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A tiny remote island in the Bay of Bengal was recently visited by an international delegation keen to learn more about its innovative climate change adaptation methods.
Char Kukri Mukri is at the forefront of climate change adaptation, showcasing the innovative `Triple F` model - Forest, Fish and Fruit - developed locally in Bangladesh. The model works by integrating climate change adaptation and mitigation concerns with expanded livelihood options for climate-vulnerable communities. Linking adaptation with livelihoods is vital to ensure the long-term sustainability of climate change response by making it valuable to communities.
Using a mound and ditch structure, the Triple F model provides significant quantities of fruit, vegetables and fish for household consumption and income generation. The surrounding tree plantations act as an effective carbon sink to absorb greenhouse gases. Several varieties of trees are being planted, with an emphasis on mangroves, which can absorb more than three times the carbon of other tree varieties.
UNDP is piloting this technique in four sites across the vulnerable coastline of Bangladesh through the `Community-Based Adaptation to Climate Change through Coastal Afforestation` project. By its completion, the project will:
- Establish 7,000 hectares of mangrove, fruit and timber plantation;
- Increase coastal area carbon sink capacity by 610,000 tons of carbon; and
- Provide livelihood diversification support for 85,000+ vulnerable people through plantation training and cash-for-work programmes.
The delegation of climate change practitioners from around the world are currently in Dhaka to participate in the 5th International Conference on Community-Based Adaptation during 24-31 March 2011. The conference programme, organized by Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies with support from UNDP and other partners, complemented the site visits with three days of interactive discussions on different thematic areas in Dhaka.
The dissemination of the Triple F model to an international audience fits perfectly within the conference theme of "Scaling Up: Beyond Pilots". Participants were enthusiastic about the potential to take what they have learnt here in Bangladesh and adapt it to their own local context, maintaining livelihoods and communities at the centre of climate change adaptation efforts.
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Bangladesh
