How Geopolitical Tensions Threaten Climate-Vulnerable Nations: Insights from Fahmida Khatun at CPD

Originally posted in The Daily Star on 4 March 2025

Climate change is changing the political landscape as nations face rising temperatures and extreme weather. Least developed countries, which are already struggling with these challenges, find themselves in a tough spot where climate issues collide with global politics.

For years, countries have tried to join forces to tackle climate change. However, shifts in political priorities are making it harder to come to agreements. As nations grow more divided—politically and economically—these differences pop up during climate discussions.

Many politicians focus on immediate issues like job creation or energy independence, often placing climate action on the back burner. A prime example is the US exiting the Paris Agreement, despite being a major contributor to global emissions. Meanwhile, the EU struggles to balance ambitious climate goals with the needs of member nations reliant on fossil fuels. China’s position is equally complex. It leads in renewable energy investments and solar panel production, but its rapid industrialization has made it the largest emitter of greenhouse gases.

For poorer nations facing climate vulnerabilities, the reality is stark. They often bear the brunt of environmental damage while having little say in international decision-making. As climate disasters worsen, competition over resources further complicates their situation. For example, countries already facing water scarcity cling to dwindling resources, creating fierce competition. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, in particular, are struggling to secure essentials like water, energy, and food.

Bangladesh serves as a key example. This country depends on freshwater from rivers shared with neighbors like India and China. Any changes in river flow can severely impact agriculture and water availability. As climate change makes water more scarce, tensions with neighboring countries over water resources could escalate.

As nations pursue their climate goals, national interests often trump global cooperation, making international climate agreements less effective. Countries like Bangladesh feel the delays and inadequacies in the support they need to combat climate impacts effectively.

The shift towards renewable energy represents both an opportunity and a challenge. While these technologies can provide much-needed energy without fossil fuel dependence, access is uneven. Wealthier nations tend to dominate this sector, leaving poorer countries struggling to catch up.

Vulnerable nations must prioritize both adaptation to climate change and mitigation strategies. In Bangladesh, for instance, rising sea levels and extreme weather pose immediate threats. The government is developing infrastructure like embankments and cyclone shelters to build resilience. Yet, securing funding for these projects is becoming increasingly difficult given the global political and economic atmosphere.

International support plays a critical role in helping these nations adapt. But often, assistance comes too slowly or falls short of the actual needs. For example, a $100 billion climate finance goal set back in 2009 was only achieved in 2022. Recently, at COP29, a new target of $300 billion annually by 2035 was proposed, but many experts believe this amount is still inadequate given the pressing climate crisis.

Another serious issue is displacement. Rising sea levels threaten to make coastal areas uninhabitable. Millions of people in Bangladesh are at risk of losing their homes. Relocation plans are in place, but they face challenges due to limited resources and insufficient international aid.

As global tensions grow and individual national interests take priority, climate-vulnerable nations may find themselves sidelined in the fight for resources and support. To resolve these issues, the international community must prioritize cooperation over competition, ensuring that these vulnerable countries have the backing they need to adapt to climate impacts successfully.

Dr. Fahmida Khatun is the executive director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own.

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