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Understanding the complex dynamics of a household’s livelihood and potential vulnerabilities in the face of climate change is challenging. This research paper considers the Shyamnagar sub-district in the southern part of Bangladesh to analyze the complex issues of the vulnerability of livelihoods in the face of climate change. We conducted a questionnaire survey (n = 156) of approximately 15.6% of households in the study area. Consequently, we collected Geographical Information System (GIS) data and satellite imagery to demonstrate the land-use changes concerning vulnerabilities. A total of 54 indicators were selected to assess the livelihood vulnerability index, considering the demographic profiles, livelihood strategies, social networks, food security, water security, income, physical infrastructures, access to health services, and impacts of natural disasters. The results of the study demonstrate that only 21% of the people in the studied regions are less vulnerable to livelihood impacts in the face of climate change, while 23% of the households remain the most vulnerable. Moreover, inadequate social networks and inefficient livelihood strategies are contributing the most to the household vulnerability indices. Interestingly, the impacts of natural disasters remain the same for the whole study area and endure similarly when assessing household vulnerability. Finally, the study reveals that decision-makers may formulate effective adaptation policies to safeguard people and their livelihoods in the time of unprecedented climatic conditions in this unique area of Bangladesh.

This chapter attempts to explore the role of rural–urban linkages in local economic development by comparing two diverse rural settlements; one is close to urban centres in terms of road connectivity and the other is located distant from urban centres. Exploring the rural–urban linkages, this research has identified flow of peoples’ movement, flow of products, flow of information, natural resources, flow of money and governance. Therefore, market interaction stimulates economic activities, more economic activities imply more transactions of money, and thus, economic development takes place in the region. At the same time, it compares rural–urban linkages in the case of two diverse rural settlements to show whether the aforementioned linkages foster rural development and livelihood. The findings reveal that the rural centre which is geographically close to urban centres is less developed in comparison to the rural centre which is located distant from urban centres. One of the main reasons for this lower development in the rural centre which is geographically close to urban centres is that money flows out of the country, as people have the tendency to travel outside Bangladesh, especially to India, and also they are willing to invest and deposit money there. As a result, money for further investment or new investment has not been mobilized, which might limit creating employment at local level. In addition to this, a number of problems that also undermine the scope of economic development in rural settlements that are close to urban settlements, including water-logging combined with natural calamities, limited public transport, inadequate physical infrastructure along with incapacity of local government in the region, have made rural settlements economically poor compared to others. In contrast, in a better developed rural area, the flow of people within the region directs the flow of money within this region. Thus, the money is reinvested in the region and generates opportunities for employment, although the generated jobs might be very informal. Moreover, this chapter explores a number of social attributes that play an important role in building rural–urban linkages, which could be useful in theorization of rural–urban interaction.

This article illustrates the critical findings of an empirical investigation of resilience, vulnerability, and livelihood nexus in one of the worst cyclone-affected sub-districts “Mongla” in Bangladesh. Results obtained from the survey conducted in 2018 and 2019 explore the co-existence of climate change vulnerability and resilience at the rural household level. Additionally, the study identifies the role of assets (e.g., land, cash, and livestock) in order to enhance the resilience of poor inhabitants. Quantitative data have been collected using structured and semi-structured interviews. The outcome of the study demonstrates that the relationships between vulnerability and resilience are very complex and exist in the study area. An exciting outcome has revealed that in some places, more vulnerable people exhibit higher resilience capacity and vice versa. Furthermore, this research emphasizes that local livelihood systems may be improved if appropriate policies are considered by local government organizations in collaboration with multiple stakeholders. Consequently, the local citizens have to play their critical role to assist government policies in order to enhance resilience at the community level. Moreover, local residents can have a better understanding of their livelihood issues in the face of climate change.

This chapter explores the influence of different socioeconomic factors on adaptation choices of rural communities, and it also explains how households’ adaptation choices differentiate within two rural communities. Although the geographical vulnerability is apparent in both communities, the choice of adaptation strategies by the relatively highly vulnerable community is different rather than being similar. To understand the factors that shape rural vulnerable communities’ adaptation choices and the underneath difference between them, this chapter explains the results of an empirical investigation on two geographical vulnerable communities in Southwest Bangladesh. We adopted a quantitative research approach in this research. Specific methods utilized for the data collection process included a face-to-face questionnaire survey of 98 households deploying the stratified random sampling technique. We have completed the data analysis process by following two major steps: first, using the chi-square test and odds ratio, we have identified the difference in adaptation strategies among the geographical vulnerable communities, and then we have measured the extent of their differences. It highlighted that the households who live in the downstream or highly vulnerable condition have higher adaptive responses in most of the adaptation categories than the households in the upstream or less vulnerable community where the vulnerable households’ cognitive understanding of geographical vulnerability might have an influence. Further, we have used the binomial logistic regression model to explain the differentiated nature of adaptation choices of the households by using various predictors. Results show that the extent of adaptation choices depends primarily on elements of the socioeconomic asset profile of the households. Households with more socioeconomic assets have more adaptation choices, regardless of their geographical vulnerability. Several factors have an influence on vulnerable households’ adaptation choices including dependent members, social safety nets, inherited property, vocational training, NGO’s memberships, etc. This chapter concludes with the implications of these results for supporting adaptations of vulnerable and disadvantaged populations and mainstreaming pro-poor climate strategies into the development planning process.

This Working Paper compiles the experiences and lessons learnt from specific adaptation pilot interventions under the Himalayan Adaptation, Water and Resilience (HI-AWARE) Research on Glacier and Snowpack Dependent River Basins for Improving Livelihoods. The climate change adaptation solutions tested in HI-AWARE pilots have shown huge potential in the areas of flood resilient housing and sanitation, water management, climate-smart agriculture, and heat stress management. The lessons learnt can help inform and improve the design and management of interventions in these areas.