Bangladesh’s economy grew 24-fold between 1980 and 2023, reducing poverty rates by two-thirds. In the same period, Bangladesh’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions increased by 176 percent. As physical risks due to climate change continue to materialize globally, the international focus on decarbonization is expected to increase. Proactive investments in just transitions can help Bangladesh protect its development trajectory and bring opportunities for proactive businesses and countries in the form of reduced costs, enhanced competitiveness, and the potential to create high-quality jobs.
The textile and apparel, and construction (including brick, cement, and steel manufacturing) sectors are critical to a just industry transition in Bangladesh. These sectors together constitute 74 percent of the industrial sector’s GDP, 80 percent of the industrial workforce, and are responsible for about half of the industrial emissions in Bangladesh. Industrial workers are at particular risk and have limited resilience to climate transitions. A holistic strategy, integrating the inclusion and agency of workers and accountability to them, is essential to advance just transitions toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy.
Developed with support from the H&M Foundation and Laudes Foundation, and with inputs from 100+ Bangladeshi and international stakeholders, this report, outlines opportunities to accelerate just transitions in the textile and apparel, and construction sectors.
Key Takeways
- While climate change and the need to rapidly decarbonize is certain, multiple uncertainties could impact the pace of decarbonization of these sectors, the ability of these sectors to adapt to climate change, and the resulting outcomes for workers.
- Seven interlinked priorities need to be pursued simultaneously to accelerate Bangladesh’s transition towards a more just, low-carbon, and climate-resilient future.
- Industry, worker rights organizations, policymakers, development organizations, skilling providers, finance, and philanthropy will need to work collaboratively to shift and accelerate the trajectory towards these best-case scenarios.
