A new international report says investing in climate adaptation can create millions of jobs and help Bangladesh build a stronger economy, and it should grab attention. It shows that money used to make places safer from storms, floods and heat can pay back many times over while also creating large numbers of steady jobs. For Bangladesh the report points to clear progress in areas like climate-smart farming, crops that resist salt and drought, mangrove restoration, stronger embankments, early warning systems for cyclones and floods, better health services and improved water and sanitation. These efforts already help people stay safe and keep businesses working when the weather turns harsh. But the country still faces heavy losses from rising seas, river erosion, salinity and severe storms, and small farms and coastal towns often take the hardest hits. The study finds that bold action to scale up resilience would create hundreds of thousands of new jobs in farms, construction, roads, and basic services, and it would make towns and homes safer for families across the country. It also says the global market for adaptation work could be worth over a trillion dollars, and that the world still spends far too little on resilience compared with what is needed. Experts behind the report estimate an annual investment need of about three hundred and fifty billion dollars and note a gap of roughly three hundred billion dollars between what is required and what is now being spent. They warn that much public and private money still flows into projects that are not designed to cope with climate risks, which leaves places exposed and repairs costly. The report explains that every dollar wisely invested in resilience can bring many times that value back through avoided damage, saved lives and steadier growth, and it links strong resilience to better long term economic prospects. For people in villages, adaptable farming techniques, reliable warning systems and new work rebuilding and protecting land mean steadier income and safer homes. For cities, stronger roads, better drainage and safer water and health systems mean firms can keep working after floods and people can return to school and work sooner. The study calls for better access to finance for local projects, skill training, easy ways for small projects to meet safety and health rules, and public plans that use local knowledge to guide investments. It urges leaders, funders and businesses to recognise that resilience is not a cost but a smart investment that saves money and creates good jobs. With the right mix of finance, local action and clear plans, Bangladesh can turn the work of adapting to climate change into income for many people while protecting the gains people have made.
