When we talk about climate funding, the conversation often gravitates towards infrastructure, food security, and disaster management. These are, of course, vital areas. But there’s a glaring omission in the way climate finance is being distributed, particularly in countries on the front line of climate change like Bangladesh: research and knowledge management remain woefully underfunded.

The Numbers Tell a Stark Story

Recent analysis of Bangladesh’s climate budget across 25 ministries and divisions from 2022 to 2026 reveals that research and knowledge management sit at the very bottom of six major funding categories. For the coming fiscal year, just Tk 10.78 billion—an increase of a mere 5% from last year—has been earmarked for this sector. On average, research receives just over Tk 10 billion annually, a paltry sum when compared to the needs at hand.

Contrast this with the lion’s share of funding: food security, social protection, and health together account for 47% of the total climate budget. Infrastructure development follows at 28%, with mitigation and low-carbon development receiving 11%. Disaster management and capacity building receive 6% and 5% respectively.

Even the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change—despite dedicating the largest proportion of its own budget to climate-related activities—does not rank among the top ministries for overall climate expenditure. The implication is clear: research is not being prioritised, even by those tasked with leading the climate response.

Why Research Matters

This is not just a bureaucratic oversight; it’s a strategic blunder. As Dr Fazle Rabbi Sadek Ahmed, a respected climate scientist, recently put it: “We are facing increasing climate risks, yet the most critical area, research, receives the least allocation.” He’s right. The challenges Bangladesh faces—salinity, drought, heat, and floods—demand new, resilient crop varieties and innovative adaptation strategies. Without significant investment in research, these solutions remain out of reach.

Adaptation is, at its core, a science-based endeavour. It requires robust data, experimentation, and the ability to develop and disseminate new technologies. As Dr Ahmed points out, “I don’t understand how the government expects to achieve sustainability without adequate investment in research.”

Bridging the Gap Between Innovation and Impact

It’s not just about developing new technologies; it’s about ensuring they reach those who need them most. Dr Jiban Krishna Biswas, former director general of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, highlights that while climate-resilient crop varieties and technologies have been developed, their adoption by farmers remains limited. “We need research on why these new salinity- and heat-tolerant varieties are not reaching the farmers,” he argues.

This is a crucial point. Knowledge management—ensuring that research findings are effectively communicated and adopted—is just as important as the research itself. Without it, even the best innovations can languish unused.

A Call for Smarter Climate Investment

If we are serious about sustainable development, we must expand our research horizons and significantly increase funding for both research and knowledge management. The climate crisis is evolving rapidly, and our response must be informed by the best available science and shared knowledge.

Bangladesh’s experience is a cautionary tale for the rest of the world. Climate funding that overlooks research is not just incomplete; it is ultimately self-defeating. Let’s ensure that our investments today build the knowledge and resilience we’ll need for tomorrow.