The Environment and Changing Climate 2025 conference, hosted by Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) in collaboration with the Co-creating Knowledge for Local Adaptation to Climate Change in Least Developed Countries (Colocal) project, concluded on Friday, after two days of insightful discussions and interdisciplinary knowledge-sharing on inclusive climate action.
Starting from Thursday, the conference brought together national and international researchers, development practitioners, and community leaders under the theme “global strategies and local actions,” highlighting the event’s commitment to a community-led and context-specific future for climate change adaptation, said a press release issued on Sunday.
Day one of the conference opened with keynote speeches and presentations from industry experts, including Dr A Atiq Rahman, Dr Shahpar Selim, and Dr Faisal Kabir, focusing on the advancement of evidence-driven research in capacity-building.
Prof M Tamim, vice-chancellor of IUB; Prof Daniel W Lund, pro vice-chancellor; and Dr K Ayaz Rabbani, dean of the School of Environment and Life Sciences, also spoke.
The opening program also featured artistic performances, with Rupantar Theatre delivering a vibrant “Potgaan” performance about climate justice and gender equity. This was followed by a musical performance by Muiz Mahfuz Band and their collection of songs addressing plastic pollution and the environment.
The day concluded with an alumni roundtable, where graduates from IUB’s Department of Environmental Science and Management discussed the realities and prospects of the climate change and development sector, especially against the backdrop of global funding cuts.
Day two of the event served as the academic focal point of the conference, hosting a diverse roster of oral and poster presentations where researchers presented their work across areas of climate governance, indigenous knowledge, sustainable agriculture, energy transitions, and many more.
Complementing the academic sessions, a range of workshops and thematic side events further explored meaningful discussion and pathways for locally-led adaptation.
Highlighting the human dimensions of climate adaptation, NGO leaders from the Dalit and Munda communities of Khulna and Satkhira shared their perspectives, challenges, and history with nature-based solutions, while a session by CIMMYT, Shushilan, and the International Center for Climate Change and Development discussed the tools for locally-led adaptation (LLA).
Colocal fellows from Bangladesh and Uganda presented their research and explored collaborative opportunities, and Nirmol Bangladesh hosted a workshop on ocean literacy and climate resilience.
Youth engagement remained a prominent theme across the sessions as well, with the “Influencers” group hosting a workshop to equip young leaders with tools for youth-driven climate advocacy, drawing from the experiences of displaced communities in Bangladesh.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology also hosted a session offering participants insights into the university’s public policy division that blends interdisciplinary learning in climate change and governance.
The conference was partially funded by the Colocal Project, supported by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, which works to advance research and education in locally led climate change adaptation and build the capacity of universities in Bangladesh, Nepal, Uganda, and Mozambique.