Pantho Rahaman
Savar, July 26, 2025:
Climate adaptation must be grounded in the experiences of affected communities and cannot replace the urgent need for global emission reduction, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, at the Frugal Innovation Forum 2025 held at BRAC CDM, Savar.
Presenting the keynote in a session on “Policy Perspective on Climate Adaptation in Agriculture, Food Security, and Livelihoods,” Rizwana Hasan warned: “There are limits to adaptation. The question is: how far can we adapt before collapse?” She cited rising water levels in coastal areas like Noakhali and Feni, where complex river systems and tidal pressures are overwhelming local flood protection infrastructure.
She criticized the global trend of pushing nature-based solutions without a sincere commitment to emissions reduction. “Nature-based solutions should mean protecting rivers, forests, and canals—not just counting trees for carbon offsets,” she said. Rizwana emphasized reducing fossil fuel dependency and warned against harmful agricultural trends, such as the expansion of tobacco and cassava. Instead, she called for regenerative farming practices rooted in community knowledge and active participation.
“It’s not just about producing more food; it’s about ensuring safe, nutritious food,” she stressed, urging adaptation finance to prioritize grassroots innovation and civil society efforts. She also highlighted the need for two-way communication between policymakers and the public and advocated for local governments and communities to take leadership roles.
She noted that reforms to the Climate Change Trust Fund are underway, including the launch of the Bangladesh Climate Development Platform (BCDP) to ensure transparency and coordination. Additional initiatives include new tree protection laws, school-based reforestation programs, and land conservation strategies. “We must change the pattern of development. Climate resilience is not just about survival—it’s a call to reevaluate our values,” she concluded.
BRAC Chairperson Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, in the closing address, stated: “Innovation in the context of climate change is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.” He emphasized that local knowledge should be integrated with scientific approaches and praised the Global South’s role in driving meaningful, grounded solutions.
Jerome Oberreit, Executive Director of BRAC Global, echoed this, stating: “Frugal innovation isn’t about flashy technology—it’s born out of necessity and shaped by the ingenuity of those facing the harshest realities.”
The forum concluded with vibrant discussions among national and international experts, entrepreneurs, and practitioners on resilient agriculture, food security, and adaptation strategies.
Source: FIF annual event
