Global warming has reached alarming levels in recent years, with devastating impacts on vulnerable communities worldwide, particularly in Southeast Asia, East Africa, and other climate-sensitive regions. According to an Oxfam report, the global temperature in November 2023 was recorded at 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, exceeding the 1.5-degree target set by global leaders in 2015. Despite contributing minimally to global carbon emissions, Bangladesh is disproportionately affected by the adverse effects of climate change, including rising temperatures, which exacerbate environmental risks and threaten food security and livelihoods. Wealthier groups often exploit these risks for personal gain, such as capitalizing on increased salinity for shrimp farming, while marginalized populations struggle to adapt due to economic constraints.
Coastal ecosystems, including mangrove forests, intertidal saltmarshes, and seagrass beds, play a critical role in capturing and storing atmospheric carbon—known as “blue carbon.” These ecosystems have significant potential for carbon sequestration, estimated at 300-900 metric tons of CO2 equivalent per year, comparable to 7-20% of the annual emissions caused by global deforestation, despite covering only 1-2% of the world’s forested area. Unlike terrestrial forests, where the majority of carbon is stored in above-ground biomass, coastal ecosystems primarily store carbon in their soil. For example, 95-99% of carbon in saltmarshes and seagrass ecosystems and 50-90% in mangroves is stored in the soil. Mangroves, in particular, are one of the most carbon-rich biomes, storing an average of 3,750 tons of CO2 equivalent per hectare.
In Bangladesh, vulnerable populations, particularly the ultra-poor, face immense challenges in adapting to climate change while maintaining their social and familial structures. This has led many to increasingly depend on the Sundarbans for their livelihoods, often at great personal risk. This dependence has resulted in significant deforestation, degradation of carbon storage capacity, loss of biodiversity, and environmental decline.
In this context, LEDARS is implementing the project “Securing Blue Carbon Ecosystems for
Sustainable Fisheries and Climate Change Adaptation in the Sundarbans” to address these
challenges. The project aims to secure the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities,
protect the environment and biodiversity, enhance carbon storage, and advocate for the rights
of local populations to forest resources. This initiative is being implemented in the Sundarbans
region in partnership with the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh.
Goals: Ensuring the rights to a sustainable and inclusive eco system.
Objective:
1. Strengthening community institutions and agencies of women for increased voice and
agency in management of blue carbon resources.
2. Facilitating the multi- actor platform at the local and national level to ensure blue
carbon and climate action agendas are accountable to community rights and justice.
3. Action research on building and understanding on stewardship over blue carbon and
pathways to inform the carbon market on the role of tenure for secured blue carbon
systems.
4. Development modules and protocols (of value nationally, and also internationally) for
rights holder (i.e., community) management of blue carbon ecosystems and blue carbon
markets.
5. Local capacity building in blue carbon monitoring (Citizen scientists / local NGO staff)
6. Policy brief/paper for key decision-makers by the first half of 2025 on blue carbon
market governance
7. Co-construct the foundations for locally rooted/managed monitoring system of blue
carbon market
Major Activities:
1. People Organization Formation and Capacity Development:
To promote climate adaptation and strengthen resource user groups for community-led
conservation and management of mangrove and coastal ecosystems, LEDARS mobilized female
farmers in Shyamnagar Upazila, Satkhira District, Bangladesh. Through this initiative, Climate
Resilient Groups (CRGs) have been formed at the village and cluster levels. Workshops were
organized to build capacity on alternative livelihoods and adaptive, sustainable agricultural
practices, equipping community members with the skills to face climate challenges effectively.
2. Afforestation
Carbon dioxide is a major driver of global temperature increases. Mangrove forests play a vital
role in absorbing CO2 and maintaining the global temperature balance. Under this project,
mangrove afforestation activities have been carried out along the embankments in the
Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest. Two mangrove forests have been developed,
with [insert number] saplings planted and successfully growing, contributing to enhanced
carbon storage and ecosystem restoration.
3. Promoting Adaptive Agriculture
Forest resource users often rely on income from forest exploitation to meet their daily needs.
To reduce dependency on the Sundarbans, LEDARS promotes adaptive agricultural practices
through this project. Beneficiaries are provided with salt-tolerant vegetable seeds and organic
fertilizers, enabling them to practice sustainable agriculture, grow crops for consumption, and
secure food for their families despite the challenges posed by climate change.
4. Alternative Livelihood Development
The project offers skill training and financial support to beneficiaries for establishing alternative
livelihood options. These initiatives aim to reduce dependence on forest resources and provide
sustainable income opportunities, ensuring the well-being of the community while protecting
the Sundarbans from harmful activities.
5. Action Research
Action research is a key component of the project, focusing on identifying and addressing the
challenges faced by impoverished communities in the Sundarbans. It examines obstacles to
securing rights over marine tenure and explores pathways for understanding and enhancing
stewardship of blue carbon systems. The research also seeks to inform the carbon market
about the role of tenure in sustaining blue carbon ecosystems. To ensure community rights and
justice are prioritized in blue carbon and climate action agendas, the project facilitates multi-
actor platforms at local and national levels.
LEDARS (Local Environment Development and Agricultural Research Society) is a non-profit and non-political development organization. LEDARS has been working since 1996 in Bangladesh. Details…
