), the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP), and the National Disaster Management Plan(NDMP), which collectively outline measures for mitigating and adapting to extreme heat.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), and the Disaster Management Bureau (DMB) play central roles in policy development, early warning systems, and disaster preparedness. Local governments and municipalities implement heat adaptation plans, supported by NGOs and community-based programmes that raise awareness and build resilience.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are increasingly vital in addressing extreme heat in Bangladesh. These partnerships focus on enhancing climate resilience through various initiatives and enhance Bangladesh’s ability to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of extreme heat, contributing significantly to the country’s overall climate resilience.
Examples of PPPs for extreme heat include the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) collaboration with private real estate developers to create green spaces in urban areas, including parks, rooftop gardens, and green belts, to mitigate the urban heat island effect; the Cool Roofs Initiative, a partnership between the Government and local private companies, implements reflective rooftops in urban slums to reduce indoor temperatures; and BRAC, a major NGO, partners with private hospitals and pharmaceutical companies to improve healthcare responses to heat-related illnesses through training and public awareness campaigns. These diverse PPPs enhance Bangladesh’s resilience to extreme heat and contribute to overall climate adaptation efforts.
Key achievements include developing heat action plans, enhancing urban planning to reduce heat impacts, conducting public education campaigns, and preparing the health sector to manage heat-related illnesses. Bangladesh also collaborates with international organizations to strengthen its capacity to manage extreme heat effectively.