Bangladesh seeks $120b in adaptation funding by 2035

Bangladesh has called for tripling global adaptation finance to US$120 billion annually by 2035, stressing that climate-vulnerable countries need increased, accessible and grant-based funding to tackle the growing impacts of climate change.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo made the call while briefing the media on the progress of negotiations at the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, on Friday, according to a press release from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The joint press briefing was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change at Press Conference Room 1 in the COP31 Blue Zone.

Highlighting the challenges facing climate-vulnerable countries, Mintoo said climate finance remained the central test of trust in international climate negotiations.

He said Bangladesh, which contributes less than 0.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, was already facing severe climate impacts, including cyclones, floods, salinity intrusion and heatwaves.

The minister said the World Meteorological Organization’s 2026 climate update showed that global temperatures during January-September were approximately 1.47 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

He said Bangladesh was pursuing ambitious climate action through its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0, which sets a target of reducing emissions by 6.39% below the business-as-usual scenario unconditionally by 2035, with a further 13.92% reduction subject to international support.

The government was also promoting renewable energy, rooftop solar, implementation of the National Adaptation Plan, tree plantation, canal restoration, stronger early warning systems and locally led adaptation, he added.

On climate finance, Mintoo said Bangladesh supported simplified direct access to the Green Climate Fund, the Global Environment Facility and the Adaptation Fund to ensure resources reached vulnerable countries and communities.

He also highlighted the need for faster implementation of National Adaptation Plans, adequate financial and technical support, and an LDC-proposed platform to connect national adaptation priorities with funding and implementation partners.

On loss and damage, Mintoo said resources available under the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage remained inadequate compared with the project proposals submitted.

Bangladesh was seeking increased contributions to the fund, simplified access, faster disbursement and support to address both economic and non-economic losses, he said.

On mitigation, he said Bangladesh supported extending the Mitigation Work Programme beyond 2026, preferably until 2030, with practical, sector-specific solutions backed by finance, technology and capacity-building.

The minister also called for an inclusive, implementation-oriented just transition mechanism that would ensure decent jobs, skills development and social protection for workers, farmers, women, young people and vulnerable communities.

He raised concerns that unilateral climate-related trade measures, including the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), could disproportionately affect enterprises, workers and export sectors in developing countries.

“Climate policies must remain fair, cooperative and consistent with the Convention and the Paris Agreement,” he said, referring to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

Mintoo also emphasised the need for stronger coastal climate observation, hydrometeorological services, early warning systems, technology transfer and adequate resources for climate technology initiatives.

He said Bangladesh would continue working with the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group, G77 and China, and other partner countries to secure a balanced and ambitious outcome at COP31.

In another development, Mintoo noted that the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) had announced on Thursday that Bangladesh was among the first five countries expected to receive $30 million each.

The funding will be used to strengthen coastal infrastructure and promote climate-friendly agriculture in Bangladesh.

He said the success of COP31 should ultimately be judged by whether its decisions translated into tangible support for vulnerable communities, protected livelihoods and helped build a climate-resilient future.

The briefing came on the fifth day of formal negotiations at COP31, with several critical issues still unresolved and no final negotiated outcomes reached.

Foreign Affairs State Minister Shama Obaed Islam, Environment, Forest and Climate Change State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam and MP Mansura Akter were present.