THE FIRST GLOBAL STOCKTAKE ON CLIMATE CHANGE: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

This article analyses the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake (GST) under the Paris Agreement and what they mean for ambition, equity and implementation—particularly for climate-vulnerable Bangladesh. The abstract outlines how the GST synthesised progress on mitigation, adaptation and means of implementation, finding that the world remains off-track to limit warming to 1.5°C. It explains why the GST matters beyond technical reporting: it is the central political moment that should inform countries’ next Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and long-term strategies. The paper highlights three cross-cutting issues. First, balancing global ambition with differentiated responsibilities, including fair burden-sharing and recognition of developing countries’ development imperatives. Second, closing the finance gap—grants, concessional lending and private mobilisation—to scale adaptation, loss and damage responses, and just transitions. Third, operationalising systems change across energy, land, industry and urban sectors through policy mixes that are credible domestically. For Bangladesh, the GST is both warning and roadmap: it underscores rising climate risks (sea-level rise, salinity, cyclones) while validating the need for resilient infrastructure, early warning, and nature-based solutions. The article concludes with a call for GST-aligned NDC enhancement, stronger MRV systems and strategic climate diplomacy.

The body begins by unpacking the GST process: data collection, technical dialogues and political phase. It then distils key findings—global emissions must peak immediately, renewable deployment and efficiency must accelerate, and adaptation needs are surging—while noting contested language on fossil fuel transitions and equity. Section two evaluates finance architecture: the mixed record of the $100bn pledge, evolving roles for MDBs, and the importance of concessionality for low-income countries. The article recommends a Bangladesh “finance stack” approach: combine Green Climate Fund proposals with resilience bonds, blended finance for delta management, and insurance solutions for cyclone-prone districts. Section three addresses adaptation: mainstream climate risk in all public investment, scale community-led embankment rehabilitation, saline-resilient agriculture, and heat-health action plans for cities. Section four considers mitigation co-benefits: distributed solar, improved brick kilns, clean cooking access, and electric mobility pilots tied to grid upgrades. Section five covers governance and MRV: upgrade inventory systems, adopt open data protocols, and use satellite proxies to validate land-use change. The final section turns to diplomacy: leverage coalitions on loss and damage, champion climate–migration research, and advocate for “resilience credits” in carbon markets. The paper concludes that by treating the GST as a strategic planning tool rather than a mere report card, Bangladesh can align development with climate resilience while pressing globally for fairer finance and technology access.