Developing relationships and policy frameworks to address hazard-specific economic and non-economic loss and damage

Abstract

Climate hazards are one of the major concerns in Bangladesh, causing significant economic and non-economic loss and damage (L&D) in the country. This study examined the effects of six major climate-associated hazards-waterlogging, floods, riverbank erosion, salinity, landslides, and drought and extreme heat-using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and cluster analysis (CA). The results revealed hazard-specific impacts and the interrelated nature of economic and non-economic L&D, which exacerbate communities' vulnerability. This study emphasizes the policy implications of advancing climate-resilient agricultural practices, investments in sustainable energy systems, and flood-resilient infrastructure. It also recommends community-based preparedness programs, gender-responsive policies, and ecosystem-based adaptation strategies. To address overlapping vulnerabilities and migration challenges, it highlights the need for effective national and global climate migration policies and multi-hazard risk management frameworks. This research significantly contributes to understanding hazard-specific impacts and provides a roadmap for a resilient Bangladesh, with broader relevance for Global South countries.