A four-day training workshop on ‘Global Climate Finance Architectures’ held in Dhaka on January 15-18 aimed at strengthening the capacity of public and private stakeholders to access and manage global and national climate finance effectively.
The Economic Relations Division (ERD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) jointly organised it at the BRAC CDM in Savar, according to a release.
The workshop brought together 54 participants from ministries, private sector entities, banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, universities, research institutes, NGOs, and youth organisations.
Bangladesh faces a critical need for $12.5 billion annually, approximately 3% of its GDP, to address the escalating climate crisis.
Despite persistent efforts, significant financing gaps in adaptation and mitigation remain, threatening economic growth and disproportionately impacting climate-vulnerable populations. Strategies such as budget reprioritisation, carbon taxation, external financing, and blending diverse funding sources are vital to bridge these gaps.
Article 6 of the Paris Agreement also provides a significant opportunity for Bangladesh to access climate finance through carbon, capital, and bond markets, enabling sustainable mitigation efforts.
Bangladesh’s proactive stance in combating climate change is evident through its strategic and risk-informed planning and resource allocation.
However, the escalating nature of climate threats necessitates enhanced financial mobilisation, both domestically and internationally.
Strengthening institutional frameworks, fostering private sector involvement, accessing capital markets, and securing external funding are imperative to sustain the nation’s development trajectory in the face of climate change.
This workshop marks a significant step towards aligning climate finance strategies with Bangladesh’s specific needs for adaptation, mitigation, and addressing loss and damage.
By equipping stakeholders with the knowledge & tools to navigate complex climate finance mechanisms, Bangladesh is advancing its commitment to sustainable development and resilience in the face of growing climate risks.
The training featured an array of presentations, case studies, panel discussions, hands-on exercises, and interactive sessions, offering participants theoretical and practical insights.
Key topics included governance mechanisms, procedures for accessing and monitoring major funding sources such as the Green Climate Fund, Global Environment Facility, Adaptation Fund, Climate Investment Fund, & Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund.
Innovative instruments such as concessional loans, equity, bonds, carbon markets, and sustainable banking were also covered, alongside strategies for integrating climate resilience and green development into financial operations and leveraging philanthropic and Islamic contributions.
