Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Sustainability challenges of adaptation interventions: do the challenges vary with implementing organizations?

  • Original article
  • Published:
Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Adaptation to climate change is a necessary response to reduce risk and vulnerability and to realize opportunities. However, not all adaptation measures bring about positive changes. In some cases, local-level adaptations may shift risks to other vulnerable places and communities. Both maladaptation, generally recognized to be undesirable at least in terms of the results it generates, and sustainable adaptation has been studied in diverse settings and for a range of climate-related risks. Sustainable adaptation aims at reducing poverty and enhancing social equity and environmental integrity in concert with risk reduction. However, there is limited research on how interventions by state and non-state implementing entities differ in addressing issues related to sustainable adaptation and the threat of maladaptation. In this paper, we use case study analysis to focus on three specific adaptation interventions—homestead plinth level raise, pond sand filter for safe drinking water, and surface and groundwater irrigation—in Bangladesh. Drawing on in-depth interviews with stakeholders facing recurring drought and coastal hazards, we emphasis on the implemented interventions and the roles played by a local NGO and central government. The first two interventions were implemented by a local NGO and the irrigation system by the government. Although the selected interventions led to many benefits, including reduced community vulnerability, enhanced resilience, and adaptive capacity, the stakeholders also identified sustainability challenges. NGO-implemented interventions, for example, suffer from beneficiary selection bias, while state-implemented intervention does not conform, at least partly, to environmental integrity. To limit maladaptation, it is necessarily better to understand beneficiary attitude(s) towards an intervention. Findings can help inform future interventions by raising awareness of agencies’ roles and responsibilities in implementation and recognizing the stakeholders’ adaptation needs and priorities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Source: Open Street Map)

Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahmed N, Cheung WW, Thompson S, Glaser M (2017) Solutions to blue carbon emissions: shrimp cultivation, mangrove deforestation and climate change in coastal Bangladesh. Mar Policy 82:68–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al Mamun MA, Rahman SM, Uddin MN, Sultan-Ul-Islam M, Arifin K, Rahman SM (2021) Rainfall and drought tendencies in Rajshahi division, Bangladesh. Geogr Environ Sustain 14(1):209–218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alauddin M, Sarker MAR (2014) Climate change and farm-level adaptation decisions and strategies in drought-prone and groundwater-depleted areas of Bangladesh: an empirical investigation. Ecol Econ 106:204–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ali A (1999) Climate change impact and adaptation assessment in Bangladesh. Clim Res 12:109–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allen KM (2006) Community-based disaster preparedness and climate adaptation: local capacity-building in the Philippines. Disasters 30(1):81–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anik SI, Khan MASA (2012) Climate change adaptation through local knowledge in the north eastern region of Bangladesh. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 17(8):879–896

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anriquez G, Stamoulis K (2007) Rural development and poverty reduction: is agriculture still the key? ESA working paper No. 07-02. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome

  • Aryal JP, Sapkota TB, Rahut DB, Krupnik TJ, Shahrin S, Jat ML, Stirling CM (2020) Major climate risks and adaptation strategies of smallholder farmers in coastal Bangladesh. Environ Manag 66(1):105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atteridge A, Remling E (2018) Is adaptation reducing vulnerability or redistributing it? Wires Clim Chang 9:e500. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.500

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ayers J (2011) Resolving the adaptation paradox: exploring the potential for deliberative adaptation policy-making in Bangladesh. Glob Environ Politics 11(1):62–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ayers JM, Huq S, Faisal AM, Hussain ST (2014) Mainstreaming climate change adaptation into development: a case study of Bangladesh. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Clim Chang 5(1):37–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnett J, O’Neill S (2010) Maladaptation. Glob Environ Chang 20:211–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnett J, O’Neill SJ (2013) Minimising the risk of maladaptation: a framework for analysis. In: Palutikof J, Boulter SL, Ash AJ, Smith MS, Parry M, Waschka M, Guitart D (eds) Climate adaptation futures, 87–93. John Wiley & Sons Ltd

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrera M, Berkel C, Castro FG (2017) Directions for the advancement of culturally adapted preventive interventions: local adaptations, engagement, and sustainability. Prev Sci 18(6):640–648

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bauer A, Feichtinger J, Steurer R (2012) The governance of climate change adaptation in 10 OECD countries: challenges and approaches. J Environ Plann Policy Manag 14(3):279–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Below T, Artner A, Siebert R, Sieber S (2010) Micro-level practices to adapt to climate change for African small-scale farmers. IFPRI Discussion Paper 00953. Washington DC, Environment and Production Technology Department, IFPRI

  • Brouwer R, Akter S, Brander L, Haque E (2007) Socioeconomic vulnerability and adaptation to environmental risk: a case study of climate change and flooding in Bangladesh. Risk Anal Int J 27(2):313–326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown K (2011) Sustainable adaptation: an oxymoron? Clim Dev 3(1):21–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butler JRA, Wise RM, Skewes TD, Bohensky EL, Peterson N, Suadnya W, Yanuartati Y, Handayani T, Habibi P, Puspadi K, Bou N, Vaghelo D, Rochester W (2015) Integrating top-down and bottom-up adaptation planning to build adaptive capacity: a structured learning approach. Coast Manag 43(4):346–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CARE (2011) Flood proofing through raising homestead plinth level. Dhaka, SHOUHARDO II Program, CARE. http://www.carebangladesh.org/shouhardoII/reportStory/FloodProofing.pdf. Accessed 4 July 2019

  • Carpenter C (2001) Businesses, green groups and the media: the role of non-governmental organizations in the climate change debate. Int Aff 77(2):313–328

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chowdhury TA, Das AB, Chakraborty L, Barai MK (2020) NGOs for development: experience of Bangladesh. In: Barai MK (ed) Bangladesh’s economic and social progress. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore, pp 351–380

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Corell E, Betsill MM (2001) A comparative look at NGO influence in international environmental negotiations: desertification and climate change. Glob Environ Politics 1(4):86–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dey NC, Saha R, Parvez M, Bala SK, Islam AS, Paul JK, Hossain M (2017) Sustainability of groundwater use for irrigation of dry-season crops in northwest Bangladesh. Groundw Sustain Dev 4:66–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • England MI, Dougill AJ, Stringer LC, Vincent KE, Pardoe J, Kalaba FK, Mkwambisi DD, Namaganda E, Afionis S (2018) Climate change adaptation and cross-sectoral policy coherence in southern Africa. Reg Environ Change 18(7):2059–2071

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eriksen S, Brown K (2011) Sustainable adaptation to climate change. Climate Dev 3(1):3–6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eriksen S, Lind J (2009) Adaptation as a political process: adjusting to drought and conflict in Kenya’s drylands. Environ Manag 43:817–835

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eriksen S, O’Brien K (2007) Vulnerability, poverty and the need for sustainable adaptation measures. Clim Policy 7:337–352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eriksen S, Aldunce P, Bahinipati CS, Martins RDA, Molefe JI, Nhemachena C, O’Brien K, Olorunfemi F, Park J, Sygna L, Ulsrud K (2011) When not every response to climate change is a good one: identifying principles for sustainable adaptation. Clim Dev 3(1):7–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Granberg M, Glover L (2014) Adaptation and maladaptation in Australian national climate change policy. J Environ Plan Policy Manag 16(2):147–159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Habiba U, Shaw R, Takeuchi Y (2011) Chapter 2 socioeconomic impact of droughts in Bangladesh. In: Shaw R, Nguyen H (eds) Droughts in Asian monsoon region. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp 25–48

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hale TN, Chan S, Hsu A, Clapper A, Elliott C, Faria P, Kuramochi T, McDaniel S, Morgado M, Roelfsema M, Santaella M, Singh N, Tout I, Weber C, Weinfurter A, Widerberg O (2020) Sub-and non-state climate action: a framework to assess progress, implementation and impact. Clim Policy 21:1–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Hale T (2018) The role of sub-state and non-state actors in international climate processes. Chatham House, Londres

    Google Scholar 

  • Haque MM, Bremer S, Aziz SB, van der Sluijs JP (2017) A critical assessment of knowledge quality for climate adaptation in Sylhet division, Bangladesh. Clim Risk Manag 16:43–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harun MA, Kabir GMM (2013) Evaluating pond sand filter as sustainable drinking water supplier in the Southwest coastal region of Bangladesh. Appl Water Sci 3(1):161–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hay J, Mimura N (2006) Supporting climate change vulnerability and adaptation assessments in the Asia-Pacific region: an example of sustainability science. Sustain Sci 1(1):23–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huq S (2011) Adaptation laboratory: a global consortium converges on Bangladesh to learns about confronting long-term climate change, action research on community adaptation in Bangladesh (ARCAB). IIED Climate Change Group, London

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (2014) Summary for policymakers. In: climate change 2014: impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability. Part A: global and sectoral aspects. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Field, C.B., V.R. Barros, D.J. Dokken, K.J. Mach, M.D. Mastrandrea, T.E. Bilir, M. Chatterjee, K.L. Ebi, Y.O. Estrada, R.C. Genova, B. Girma, E.S. Kissel, A.N. Levy, S. MacCracken, P.R. Mastrandrea, and L.L. White (eds.). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, pp. 1–32.

  • IPCC (2018) Global Warming of 1.5°C. An IPCC special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty. In: Masson-Delmotte, V., P. Zhai, H.-O. Pörtner, D. Roberts, J. Skea, P.R. Shukla, A. Pirani, W. Moufouma-Okia, C. Péan, R. Pidcock, S. Connors, J.B.R. Matthews, Y. Chen, X. Zhou, M.I. Gomis, E. Lonnoy, T. Maycock, M. Tignor, and T. Waterfield (eds.). In Press.

  • Juhola S, Glaas E, Linnér BO, Neset TS (2016) Redefining maladaptation. Environ Sci Policy 55:135–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karim MR, Thiel A (2017) Role of community based local institution for climate change adaptation in the Teesta riverine area of Bangladesh. Clim Risk Manag 17:92–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klöck C, Fink M (2019) Dealing with climate change on small islands: towards effective and sustainable adaptation? In: Klöck C, Fink M (eds) Dealing with climate change on small islands: towards effective and sustainable adaptation? Göttingen University Press, Göttingen, pp 1–15

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Latawiec A, Agol D (2015) Sustainability indicators in practice. Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG, Berlin, p 4

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lesnikowski A, Ford J, Biesbroek R, Berrang-Ford L, Maillet M, Araos M, Austin SE (2017) What does the Paris agreement mean for adaptation? Clim Policy 17(7):825–831

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mondal AH, Klein D (2011) Impacts of solar home systems on social development in rural Bangladesh. Energy Sustain Dev 15(1):17–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Murieta ES (2020) Ancillary benefits of adaptation: an overview. In: Buchholz W, Markandya A, Rübbelke D, Vögele S (eds) Ancillary benefits of climate policy. Springer, Cham, pp 181–196

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Nasiritousi N, Hjerpe M, Linnér BO (2016) The roles of non-state actors in climate change governance: understanding agency through governance profiles. Int Environ Agreem Politics Law Econ 16(1):109–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noble, I.R., S. Huq, Y.A. Anokhin, J. Carmin, D. Goudou, F.P. Lansigan, B. Osman-Elasha, and A. Villamizar. (2014). Adaptation needs and options. In: climate change 2014: impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability. Part A: global and sectoral aspects. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Field, C.B., V.R. Barros, D.J. Dokken, K.J. Mach, M.D. Mastrandrea, T.E. Bilir, M. Chatterjee, K.L. Ebi, Y.O. Estrada, R.C. Genova, B. Girma, E.S. Kissel, A.N. Levy, S. MacCracken, P.R. Mastrandrea, and L.L.White (eds.). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 833–868.

  • O’Brien K, Leichenko R (2007) Human security, vulnerability and sustainable adaptation. Human Development Report, 2008, 1–2. http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/obrien_karen_and_leichenko_robin.pdf. Accessed 12 May 2019

  • O’Donnell M, Rashid AM, Steele P, Hedger M, Lee J, Islam KN, Sinha NC (2013) Bangladesh climate public expenditure and institutional review. In Climate change adaptation actions in Bangladesh (pp. 365–385). Springer, Tokyo

  • Paprocki K (2018) Threatening dystopias: development and adaptation regimes in Bangladesh. Ann Am Assoc Geogr 108(4):955–973

    Google Scholar 

  • Pouliotte J, Smit B, Westerhoff L (2009) Adaptation and development: livelihoods and climate change in Subarnabad, Bangladesh. Clim Dev 1(1):31–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rahaman MA, Bijoy MR, Chakraborty TR, Kayes AI, Rahman MA, Leal Filho W (2020) Climate information services and their potential on adaptation and mitigation: experiences from flood affected regions in Bangladesh. In: Filho WL, Jacob D (eds) Handbook of climate services. Springer, Cham, pp 481–501

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Rahman SM, Mori A (2020) Dissemination and perception of adaptation co-benefits: insights from the coastal area of Bangladesh. World Dev Perspect 20:100247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rahman SM, Rahman SM, Ali MS, Al Mamun MA, Uddin MN (2020) Estimation of seasonal boundaries using temperature data: a case of northwest part of Bangladesh. Math Clim Weather Forecast 6(1):50–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rahman SM, Mori A, Sultan-Ul-Islam M, Rahman SM (2021) Integrating adaptation and mitigation in irrigation through diffusion of solar energy technology: a case from the Northwest Bangladesh. In: LealFilho W, Luetz J, Ayal D (eds) Handbook of climate change management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22759-3_87-2

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Rawlani AK, Sovacool BK (2011) Building responsiveness to climate change through community based adaptation in Bangladesh. Mitig Adapt Strat Glob Change 16(8):845–863

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SANGRAM, (n.d.) Case Studies. SANGRAM, Barguna. http://sangram.ngo/case-studies/. Accessed 3 June 2019

  • Shahid S (2011) Impact of climate change on irrigation water demand of dry season Boro rice in northwest Bangladesh. Clim Change 105(3–4):433–453

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shameem MIM, Momtaz S, Rauscher R (2014) Vulnerability of rural livelihoods to multiple stressors: a case study from the southwest coastal region of Bangladesh. Ocean Coast Manag 102:79–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shi L, Chu E, Anguelovski I, Aylett A, Debats J, Goh K, Schenk T, Seto KC, Dodman D, Roberts D, Roberts JT, VanDeveer SD (2016) Roadmap towards justice in urban climate adaptation research. Nat Clim Chang 6(2):131–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh AS, Zwickle A, Bruskotter JT, Wilson R (2017) The perceived psychological distance of climate change impacts and its influence on support for adaptation policy. Environ Sci Policy 73:93–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tahiru A, Sackey B, Owusu G, Bawakyillenuo S (2019) Building the adaptive capacity for livelihood improvements of Sahel Savannah farmers through NGO-led adaptation interventions. Clim Risk Manag 26:100197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trotter RT II (2012) Qualitative research sample design and sample size: Revolving and unresolved issues and inferential imperatives. Prev med 55(5):398–400

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner WR, Bradley BA, Estes LD, Hole DG, Oppenheimer M, Wilcove DS (2010) Climate change: helping natural survive the human response. Conserv Lett 3(5):304–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNFCCC (2009). Potential costs and benefits of adaptation options: a review of existing literature. Technical Paper. FCCC/TP/2009/2, 7 December 2009. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2009/tp/02.pdf. Accessed 22 June 2020

  • Wamsler C, Brink E (2015) The role of individual adaptive practice for sustainable adaptation. Int J Disaster Resil Built Environ 6(1):6–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ziervogel G, Shale M, Du M (2010) Climate change adaptation in a developing country context: the case of urban water supply in Cape Town. Clim Dev 2(2):94–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

I am thankful to Dr. Akihisa Mori for his feedback. My sincere gratitudes to Md. Masud Sikdar and Md. Jahangir Alom of SANGRAM. I am grateful to the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions. I am also indebted to Dr. Rezbin Nahar for her support in language editing and proofreading.

Funding

This work was supported by the JSPS RONPAKU Program of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Business Administration, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), 408/1, Kuratoli, Khilkhet, Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh

    Syed Mahbubur Rahman

Authors
  1. Syed Mahbubur Rahman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Syed Mahbubur Rahman.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rahman, S.M. Sustainability challenges of adaptation interventions: do the challenges vary with implementing organizations?. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 26, 31 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-021-09966-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-021-09966-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation