Extreme heat in Bangladesh: A study about heat wave exposure, vulnerability, impact and response options

The overall objective of this study is to explore the context of heat risk in terms of hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and impact in Bangladesh. It also aims to investigate heat stress coping, adaptive capacities in contexts of rural and urban communities, and recommends interventions to enhance response mechanisms, preparedness, and the overall resilience of disaster management, environmental, health, and other relevant ministries. In addition, the study identifies key stakeholders and policies relevant for heat wave adaptation, mitigation, and heat stress management.

The study employs a simplified version of the IPCC risk framework to explore context and factors of risk from extreme heat in Bangladesh. The framework emphasizes risk - and the impacts when the risk is realized - as result of the interaction between a climate hazard, exposure, and vulnerability, as well as the considerations of responses and adaptation to the risk to mitigate potential impact. The study employed a mixed-method approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative methodologies for data collection and analysis to understand the context, stakeholders, gender implications, and policies relevant to heat stress and identify certain areas of interventions.