By
Quazi M. Ahmed
Founder & President, BOND
Bangladesh is one of the countries most affected by climate change, despite contributing very little to global emissions. Rising sea levels, floods, cyclones, and heatwaves pose real threats to its people, economy, and future. Yet amid these challenges, there is also opportunity especially for Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) who care deeply about their homeland.
At BOND (Bridging Organization with NRBs for Development), we believe NRBs hold the key to bridging global expertise with local action. With access to international education, technology, and networks, NRBs are uniquely positioned to support Bangladesh’s transition to a sustainable, climate-resilient future.
Why NRBs Are Vital to Bangladesh’s Climate Journey
Many NRBs are already engaged in sectors like clean energy, urban planning, sustainable agriculture, environmental law, and public health. They’ve seen how other countries are tackling climate issues and can bring those insights home adapting ideas that work in New York, Toronto, or Berlin to the context of Dhaka or Khulna.
Beyond professional expertise, there’s a strong emotional connection. For NRBs, climate change is personal. It’s about protecting ancestral homes, helping relatives in disaster-prone areas, and ensuring that future generations have a livable Bangladesh to return to.
How BOND Mobilizes NRBs for Climate Action
BOND provides a platform where NRBs can contribute in practical, meaningful ways to Bangladesh’s environmental progress. From small community-based efforts to policy-level engagement, NRBs are stepping up and BOND is making that participation easier and more impactful.
One of the key approaches is knowledge exchange. NRBs often have specialized knowledge that can help shape local solutions. Through webinars, online workshops, and strategic collaborations with Bangladeshi universities, BOND enables NRBs to share insights on topics like renewable energy, green urban design, or climate education.
Another important area is support for grassroots initiatives. Across Bangladesh, youth groups and NGOs are leading innovative climate projects planting trees, running recycling campaigns, building climate-resilient homes. NRBs can amplify and accelerate these efforts by offering funding, mentorship, or simply helping these stories reach a global audience.
BOND also encourages green investment. Many NRBs are interested in socially responsible investments. BOND helps identify eco-friendly startups and community-led projects that are making a real difference. This way, NRBs can put their capital to work not just for profit, but for the planet.
Areas of Immediate Impact
There are several areas where NRBs can jump in right now. For example, they can help promote solar energy in rural areas where access to electricity remains limited. They can support flood-resilient infrastructure projects in climate-risk zones. Some may choose to mentor young Bangladeshi entrepreneurs developing eco-tech solutions. Others might donate to climate education initiatives in schools, or help set up early warning systems in vulnerable communities.
Even small contributions like donating used laptops for environmental research, sharing case studies of successful climate solutions from abroad, or hosting virtual talks can create ripple effects.
Inspiring the Next Generation
BOND also focuses on the younger generation of NRBs. Children born and raised abroad can sometimes feel disconnected from their Bangladeshi heritage. Climate action provides a powerful way to bridge that gap. When they get involved in sustainability projects tied to their family’s homeland, they begin to see themselves as global citizens with a responsibility to protect their roots.
Through storytelling, social media campaigns, and youth engagement programs, BOND is nurturing this sense of identity and purpose ensuring that the legacy of climate leadership continues across generations.
Final Thoughts
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time and also one of the greatest opportunities for global collaboration. Bangladesh may be on the frontlines of the crisis, but it doesn’t stand alone.
Through BOND, NRBs around the world are becoming partners in progress offering knowledge, resources, and solidarity to help build a greener, safer, and more sustainable Bangladesh.
If you are an NRB and want to do something meaningful for your homeland, climate action is a powerful place to start.
Join BOND. Share what you know. Support what you believe in. And help shape a future where Bangladesh not only survives but thrives.