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Environment & Sustainability Guide

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies in Bangladesh

Bangladesh faces severe environmental challenges as one of the most climate-vulnerable nations, with rising temperatures, frequent floods, cyclones, and sea level rise threatening its low-lying delta. GHG emissions have increased 22% from 2013-2019 to 222 MtCO2e, while heatwaves have intensified, with maximum temperatures up 1.1°C since 1980. Sustainability efforts include NDC targets for emission reductions, but air quality remains stable at N/A AQI, and disaster risks are high due to extreme weather trends.

Air Quality Index

Moderate

5.0/10

Stable trend

Air quality data shows stable AQI trend over 6 months with average PM2.5 and PM10 at N/A. Industrial growth and urban expansion contribute to pollution, but government initiatives like emission standards aim to address it. Urban areas like Dhaka face higher pollution than rural regions.

Water Quality

Moderate

5.0/10

Water quality is challenged by salinity intrusion from sea level rise, affecting 24% of coastal zones by 2050, and pollution from industrial and agricultural sources. Access to clean water is limited in rural areas, with government monitoring through BCCSAP focusing on adaptation.

Drinking water often requires treatment due to arsenic contamination and salinity; standards exist but enforcement varies.

Recycling System

Recycling infrastructure is limited with average rate at N/A%; no specific types listed in database. Efforts focus on waste management under national policies, but formal systems are underdeveloped in urban and rural areas.

Green Spaces

Forest coverage is approximately 12%, with protected areas including Sundarbans mangrove forest. National parks and reserves support biodiversity but face deforestation pressures from climate change and population growth.

Forest Coverage: 12.0%

National Parks: 4

Key protected areas include Sundarbans (UNESCO site) and Lawachara National Park, covering mangroves and tropical forests critical for flood protection.

Environmental Policies

Bangladesh's policies include NDC 3.0 with 6.39% unconditional GHG reduction by 2035 vs BAU, BCCSAP for adaptation, and commitments to Paris Agreement. Focus on cyclone shelters, early warning systems, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Key Policies:

•NDC 3.0 (2025)
•Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP)

Renewable Energy: Energy sector (52% of emissions) targeted for reductions; specific renewable % N/A but part of NDC pathways.

Natural Disaster Risk

HIGH

Bangladesh is highly prone to floods, cyclones, and heatwaves; annual cyclone costs ~$1B. Recent events include 2024 heatwaves causing 250M lost workdays and $1.78B economic loss.

floodscyclonesheatwaves

Climate Change Impacts: Temperature rose 1.1°C max since 1980, feels-like temp +4.5°C; heatwaves 45x more likely, floods up 6% by 2030s; sea level rise 0.2-0.9m by 2100 affecting 28% coastal population; precipitation +8% by 2050s, glacier melt causing erratic river flows and more extreme monsoons.

Sustainability Initiatives

Renewable Energy

NDC 3.0 targets GHG reductions including energy sector (52% of emissions); conditional 13.92% decrease by 2035 vs BAU, with focus on low-carbon transitions.

Disaster Preparedness

BCCSAP and INDC prioritize early warning for cyclones/floods, cyclone shelters, and climate-resilient infrastructure to counter rising disaster frequency.

Wildlife & Nature

Bengal TigerEndangered

Ganges River DolphinEndangered

Hoolock GibbonVulnerable

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