Man-induced climate change is creating unpredictable challenges to the world community and is also creating hindrances towards the fulfilment of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for the least developed countries like Bangladesh.
   It is estimated that the fund for adaptation to climate change in Bangladesh will be around 5 billion USD by 2020. It is praiseworthy that the government has created a climate change fund from the current fiscal year, and most recently, the UK has agreed to donate 70 million pound to Bangladesh for adapting to climate changes.
   Even though we may have funding, the success of adaptation depends on local-level implementation of the adaptation policies.
   At local level, adaptation is a complex process. Individuals and communities adapt to the impacts of weather and climate changes through a range of practices in their diverse physical, social, economic and political environment.
   However, vulnerability (i.e., the potentials for risks in climate-related hazards) and adaptive capacity are also heterogeneous within a society or a locality and are differentiated by age, class, gender, health and social status.
   For instance, women are more vulnerable than men to natural disasters due to their high level of illiteracy, minimum mobility and work opportunities. Furthermore, in urbanised context, slum dwellers and squatters have very little adaptive capacity because of their informal settlements and less access to civic rights.
   That does emphasise to focus on social beliefs, values, and perceptions of communities on climate change issues as well as their differentiated power and access to decision making process through communicating at grassroots level.
   Based on several research findings, we should take some key steps prior to preparing an appropriate adaptation plan at local level:
   * With respect to geographical regions, we need assessment of the current climate trends for projecting future events. For instance, observing increased frequency of cyclones along coastal regions or drought in northern region, we need to take effective measures to reduce socio-economic vulnerability from future adverse impacts of climate change.
   * Vulnerability assessment should be taken in affected areas through engaging multi-level stakeholders to identify vulnerable sectors, their existing vulnerability and potential adaptation strategies.
   * The vulnerability assessment should include three components: identifying sectoral and cross-sectoral vulnerability based on present climate variability risks and trends; identifying potential future vulnerabilities (e.g., sea level rise can put property and population at risk in low-lying coastal areas) based on future climate scenarios impacts; and, developing a local vulnerability map of climate related information using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and other tools.
   * Reviewing annual development plan (ADP) and prioritised sectors (e.g., agriculture, infrastructure, health, employment etc.), we can overlay development priorities, expected climate change, current and future climate-induced vulnerability using GIS, participatory and quantitative assessment tools to identify ‘hotspots’ on which adaptation activities will focus.
   * As adaptation is not a stand-alone approach, there are also many monetary and non-monetary factors that need to be considered while prioritising adaptation actions using various tools such as multi-criteria analysis, cost-benefit analysis or a social accounting matrix. Multi-criteria analysis uses a range of criteria to evaluate options considering some unquantifiable factors including equity, efficiency, short-or long-term benefits. A cost-benefit analysis or a social accounting matrix may be used to assess the financial implications of the adaptation initiatives such as cost and benefit to society.
   * After accomplishing the above tasks, we can develop adaptation plan, consistent with local government’s financial capacity and human skills and prioritised interventions will be carried out with regular monitoring, reviewing and modifications of the plan.
   * Indeed, building adaptation strategies should not be seen as a static action but as an ongoing learning process that promotes better step to combat climate change.
   So, in the pursuit of adaptation we must arrange a set of resources including financial capital, natural capital (e.g., land, water and biodiversity), social capital (e.g., strong institutions, transparent governance, formal and informal networks that promote collective actions), and human resources (e.g., labour, skills, knowledge and expertise).
   In this regard, the National Adaptation Programme of Actions (NAPA) of Bangladesh should build partnership with diverse stakeholders (NGOs, civil society, politicians, businesspersons, etc.) and ensure their participation in the adaptation planning process as well as in the implementation of the adaptation programmes in a democratic manner.
   Ronju Ahammad
   Stockholm Resilience Centre, Sweden