Formulate green inclusive finance framework to boost climate resilience: Experts to govt

The government should formulate a national framework for green inclusive finance to help Bangladesh’s poor and low-income communities become more resilient to climate change, according to economists and analysts.

They stressed that financial inclusion and climate action must go hand in hand to ensure a just and sustainable transition for the country.

“Climate vulnerability is not just an environmental problem; it’s a development crisis,” said Mustafa K Mujeri, executive director of the Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development (InM).

“If we truly want to move beyond vulnerability, we must start with those who are most affected—the poor and low-income populations, especially those living in climate hotspots across Bangladesh,” he added.

Mujeri made the comments today at a discussion on green inclusive finance, jointly organised by InM and the Center for Inclusive Development Dialogue (CIDD) at the BRAC Centre Inn in Dhaka. The meeting was chaired by Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, chairman of CIDD.

He said, “The country’s current approach to green finance is too narrow. When we talk about green finance in Bangladesh, the focus often stops at solar energy, biogas, or other renewable technologies.

“But for people at the bottom, these are not the core issues. Their needs are much more basic—survival, livelihood, and resilience.”

Mujeri stressed that climate action must be inclusive by design. “If we look at the framework of resilience, adaptation, and transition together and interpret green finance through the lens of the poor, then it becomes truly inclusive finance. Because inclusive finance, by definition, means reaching those who remain outside the formal financial system,” he added.

At the event, Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said, “Due to climate change, the health impacts are severe. Many people can’t even work when opportunities exist because of illness or climate-related health issues. So, the health dimension deserves special attention.”

He added, “In Bangladesh, we still see the pattern that projects go to those with more power and influence, not necessarily where the climate impact is highest.

“As a result, some so-called ‘climate projects’ have little real link to climate change. It has almost become a circus—ongoing, repetitive, and disconnected from real needs.”

Ahmad stressed that poverty eradication must be strengthened through inclusive finance and inclusive development, following a human-centric approach, while ensuring climate justice.

“Those who are most affected must receive the most support so they can rise above vulnerability,” he said.

Among others, Md Rashadul Islam, former director general of the NGO Affairs Bureau, and Kazi Kareena Arif, research analyst at Change Initiative, also spoke.