Balancing Climate Change and Economic Development : Bangladesh and Kenya

Introduction and Background of Climate Issues in Bangladesh and Kenya

Bangladesh and Kenya are two nations at the forefront of tackling climate challenges. We can know that environmental damage almost always hits those living in poverty the hardest. Bangladesh, located in a low-lying coastal region, faces severe risks from sea-level rise, frequent flooding, and riverbank erosion (Golam et al., 2005). On the other hand, Kenya, with its varied climate in different areas, has fertile highlands and semi-arid regions and always suffers from drought and flood. Both nations are parties to the Paris Agreement. Moreover, Kenya is the first African country to establish comprehensive laws guiding climate action at national and subnational levels (USAID, 2024).

The impacts of climate change on these countries are enormous, particularly in economic sectors like agriculture and tourism, which are sensitive to environmental shifts. Based on data from Statista, the agriculture sector employs 36.86% of the workforce in Bangladesh and contributes 11.22% to the national GDP in 2022. Similarly, agriculture in Kenya accounts for 21.3% of GDP in 2023, providing jobs to more than half of the population. Kenya’s tourism sector accounts for 10.8% of its GDP.

 

Bangladesh’s Initiatives

The government of Bangladesh’s vision is to eradicate poverty and achieve economic and social well-being for all the people. Based on Bangladesh’s government report, the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF) has invested around $480 million to support over 800 projects under the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP). These initiatives emphasize adaptation, mitigation, and climate research. According to the UNDP climate promise, Bangladesh is targeted to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 89.47 MtCO2 e or 21.85% below Business-As-Usual (BAU) projections by 2030 to align with the National Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.  

The country’s Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 reflects its commitment to long-term sustainable development. This plan aims to provide a comprehensive response to the challenges posed by sea-level rise, including flooding, lack of freshwater, population pressure in coastal zones, as well as issues related to agriculture, food security, nutrition, and livelihoods. The Government of Bangladesh is developing crop varieties resilient to climate change, focusing on drought, cold, waterlogging, disease, pests, salt, and flooding tolerance. These include early-harvest rice varieties like BRRI dhan 62 (100 days) and drought-tolerant varieties such as BRRI dhan 42 and 43 (100 days). 

Bangladesh also focuses on the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency to align with its national ambition of a low-carbon development path. The country has installed 541.7 MW of solar power plant capacity, with an additional 911.8 MW currently under progress. Bangladesh's climate initiatives align with its economic development goals by focusing on climate resilience, which directly impacts agricultural productivity.

 Kenya’s Climate Initiatives

Kenya has adopted climate strategies under the Paris Agreement, aiming to transition to a low-carbon society by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by over 30% by 2030. As part of its Vision 2030 initiative, the government enacted the Climate Change Act (2016) and developed the second National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP). This plan aligns with the objectives of Medium Term Plan IV, which focuses on addressing the impacts of drought and the increasing risks of extreme climate events.

According to a report from the Africa Climate Foundation (ACF), Kenya has implemented Climate Smart Agriculture to help eliminate hunger and food insecurity that arising by environmental problem. This approach incorporates improved irrigation systems, agroforestry, conservation tillage, water harvesting, and the cultivation of drought-resistant crops to ensure livestock productivity and advancing fisheries. 

The Role of International Aid

Both Bangladesh and Kenya rely heavily on international aid to implement their climate strategies. Bangladesh has received fund or resources from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Adaptation Fund, and bilateral collaborations. Projects like the Thana Cereal Technology Transfer and Identification Project (TCTTI) show how international support can enhance agricultural productivity (M. Enamul Hoque Md. Tofazzal Hossain et al., 2024).

International organizations such as the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) play a key role in providing support to Kenya. For instance, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Italian Climate Fund announced a USD 210 million investment in Eni S.p.A.’s Kenyan subsidiary to support biofuel production (Cooperazione, 2024). Additionally, CIF supports Kenya through programs like the Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program (SREP) and the Clean Technology Fund (CTF). Capital is important for economic development, and developing countries can use it to invest in technology to enhance their living standards.

The Innovation Strategies that Mitigating Climate Impact

The Economist says that innovation is an essential part of dealing with climate change. Technological advancements can address both environmental challenges and economic constraints. For instance, South Africa’s waterless car wash system is resource efficient, requiring only 750 millilitres of water compared to 100 litres in traditional methods (Mead, 2022). This approach is particularly relevant for water-scarce regions and can inspire similar solutions in Kenya’s semi-arid areas.

Floating infrastructure presents another creative solution, especially for countries like Bangladesh. Floating cities and farms, designed to adapt to rising sea levels, could transform coastal living and agriculture. These developments provide resilience against flooding and land erosion while creating new opportunities for habitation and food production.

Community Solar Gardens is another innovative strategy. By sharing the costs of solar projects, communities can reduce energy bills and promote renewable energy adoption. For Kenya, this approach aligns perfectly with its highland communities, not only promoting environmental sustainability but also providing significant long-term savings and benefits. In conclusion, science, technology, and innovation provide the foundation for sustainable development and can effectively tackle climate issues.

 

References

Bangladesh. (2023, November 24). UNDP Climate Promise. https://climatepromise.undp.org/what-we-do/where-we-work/bangladesh 

Bangladesh’s energy transition journey so far. (2024). Bangladesh. https://bangladesh.un.org/en/260959-bangladesh%E2%80%99s-energy-transition-journey-so-far 

Climate Change Initiatives of Bangladesh Achieving Climate Resilience . (n.d.). Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. https://moef.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/moef.portal.gov.bd/page/8401345e_0385_4979_8381_801492e3b876/1.%20Brochure%20on%20CC%20Initiatives%20of%20Bangladesh%20-%20Final_compressed.pdf 

Cooperazione, della. (2024, May 17). Kenya, IFC and the Italian Climate Fund collaborate to support biofuel production, laying the foundations for the first Mattei Plan pilot initiative in the country – Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale. Esteri.it. https://www.esteri.it/en/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/retediplomatica/2024/05/kenya-ifc-e-fondo-italiano-per-il-clima-collaborano-per-sostenere-la-produzione-di-biocarburanti-ponendo-le-basi-per-la-prima-iniziativa-pilota-del-piano-mattei-nel-paese/ 

FROM CLIMATE RISK TO RESILIENCE: UNPACKING THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN KENYA. (2023, November). African Climate Foundation (ACF). https://africanclimatefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/800832-ACF-Kenya-country-note-04.pdf 

Golam, M., Sarwar, M., Supervisor, & Wallman, P. (2005). Impacts of Sea Level Rise on the Coastal Zone of Bangladesh. https://www.lumes.lu.se/sites/lumes.lu.se/files/golam_sarwar.pdf 

Innovation is an essential part of dealing with climate change. (2020, October 31). The Economist. https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/10/31/innovation-is-an-essential-part-of-dealing-with-climate-change 

Kenya. (2023, November 21). UNDP Climate Promise. https://climatepromise.undp.org/what-we-do/where-we-work/kenya 

M. Enamul Hoque Md. Tofazzal Hossain, K.G. Pillai, R.N. Mallick, & M.A. Awal. (2024). International Rice Commission Newsletter vol.47. Fao.org. https://www.fao.org/4/w8595t/w8595t07.htm 

Mead, N. van. (2022, November 23). Climate change: 5 innovative solutions. Neste. https://www.neste.com/news-and-insights/sustainability/hotspots-of-climate-change 

O’Neill, A. (2017). Kenya - share of economic sectors in the gross domestic product 2017 | Statista. Statista; Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/451143/share-of-economic-sectors-in-the-gdp-in-kenya/ 

Statista. (2018). Bangladesh - share of economic sectors in the gross domestic product 2018 | Statista. Statista; Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/438359/share-of-economic-sectors-in-the-gdp-in-bangladesh/ 

USAID. (2023, March 17). Kenya Climate Change Country Profile | Fact Sheet | Africa. U.S. Agency for International Development. https://www.usaid.gov/climate/country-profiles/kenya 

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