ALM UNDP

The overall objective of the Community Based Adaptation to Climate Change through Coastal Afforestation in Bangladesh (CBACC-CF) project is to reduce vulnerability of coastal communities to the impacts of climate change-induced risks in the following four Coastal Forest Districts (CFD): Raipur of Anwara Upazila of Chittagong; Sukhchar of Hatia Upazila of Noakhali; Char Kukri-Mukri of Char Fassion Upazila of Bhola; and Naltuna of Barguna Sadar Upazila of Patuakhali.

The CBACC-CF project highlights the need for sustainable livelihood alternatives and implementation of responsive policies to increase the adaptive capacity of highly vulnerable coastal communities through the incorporation of recurrent income generation options. The project encourages and promotes knowledge-sharing between the four main project components to leverage opportunities for learning and to enable successful community-based adaptation approaches to be replicated in other vulnerable coastal regions, both within and outside of Bangladesh.

The project has implemented community-based climate risk reduction measures in targeted areas that are especially vulnerable to climate change. In particular, the project will ensure that buffer zone measures promoted by ongoing projects take anticipated climate change risks into account. The project has also facilitated diversification of livelihoods and alternative income opportunities in order to increase the resilience of communities affected by resource deprivation. The FFF model has proven to be a successful initiative in this area. Another key output of the project is the development of secure sources of potable water for communities vulnerable to saline intrusion as a result of frequent climate-induced flooding. Innovative mechanisms such as rainwater harvesting, micro surface and ground water treatment facilities have been piloted and demonstrated for up-scaling over time.

The project also maintains a strong focus on increasing national and community capacity to better integrate measures for identifying and addressing climate change risk into development planning processes. Training policymakers at the national level to integrate climate risks into coastal zone planning will serve to ensure that priorities outlined in the National Communications to the UNFCCC and in the NAPA can be appropriately implemented. Further, integrating methods of adaptation to climate change risks into legislation related to coastal zoning regulations and facilitating alignment of existing coastal management programmes will build community resilience.