Manifestations of climate change impacts affecting socio-economy in Bangladesh: Looking through the framework of sustainable development

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the climate change effects on the socioeconomy in Bangladesh, focusing on the framework of sustainable development and assisting in “policy and integration” innovation. The paper also aims to project the importance of translation of physical parameter changes in climate change models into effects on natural productive systems and the socioeconomy in the future. This should be regarded as one of the most important prerequisites for “policy and integration” innovation towards sustainable development. Design/methodology/approach – The most tangible climate change effects linked with the socioeconomy in Bangladesh are described and used to construct a single schematic that starts with susceptibility to climate change and ends into sustainable development. Further focus is given into the framework of sustainable development. Findings – Bangladesh is highly susceptible to increase in floods, moisture stress and salinity intrusion in a changed climatic scenario. All major user sectors of water will be affected despite of the country's very high per capita quanta water availability. This will adversely effect the overall socioeconomy and will be disproportionate to the poor. Adaptation and coping strategies must be addressed with development initiatives, thus “policy and integration” innovation are greatly required for sustainable development. Originality/value – The paper describes the most tangible climate change effects linked with the socioeconomy in Bangladesh resulting in the construction of a single schematic starting with susceptibility to climate change and ending into sustainable development. © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited