Governance challenges to realising the potential of ecosystem-based adaptation in Bangladesh

Wetlands are under stress due to the impacts of climate change and ecological degradation. This warrants the need for an effective governance that ensures sustainability of these critical ecosystems and supports community resilience. Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) has been widely recognised as a community-led approach for conserving wetland ecosystems and enhancing community resilience. However, the implementation of this approach is constrained by deep-rooted governance challenges. This paper critically examines these challenges through a qualitative case study of a community-based wetland management project aimed at promoting the sustainable use of wetlands for climate resilience. The findings reveal that EbA interventions were significantly hindered by complex funding mechanisms, limited community participation and a misreading of local institutional dynamics by project planners. These governance shortcomings weakened local ownership, accountability and long-term sustainability of the interventions. This paper suggests that ecosystem-based initiatives are unlikely to achieve their conservation and adaptation goals unless persistent governance challenges are addressed.