Functional State of Climate Change Policy in Coastal Regions of Bangladesh: Incorporating the Voice of Coastal Communities

Elahi, S.A.E., 2025. Functional state of climate change policy in coastal regions of Bangladesh: Incorporating the voice of coastal communities. Journal of Coastal Research, 41(5), 786–798. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Climate change policy attempts to tackle upcoming disaster risks of a country. Coastal regions of Bangladesh have the potential to become economic hubs because of ample prospects in the blue economy sector. Therefore, the assurance of sustainable livelihoods for the coastal population is an urgent necessity. Although various policy initiatives have been undertaken by the government and nongovernmental agencies, a handful of minor issues are posing challenges to their effective implementation and ultimate success. The researcher reviewed the literature regarding the issue but barely found the voice of coastal communities in research work. Thus, this study's objectives focus on feedback from study respondents on the functional state of the coastal freshwater supply system in selected coastal regions of Bangladesh. The prime objective of the study is to explore whether the government of Bangladesh could support the initiatives with necessary policy measures as part of a sustainable pure-water retention and management system. The study's goals are addressed by analyzing field data collected using the mixed method. The study was conducted from November 2023 to February 2024. The data collection techniques were questionnaire survey and key informant interview (KII). Through a stratified random sampling technique, a rationale sample of 408 respondents was drawn proportionately from the four study locations. In addition, 37 KIIs were conducted for validation of the research. The study results show a possible way out of the prevailing barriers in the execution and implementation of safe water policies and strategies for the sustainable livelihoods of Bangladesh's coastal communities. The planned research findings would contribute to establishing a foundation for the sustained well-being of the communities by addressing appropriate policies and strategies for the implementation of a freshwater supply system in the aforementioned regions.