Climate change is a frequent phenomenon which is no more just an environmental issue but societal, cultural and ethical which nowadays is greatly framed as Climate Justice. Climate justice upholds the right of most climate vulnerable people who are least responsible for climate change. It promotes rational participation of all in climate related decision making processes and also ensuring equitable distribution of benefits and burdens due to climatic actions.
Climate justice is one of the key concerns for the southwestern part of Bangladesh as the dwellers of this region are among the hardest hit by climate impacts. Access to resources, technology, and knowledge could help to transit to more sustainable livelihoods and this is the fair and justice demand for these communities. Climate justice plays role to amplify the voices of these people in policy making processes which will aid to advocate their rights, develop local adaptation strategies and ensure plans considering their needs and challenges. Climate justice can ensure an equitable resilient future for climate vulnerable people by addressing all of the climate related issues.
Since 2012, LEDARS has been actively playing the advocacy role with relevant law makers, policy makers and local and national administrators to sensitize about the climate-induced hardships faced by the population in the southwest coastal area of Bangladesh. Challenges such as salinity, water logging, embankment damage, intrusion of saline water into agricultural and drinking water sources, as well as droughts, irregular rainfall cold waves, and heat waves, have become prevalent. The cumulative effect has disrupted traditional income sources, primarily reliant on agricultural cultivation, leaving communities struggling to manage daily necessities like food, income, drinking water, and healthcare, recognizing the urgency of the situation, LEDARS has effectively mobilized the community, empowering them to demand essential resources and relief from the inhumane conditions prevailing in the southwest coastal area of Bangladesh.
LEDARS coordinates regular meetings of Upazila and District Climate Advocacy Forums and Climate Action Groups, fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders to address climate challenges. These platforms provide a structured space for dialogue and collective action.
LEDARS prioritizes the empowerment of rural women, building their capacity to engage in decision-making processes and advocacy campaigns. Leadership development initiatives ensure women’s active participation in climate justice movements at local, regional, and national levels.
Youth are integral to LEDARS’ advocacy efforts. Through capacity-building activities, advocacy demonstrations, and creative campaigns, LEDARS inspires young people to contribute innovative ideas and sustain momentum for climate justice initiatives.
LEDARS organizes impactful activities such as human chains, boat chains, rallies, and strikes at various levels. These grassroots demonstrations amplify the voices of vulnerable communities and demand urgent action from policymakers and other stakeholders.
LEDARS leverages diverse advocacy tools, including letter-writing campaigns, leaflet distribution, online initiatives, and grassroots manifestos. These campaigns effectively educate the public, influence policymakers, and build momentum for climate justice.
LEDARS highlights the experiences of coastal communities in national assemblies, roundtable discussions, and international forums such as COP conferences. These efforts ensure the inclusion of grassroots perspectives in climate policymaking and global negotiations.
LEDARS enhances the advocacy and leadership capacities of forum members through targeted training programs and workshops. These initiatives enable participants to lead campaigns, influence decisions, and address climate vulnerabilities with resilience and confidence.
• 152 members participated at the Half-Yearly Coordination Meeting of Upazila level
Climate Advocacy Forum;
• 145 members participated at the Half-Yearly Coordination Meeting of District level
Climate Advocacy Forum;
• 92 members participated at the Quarterly Coordination Meeting of Upazila Climate
Advocacy Forum;
• 142 members participated at the Quarterly Coordination Meeting of District level Climate
Advocacy Forum;
• 672 persons participated in 09 human chain and mass gathering;
• 3 National level Dialogue, 5 District level and 5 Upazila level dialogue with the policy
maker and other actors for addressing Costal climatic conflict towards sustainable
solution.
• The local issues have been identified by the forum members and raised their demand to
the policy level;
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…
