Center for Sustainable Development (CSD)

Professor Mahmood Hossain, Head, Environmental Studies and Sustainability, and Director, Center for Sustainable Development (CSD), presented the feasibility assessment of the CASMAR project (Carbon Sequestration through Mangrove Afforestation and Restoration) to the Bangladesh Forest Department. The presentation highlighted the scientific framework and key findings of the study, focusing on mangrove plantation potential in coastal char lands of Bangladesh.
This represents one of the first structured feasibility assessments for a carbon sequestration project in Bangladesh, laying the foundation for future carbon market engagement and nature-based climate
solutions.
The assessment evaluates the potential of coastal char lands for large-scale mangrove restoration, plantation, and carbon sequestration. A multi-criteria ecological approach, integrating ecological, hydrological, and anthropogenic factors, was applied across 18 char lands in Barguna, Bhola, and Patuakhali districts to assess the feasibility.
This study was conducted in partnership with Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU), reflecting strong collaboration to advance nature-based solutions and carbon-focused initiatives in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Forest Department | Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU)

On 2 May 2026, the ULAB Department of Environmental Studies and Sustainability and the Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) at ULAB, as knowledge partners, hosted the International Course on “Environmental Science and Climate Action: A Global South Perspective” offered by C3ER, BRAC University in partnership with Mission Green Bangladesh, the Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), the University of Dundee, and Asia Hub–Michigan State University.
Delivered in a hybrid format, the program combines online sessions by international instructors with on-campus facilitation and mentorship at partner universities.
As part of the opening session, Ms. Sameera Zaman shared insights into various ongoing and completed climate change initiatives, highlighting practical experiences and local engagement efforts. Dr. Haseeb M Irfanullah conducted an engaging lecture on “Nature-Based Solutions & Ecosystem Restoration,” emphasizing sustainable approaches to environmental resilience and climate action. Together, these sessions set the tone for a dynamic learning experience for the participants from different backgrounds, focused on collaboration, innovation, and sustainability.

May 1st is more than a holiday, it is a reminder that workers' rights were never given freely; they were fought for. In Bangladesh, that fight is deeply personal.

Over 85% of Bangladesh's 70 million-strong labour force works in the informal sector, without formal contracts, social security, or union representation. Women bear a disproportionate burden, facing pay disparities, and limited maternity leave, despite powering the industry that drives the nation's economy.

Just a week ago, on April 24th, Bangladesh marked 13 years since the Rana Plaza tragedy, a wound that has never fully healed. An eight-storey building in Savar collapsed in 90 seconds, killing at least 1,136 garment workers and injuring thousands more.

There is a cautious reason for hope. November 2025 brought a significant milestone, with Bangladesh becoming the first Asian country to ratify all 11 of the ILO's fundamental labour instruments. But ratification must translate into real protection on the factory floor and not remain solely symbolic on paper.

On this May Day, we honour every worker who keeps this country moving, seen and unseen.

In memory of the lives lost at Rana Plaza. May they never be forgotten.

Source: The Business Standard, The Daily Star, Public Service Alliance of Canada

We had the privilege of hosting an insightful session on “Tackling the Energy Crisis with Renewables in Bangladesh Considering the Current Scenario” at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh on 4th April, 2026.

The session, conducted by Mr. Md. Subail Bin Alam, COO of Rancon Infrastructure and Engineering Ltd., Director, Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Ltd, Founding Member, Center for Science, Tech & Policy Diplomacy, came at a critically relevant time when Bangladesh is navigating energy insecurity, rising fuel costs, and increasing climate vulnerabilities. His practical insights into the current energy landscape, industry challenges, and the role of renewable solutions provided students with a grounded understanding that goes beyond textbooks.

The session was arranged as part of the Renewable Energy course, instructed by Ms. Nayma A. Jahan and Dr Shahana Afrose Chowdhury. Notably, it was conducted entirely using natural daylight, with classroom lighting turned off to reduce energy consumption.

Such engagement serve as a vital connection that links academic studies with practical real-world applications. Students were able to develop their capacity to think critically about current energy problems while studying possible renewable energy solutions for Bangladesh and learning about the three essential elements that define the energy sector.

The session advanced student learning through its development of analytical skills and industry knowledge and its solution-oriented approach that particularly benefits students who will work in sustainable energy fields.

🌿New article from CSD Research Associate Tahura Farbin

The Sundarbans is often celebrated as a powerful “blue carbon” solution to climate change. But behind the promise of carbon markets and conservation are the everyday realities of the millions of people who depend on the forest to survive.

In a new piece in The Revelator, Tahura Farbin explores what happens when global climate ambitions meet local livelihoods in the world’s largest mangrove forest — and why justice, access, and community voices must be part of climate solutions.

Grateful for the support and encouragement from colleagues and partners who helped make this work possible, including Turning Tides, Samiya Selim, Juliana Cubides, Phillipa Cohen, and Dr. Sisir Kantha Pradhan.

📖 Read the article:
https://therevelator.org/blue-carbon-sundarbans/

Before Blue Carbon: Rethinking Carbon Dreams and Closed Forests in the Sundarbans • The Revelator Planned investments in these mangrove forests — hailed for their carbon-sequestration potential — could further leave people behind and ecosystems at risk.

The two-year journey of ACCESS4ALL comes to an end. What began as an effort to strengthen climate education turned into a deeply rewarding journey of learning and collaboration. Among the most cherished outcomes were the development of the short course “Green Skills for Professionals” and the launch of the MOOC “Professional Development Certificate: Green Skills for Climate Change Adaptation.” The overwhelmingly positive reception of these courses has been both encouraging and inspiring, motivating us to continue our efforts to advance climate education through a more contextualized and practical lens.

Shout-out to our very own ULAB team - Dr. Samiya Selim, Sameera Zaman, Dr. Haseeb M Irfanullah, Nayma A. Jahan, Isra Tahiya Islam, Tanim Hasan, and past members Sadia Lena Alfee and Razin Saleh, who worked extraordinarily under the project and made it a success. Dr. Faisal Kabir's expert facilitation across both phases of the professional Green Skills course ensured a smooth delivery and effective engagement with early-career professionals. Special thanks to Prof. Imran Rahman for representing ULAB at the project steering committee, and Dr. Mohammad Shazzad Hossain for being part of the academic advisory board.

This journey would not have been possible without the tremendous support of our partner institutions. A heartfelt thanks to Prof. Sabina Faiz Rashid, Ishrat Jahan, Rubaiyat Ashrafee, Selima Sara Kabir, Devjani Chowdhury and Protyasha Ghosh, for coordinating the project so efficiently, being on the ground, and bringing in community perspectives.

It was a wonderful experience co-developing the professional course alongside the team from IUB- K. A. Rabbani, Rumana Sultana, Saquib Ahmed Khan, and Lisa Sunzida Kazi, who led the development of the student course. Also grateful to Mohammad Nadiruzzaman and Esther Jurgens from Maastricht University, whose pedagogical guidance helped shape both the course design and the facilitation guidelines, strengthening the learning experience for participants, and Kate Bärnighausen and Robert Sullivan from Heidelberg University, who supported the virtual translation of the course that garnered such a huge response at a global scale.

Thanks to the European Union for supporting such key initiatives under their Erasmus+ CBHE Programme.

ULAB is grateful to have been part of this partnership and remains committed to carrying these resources forward and ensuring their continued impact.

On 24 February, BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, hosted a symposium titled “A Climate-Educated Future: Advancing Southern-Led Climate Education and Community-Centred Knowledge” at the BRAC Centre.

The event highlighted the achievements, key findings, and resources developed under the Access4All project. From the Center for Sustainable Development at ULAB, Nayma Jahan, shared its journey in developing the course “Green Skills for Professionals” and the MOOC “Professional Development Certificate: Green Skills for Climate Change Adaptation”

Community ambassadors from Khulna, Satkhira, and Chuadanga shared their experiences participating in the project and offered valuable insights from their work on the ground.

Sharing perspectives and key takeaways on advancing climate education through local leadership and community engagement, the symposium concluded with a panel discussion on “Southern-Led Curricula and Community Co-Production as a Way Forward” featuring Golam Samdani Fakir, BRAC University; Dr. J.S.M. (Anja) Krumeich, Maastricht University; Samiya Selim PhD, Center for Sustainable Development, ULAB; Kh. Ayaz Rabbani, Independent University, Bangladesh; Mohammed Nadiruzzaman, Maastricht University, and Sabina Faiz Rashid, BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health

We warmly welcome Professor Shamsad Mortuza as the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor. His appointment reinforces ULAB’s strategic commitment to academic excellence, impactful research, and sustainable institutional development.

A strong presence from Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) at the 3rd-Coastal Water Convention 2026 underscored the institution’s growing leadership in research-driven, solution-oriented climate discourse in Bangladesh’s coastal and deltaic regions, contributing across multiple thematic tracks-bringing together insights on community resilience, nature-based solutions (NbS), water security, and the water–energy–food nexus.

Md Faisal Imran shared findings on the effectiveness of Nature-based Solutions in addressing water stress—positioning NbS as an integrated response to water insecurity, ecological degradation, and climate vulnerability, with pathways for locally grounded scaling.

Sawda Yeasmin presented research on Neighbourhood Dynamics and Community Resilience in South-western Coastal Bangladesh, highlighting how social cohesion, bonding and bridging relationships, and place-based networks shape adaptive capacity under climate stress.

These contributions were supported under Swiss National Science Foundation and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation through the SOR4D Solution-oriented Research for Development collectively reinforced the value of locally led, evidence-based, and interdisciplinary approaches to coastal and water-centric climate challenges.

Additionally, Nayma Jahan presented under the SHIFT project, examining Community-Managed Solar Irrigation as a Water–Energy–Food Nexus intervention in Northern Bangladesh, demonstrating how decentralized renewable solutions can strengthen climate adaptation and resource governance.

Under the STRIVE project, a team from the Center for Sustainable Development (CSD), ULAB recently completed a 3-days field visit from 20th-23rd January 2026 to the Sundarbans-adjacent communities of Shinghortali and Nildumur. The fieldwork was conducted by Md. Sakhawat Hossain Saikat and Ahmed Mahin, Research Assistants at CSD-ULAB, along with three data
enumerators, to better understand community livelihoods, forest dependency, and local conservation practices.

Through 4 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and 96 household surveys, the team engaged closely with local community members who depend heavily on the Sundarbans for resources such as honey, fish, crab, and fuelwood.

The discussions highlighted major challenges faced by the communities, including increasing forest access restrictions, security concerns, corruption in licensing systems, and environmental degradation. Community members also shared their experiences related to piracy, declining wildlife, illegal resource extraction, and the specific difficulties women face in accessing forest-based livelihoods.

ULAB is proud to sign an MoU with Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU) to conduct a feasibility study on the CASMAR project (Carbon Sequestration through Mangrove Afforestation and Restoration in Bangladesh), marking our first step into the carbon market in Bangladesh. 🌱🌍

This collaboration will advance evidence-based climate action through research, nature-based solutions, and cross-sector partnerships with CSD and ULAB Department of Environmental Studies and Sustainability. It also opens up exciting opportunities for our ESS students to engage in hands-on fieldwork, gain practical research experience, and contribute directly to coastal resilience and carbon sequestration efforts.