Retrieving coastal communities of Bangladesh from natural calamities in a changing climate: pathways toward the sustainable development goals

Bangladesh faces significant threats to its coastal areas from cyclones, erosion, inundation, and salinity intrusion. Despite effective disaster management policies, these disasters continue to disrupt social life and financial stability. Climate change exacerbates these challenges by increasing the frequency and severity of natural hazards. The inadequate capacity of local populations to cope with these hazards contributes to vulnerability. This research explores strategies to improve the physical, social, and financial resilience of risk-prone coastal communities in alignment with SDG 13, which aligns with the necessity of building resilient communities against the hazards related to climate change. It also deals with the integration of adaptation strategies in local development planning. Coastal residents have developed indigenous knowledge and processes to manage natural events, which aligns with SDG 15, focusing on the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and combating land degradation. Community bonds are crucial in ensuring the sustainable management of coastal land resources, which is central to SDG 15, which deals with biodiversity and degradation of land. The study focuses on capacity building for community empowerment, disaster-resilient settlements, building sustainable houses, enhancing livelihoods, and resilience of the communities towards the changing climate. Additionally, this research supports both SDG 13 and SDG 15 in helping vulnerable communities adapt to climate change while protecting vital ecosystems through the inclusion of efficient management of land and reviving ecosystems.