Climate change impacts on food system security and sustainability in Bangladesh

Abstract Climate change threatens the security and sustainability of the global food system. In Bangladesh, the fragile food system is strongly being impacted by climate variability and extreme weather events. Estimates indicate that the agricultural sector could lose about USD7.7 billion per annum due to climate change. The average annual rice production could decline by 33% within two decades. However, a few studies investigated the impacts of fluctuating temperature and rainfall, flash floods, drought, and saline water intrusion on the food system and security in an integrated manner. This study examines climate change impacts on food system security and sustainability in Bangladesh. It reviews the country’s food system, the climatic conditions that threaten food security, and impacts climate change on the food systems and the associated vulnerabilities. The study then assesses the existing adaptation initiatives and the extent of their integration among pertinent stakeholders. It concludes that local climate change adaptation strategies and stakeholder collaboration are necessary for reducing climate change impacts on food system security.