Research Proposal Mohammad Harunur Rashid Bhuyan Title: Gender, Social Capital and Local Governance Dimensions of Adaptation

to Climate Change: A Case of Bangladesh Bangladesh is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change with high population density. Together with high level of poverty and vulnerability and depleted ecological system make it more vulnerable to climate change, which threatens the development achievements over the last decades. Bangladesh experiences frequent natural disasters such as cyclones and floods as well as increasing soil salinity. A one meter rise in sea levels is estimated to inundate 18% of the total land in Bangladesh, directly threatening about 11% of the population (Agrawala et. al., 2003). These are projected to increase due to expected changes in precipitation, recession of Himalayan glaciers, and sea level rise. Nelson, et. al. (2002), Canon (2002), Adger (2003), and Parikh (2007) try to explore the effects of climate change on agriculture, ecological system, poverty and gender. At the same time their analysis gives some insights about adaptation process where social capital and collective actions helps in the adaptation process. From previous studies regarding climate change and adaptation in Bangladesh it is clear that womens participation in paid work outside home is low in South Asia, especially in Bangladesh, changes in crop, fishery, poultry and live stock production could severely impact the livelihood and well being of women and their children. None of the above studies examines a comprehensive view of gender role, on the basis of social and institutional analysis, at the time of climate change adaptation process in Bangladesh. Given the gender differential in vulnerability, it is important to have social assessments and institutional analyses that include, gender based experiences in collective actions and support from local institutions/networks, for developing inclusive strategies for increased climate resilience. To address this issue four conceptual models will be taken into consideration in the conceptual framework for understanding adaptation to climate change in Bangladesh. They are: sustainable livelihood approach; environmental entitlements approach; disaster mitigation, social vulnerabilities and adaptation; and, gender, environment and development. The World Bank, FAO and IFAD has used gender lens in the livelihood framework. It is possible to use this approach to examine gender asymmetries in access to and control over assets, participation and power in land, labour, financial and products markets, market information, extension services, participation and leadership in rural organizations, etc. The environmental entitlements approach extends Sens entitlement approach by focusing on intra-community dynamics between different types of social actors in the context of ecological heterogeneity. This approach focuses on the terms of participation of differently positioned social actors and the uneven distribution of benefits. Smit and Wandal (2006) provide a conceptual framework for assessing vulnerability and adaptive capacity at the community level. They use this community

participation model to assess current exposures, sensitivities and adaptive strategies. The advantage of this conceptual framework is that it incorporates both social and natural systems, while also utilizing the people-centered approach of sustainable livelihoods. Gender, Environment, Disaster and Development approach emphasizes on the agency of women rather than their vulnerabilities alone. Although women are generally more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, they play an active role in adapting to its impacts to secure food and a livelihood for their households. The proposed research aims to examine how women and men in the community cope with climate risks, the importance of inclusive participation in collective action and working with local institutions for enhancing adaptive capacity. The objectives of this study are as follows: To conduct a gender analysis of the collective action, social capital and interface with local institutions both formal and informal in disaster preparedness and rehabilitation in areas vulnerable to climate change. To document institutional efficiency in the areas of disaster preparedness, awareness raising, mortality reduction, building of shelters and hospital beds, and expanding institutional programmes meant to enhance adaptive capacity of those that are most vulnerable to climatic events. To document what people usually do prior to government intervention in order to adapt to climate induced extreme events. To develop gender sensitive alternative adaptations pathways based on local knowledge and practices. The immediate effect of gender-sensitive analysis will on the direction of aid and plan for full and equitable recovery in the case of frequent climatic events such as floods and cyclones, whose frequency and intensity are expected to rise with climate change. Furthermore, gender-sensitive analysis will help to ensure womens participation in long term climate change adaptation strategies, which might have been constrained due to their traditional social norms in Bangladesh. Stage 1: Detailed and complete literature review related to climate change and adaptation process followed by the people and government of Bangladesh and other South-Asian countries. Stage 2: Filed and sample selection based on literature review and consultation with the expert groups. Prepare questionnaire and checklist for primary (field level) data collection. Stage 3: Primary data and information collection from the community levels.

Stage 4: Data analysis and report writing1. The study would like to combine a range of methodological approaches in carrying out the entire work. After reviewing the existing data and literature, a research design will be developed to test the assumptions. Primary data will be collected using a mixed methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies e.g. household survey, together with institutional analyses and participatory rapid appraisal to capture details of impacts of past climatic events. Institutional adaptation capability will be assessed through community survey, focus group discussion, institutional analyses and participatory rapid appraisal. The study will include communities that represent most of the climatic hazards faced in Bangladesh. One important area of focus will be on communities facing common risks of storms and sea level rise in the coastal areas, especially the Sunderbans, which is the worlds largest uninterrupted stretch of mangrove ecosystem. Others will be selected to represent adaptations to: urban water logging, salinity, riverine floods and flash floods. Selection of sites will also aim to include the adaptation measures prioritized in the National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA). In the first stage, four geographic hotspots will be selected from four agro-ecological zones. The study also proposes to select one major urban centre as urban hotspot. The hotspots will be selected purposively based on the review of secondary data. In the second stage natural communities will be selected again purposively from each of the previously selected hotspots. In the third stage, a stratified random sampling of households will be identified within each community (about 50 households from each community), covering a representative range of vulnerability/livelihood profiles. Particular vulnerable groups including women, children and the elderly within households may also be highlighted. This study will provide a framework for the ways in which local institutions, especially local governments can partner with existing social networks of both women and men to prioritize adaptation packages and optimize scarce resources for mutual benefit. References: Adger, W. Neil, (2003): Social Capital, Collective Action, and Adaptation to climate Change, Economic Geography, 79: 387-404. Agrawala, Shardul; Ota, Tomoko; Ahmed, Uddin Ahsan; Smith, Joel; and Aalst, Maarten van, (2003): Development and Climate Change in Bangladesh: Focus on coastal flooding and the Sundarbans, Environment Directorate and Development Co-operation Directorate. OECD: Paris. Agrawal, B., (2000): Conceptualizing Environmental Collective Action: Why Gender Matters, Cambridge Journal of Economics, 24: 283-310.
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Note: Plan has been complied subject to future change on the basis of discussion with supervisor.

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