The South Asian countries within Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) are particularly vulnerable to global warming-induced weather variations that cause economic damage and loss of lives. At the same time, BIMSTEC economies have achieved impressive growth, fuelled by activities that have in turn led to higher emissions of greenhouse gases. With a population of about 1.9 billion and large coastal settlements dependent on natural resources for their livelihood, the BIMSTEC bloc is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Dr Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director, CPD, recently published an Issue Brief with these findings. The brief titled, “BIMSTEC countries and climate change: Imperatives for action” has been published by Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
This brief discusses the climate change challenges facing the member states of the BIMSTEC and the initiatives taken by them to mitigate the effects. It also outlines the achievements of these countries in fulfilling their climate action commitments such as the 2015 Paris Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It offers recommendations, including trans-boundary action and collaboration.