Bangladesh ranks 13th globally in climate vulnerability: Minister

Bangladesh ranks 13th among the countries most vulnerable to climate change globally, with rising temperatures increasing the risks of heat-related illnesses and deaths, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo told parliament today (30 August).

“Global warming is increasing rapidly due to climate change, resulting in a rise in heat-related illnesses and deaths worldwide,” he said in a written response to a question from Cumilla-10 MP Md Mobasher Alam Bhuiyan during the question-answer session of parliament.

Citing the Global Climate Risk Index 2026, Mintoo said Bangladesh ranks 13th among the countries most at risk from climate change.

To address the impacts of climate change, Bangladesh has formulated a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the minister said.

The country has also prepared and submitted its Third Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) to the UNFCCC to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, he added.

Under NDC 3.0, Bangladesh has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 6.39%, equivalent to 26.74 million metric tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, by 2035 through its own capacity or unconditionally.

Subject to receiving international support, the country aims to make a further conditional reduction of 13.92%, equivalent to 58.23 million metric tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, the minister said.

He added that work has also begun on formulating Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS), led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, to reduce emissions over the long term.

The government has also formulated an integrated carbon market framework to ensure Bangladesh’s participation in carbon markets is organised and transparent, Mintoo said.

Through the framework, the government plans to expand Bangladesh’s participation in international and voluntary carbon markets, implement high-quality environmentally sound projects, and increase foreign investment and climate finance through carbon credit trading, he added.