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. 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 in Bangladesh, revealing that EbA interventions were hindered by complex funding mechanisms, limited participation, and misreading of local institutional dynamics.