Bangladesh has an ambitious climate plan, and a $2 billion loan could give it a start

Low-lying Bangladesh — home to 160 million people and the world’s largest river delta system — is particularly vulnerable to climate change as rainfall patterns are disrupted and sea levels rise. Floods in July and August, for example, affected at least 5 million people and put as much as a third of the delta region underwater, according to the country’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre.

Now, the country expects the World Bank to approve $2 billion in loans to fund its ambitious climate adaptation plan, with the first installment coming early next year.

"Talks have reached the final stage as Bangladesh is seeking funds from international donors. The World Bank is just one,” Shamsul Alam, senior secretary of Bangladesh Planning Commission, said in an interview. The Japanese International Cooperation Agency has also been approached.