Social protection is vital for mitigating the impacts of climate change, yet Bangladesh, which is heavily affected by the climate crisis, remains significantly underprepared, according to an International Labour Organisation report. The report titled ‘World Social Protection Report 2024-26: Universal Social Protection for Climate Action and a Just Transition’ underscored the urgent need for governments to enhance their use of universal social protection to adapt to and mitigate climate change effects while ensuring a just transition.
The ILO report revealed that many governments, including Bangladesh, were not fully utilising social protection’s potential to combat climate change and support equitable transitions. Bangladesh is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, often exhibiting the lowest levels of social protection, it said. The report indicated that, for the first time, over half of the global population (52.4 per cent) has some form of social protection coverage, a rise from 42.8 per cent in 2015, when the sustainable development goals were adopted.
However, the situation remained dire in the 20 countries most affected by climate change, including Bangladesh, where 91.3 per cent of people (364 million) lack any form of social protection, the ILO said. It also found that in the 50 most climate-vulnerable countries, 75 per cent of the population (2.1 billion people) was similarly uncovered.
Additionally, globally, 76.1 per cent of children and a significant gender gap — with women’s effective coverage at 50.1 per cent compared to men’s at 54.6 per cent — highlight the urgent need for improvement, the report said. The ILO observed that these disparities were particularly concerning given the role of social protection in cushioning the impacts of climate change, aiding adaptation efforts, and facilitating a just transition to a sustainable future. The report called for decisive and integrated policy action to close protection gaps, arguing that ‘it is time to up the ante’ and invest significantly in social protection.
The ILO report recommended developing social protection systems that address both routine life-cycle risks and climate-related shocks to ensure comprehensive coverage for all and leveraging social protection to support climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts while securing public acceptance. It also suggested prioritising investment in social protection, including seeking external support for countries with limited fiscal capacity.
‘Climate change knows no borders, and we cannot isolate ourselves from its impacts. It represents the most severe threat to social justice today,’ said Gilbert F Houngbo, director-general of the ILO. ‘Countries like Bangladesh, experiencing severe climate consequences, are particularly unprepared. We must recognise that what happens in these vulnerable communities affects us all. Universal social protection is crucial to prevent the climate crisis from exacerbating existing inequalities and exclusion.’
Bangladesh, ranked 10th on the World Risk Index by the World Economic Forum, faces severe impacts from both rapid and slow-onset disasters. Storms and floods are significant contributors to the country’s frequent disasters, causing extensive damage to homes, crops, and livestock.
Despite a strong framework for social protection under the 2015 National Social Security Strategy (NSSS), Bangladesh’s system is undermined by issues in coordination and targeting, preventing resources from reaching those most in need. ‘Promoting social insurance and transitioning towards a universal social protection system in Bangladesh is crucial for managing the adverse effects of natural disasters,’ said Tuomo Poutiainen, ILO Country Director in Bangladesh.
The ILO is committed to working with the government and social partners to develop a universal social protection system, particularly focusing on the most vulnerable segments of society, he mentioned. Despite its potential to drive positive climate action, social protection remains underutilised due to persistent coverage gaps and significant underinvestment, the report said. On average, countries allocate 12.9 per cent of their GDP to social protection (excluding health), but this figure drops to just 0.8 per cent in low-income countries, which are often the most vulnerable to climate change, it mentioned.
These countries need an additional $308.5 billion annually (52.3 per cent of their GDP) to provide basic social protection. International support will be crucial to achieving this goal.