How Local Government Can Respond to Climate Change?

1. How Local Government Can Respond to Climate Change? Dr. Bidhan Chandra Das Professor Department of Zoology University of Rajshahi

2. Yes, We’re worried about our Planet! Earth needs a hospital bed!

3. This is because when we look through all the information, we see that something has changed.

4. Think back 20 years ago, compare tornadoes, storms, floods, droughts, earthquakes with the happenings today.

5. These are all the symptoms of the fact that our planet is sick.

6. One of the major causes of sickness is GLOBAL WARMING

7. Mainly due to anthropogenic activities, release of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, commonly known as greenhouse gases (GHGs) increased, which trap infrared radiation in the atmosphere that warms the earth.

8. There are many sources of these gases, with the most significant being fossil fuels, landfills, agriculture, ruminant livestock and rice cultivation (Reay, 2008).

9. So, our earth needs many doctors to become healthy again!The environmental balance of Earth is severely damaged.

10. Today, our main concern is to address the situation: Mitigation Adaptation

11. MitigationHuman intervention to reduce the sources or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases.

12. AdaptationResponse to climate change that seeks to reduce the vulnerability of natural and human systems to climate change effects.

13. What is Local Government (LG)? LG is one way in which the country’s governance & administration is carried out, & its public services delivered. LG refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state. LG is the level of government that is closest to people (Mukoro, 2003; Nicholson, 2001).

14. Although multiple levels of government typically coordinate in preparing for and responding to climate change, local governments act as a first line of defense. Understandably, then, citizens expect their local government to be actively involved in disaster preparation (Wolensky & Miller, 1981). Indeed, when disaster strikes, local government is the focal point of citizens' evaluations.

15. Local Governments Local Self Government (LSG) Local Government (LG)

16. Local Government (LG) Urban Areas Municipality City Corporation Rural Areas The Union Parishad Upazila Parishad Zila Parishad

17. Local governments have the ability to directly influence the mitigation/adaptation activities.

18. The United States and other countries are experiencing a transfer of power from national to local levels as the political feasibility of climate change action at a local government scale increases.

19. Several local jurisdictions are taking a leadership role and moving forward with adaptation and mitigation activities despite, in some cases, the lack of state and national policies or mandates.

20. Local governments are logical entities to embrace and confront the challenges of climate change actions for multiple reasons.

21. “Local Governments will be key actors in adapting to the local impacts of climate change and the engagement of Local Government will be a critical part of any national reform agenda.” (Australian Government, 2010)

22. Local governments are in many cases better equipped than national government to address the planning and implementation of actions through stronger support from constituents, collaboration with networks, and local jurisdictional responsibility and influence. This confluence of local climate politics, local climate activities, and collaborative efforts is expanding the breadth and scope of work at the local level.

23. Accordingly, actions to address climate change are blossoming throughout the globe at the local scale (Lyshall, 2011).

24. A. Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Local Government Functions 1. Infrastructure and property services(a) Road/pavement construction & maintenance.(b) Storm water/drainage.(c) Buildings/Houses.(d) Coastal infrastructure.

25. A. Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Local Government Functions 2. Recreational facilities(a) Provision and use of recreational facilities.(b) Maintenance of recreational facilities.

26. A. Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Local Government Functions 3. Health services(a) Community/workplace health. (b) Emergency management.

27. A. Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Local Government Functions 4. Planning & development approvals(a) Planning policy and developments.

28. A. Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Local Government Functions 5. Natural resource management(a) Coastal management.(b) Weed/pest management.(c) Biodiversity.

29. A. Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Local Government Functions 6. Water and sewerage services(a) Stagnant water/sewerage.(b) Wastewater.(c) Water supply.

30. Bangladesh is aware of this and has already taken initiatives.

31. Spent 10 billion US $ for flood management, coastal polders, cyclone and flood shelters, roads and highways construction mainly to make the country less vulnerable to natural disasters (MoEF, 2009)MoEF, 2009. Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2009. Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Xviii +76pp.

32. Climate Change: Bangladesh Response Prepared National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) in 2005; identified 15 Priority projects. Prepared Initial National Communication and preparing Second National Communication. Made climate change an integral part of the new draft Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) National Water Management Plan.

33. Disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change strategies both are aimed at enhancing sustainability, resilient societies and human security. National Plan for Disaster Management2010-2015 Published by: Disaster Management Bureau (DMB) Disaster Management and Relief Division (DM&RD) Ministry of Food and Disaster Management April 2010

34. SIXTH FIVE YEAR PLANFY2011-FY2015 “Therefore, effective steps must be explored and adopted in collaboration with the international community in the Sixth Plan period to help Bangladesh address the adverse consequences of climate change. An acceptable and workable collaboration strategy must include fair and just burden sharing for mitigation as well as adaptation strategies across nations.”Part‐1Strategic Directions and Policy FrameworkPlanning Commission, Ministry of PlanningGovernment of the People’s Republic of BangladeshJuly 2011

35. National Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reduction IIFY 2009 – 11General Economics DivisionPlanning CommissionGovernment of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh2009

36. – Food security, social protection & health– Comprehensive disaster management– Infrastructure development– Research and knowledge management– Mitigation and low carbon development– Capacity building – institutional & human Six pillars (Themes) and 44 Programmes Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy & Action Plan (BCCSAP 2009)

37. Mainstreaming strategies National Plan for Disaster Management 2010-2015 April 2010

38. Proactive vs. reactiveAdaptation can be anticipatory (proactive/Stock) or reactive. The problem with reactive adaptation is that it only starts after the impacts of climate change have been felt.

39. Theoretical Framework of Climate Action at the Local Government Level

40. Theories of Collaboration: Collaborative governance of environmental problems has steadily increased over the past two decades (Ansell & Gash, 2008; Huxham & Vangen, 2000).

41. Cultural Transformation Theory: This is an important aspect to evolving partnership societies where the focus will be “more on relationships than on hierarchies” (Eisler, 1987).

42. Relational and Social Network Theory:Focused on transformation utilize collaboration, flat hierarchy, and relationships to create motivation and change (Betsill & Bulkeley, 2006b). Within networks, developing relationships and empowering individuals through collaboration are integral to successful outcomes (Wasserman & Faust, 1994).

43. Complex Adaptive Systems Theory:Concerned with a shift of mind from seeing parts to seeing wholes (Senge, 1990). In this context, adaptive management is one practical application of this by integrating research, design, management, and monitoring in order to adapt and learn and understand what works or doesn’t, and why.

44. Theories of Transformational Leadership Transformational leadership theory relates to this study in that it allows for creativity, intelligence, and thoughtful solutions and is associated with “change efforts and organizational visions that inspire, motivate, and empower followers" (Hansen, Ropo & Sauer, 2007). Transformational leadership allows leaders and followers to engage in a mutual process of “raising one another to higher levels of morality and motivation” (Burns, 1978).

45. Participatory Action Research Theory.This is a method of inquiry that addresses an identified problem in a collaborative manner to implement action for change. It is concerned with changing the culture of groups, institutions and societies through a participatory and democratic process that develops practical knowledge (McTaggart, 1989; Reason & Bradbury, 2008).

46. Build Capacity of Local Governments & Decentralize Power and Resources:Adaptation measures should be specific to particular locations and situations. What may work in one location, with one socioeconomic group, may not be feasible in another. Therefore, it is not possible for a national government to create a “one size fits all” adaptation approach. It is imperative that national policy efforts improve the ability of local communities to adapt to climate change (Guay, 2009).

47. “Democratic ownership and political commitment is weak. In the absence of a properly functioning local government, and with no local level planning mechanism, the role of local bodies in the development process is very limited” (Hedger, M. 2011). Hedger, M. 2011. Climate Finance in Bangladesh: Lessons for Development Cooperation and Climate Finance at National Level. Working Paper, 12. Institute of Development Studies.7th Framework Programme.EDC 2020.

48. Corfee-Morlot et al. (2009) have concluded that “climate change is a problem that can only be adequately addressed if action is taken at all levels of government: international, national, regional, and local”

49. Laukkonen et al. (2009)While science and academia are advancing fast to provide increasingly reliable data, methodologies, tools and frameworks to help nations mitigate andadapt, the most vulnerable, the people in developing countries, are lagging behind with their local governments struggling to provide even the most basic services.

50. Non-nation state actors (NNSAs) are increasing in visibility and influence in global climate politics (Okereke et al., 2009). At the same time, many participants in the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Summit considered it largely a failure because hoped for international agreements to achieve effective collaborative governance were not achieved (Dimitrov, 2010).