Sustainable Development In Bangladesh Research Articles

Impact of Rapid Economic Development with Rising Carbon Emissions on Public Health And Healthcare Costs in Bangladesh

Background: Bangladesh, a rapidly developing country, is experiencing a critical phase where economic growth and environmental sustainability must be balanced. The swift industrialization and urbanization have led to increased energy consumption and carbon emissions, negatively impacting public health and healthcare expenditures. This study determined the intricate relationships between healthcare expenditure and its determinants—economic growth, CO2 emissions, urbanization, and natural resource use—in Bangladesh. Methods: Utilizing a dataset from 2004 to 2023, this study applies advanced econometric methods, including the dual adjustment approach, spectral causality, fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS), dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), and canonical cointegrating regression (CCR). Results: Results demonstrate a significant positive correlation between economic growth, urbanization, natural resources, and CO2 emissions on healthcare spending. The findings underscore that CO2 emissions and urbanization are substantial contributors to rising healthcare costs, while natural resources and economic growth present varying impacts based on different econometric models. The dual adjustment approach provides robust evidence of cointegration, revealing the long-term interactions among these variables. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study emphasizes the urgent need for effective national policies to mitigate healthcare costs driven by environmental degradation and economic growth. By understanding these relationships, policymakers can better manage health expenditures while promoting sustainable development in Bangladesh. The research highlights the necessity of integrating environmental and health policies to achieve a balanced growth trajectory.

Contribution of Tax Induced Foreign Direct Investment for Sustainable Development in Bangladesh

Tax incentives play a crucial role in promoting and facilitating foreign direct investment (FDI), thereby contributing to a country's overall economic development. However, Bangladesh experienced a decline in FDI-based foreign income in the first two quarters of 2018, partially attributed to a lag in FDI from the USA. Given Bangladesh's historical challenges with deficit financing post-independence, increasing self-revenue income and leveraging tax-induced FDI are imperative for achieving sustainable development goals. To develop tax incentive-based hypotheses, four investment climate factors are considered: i) Corporate Tax Rate (CTR), ii) Tax Holiday (TaxH), and iii) Tax Concession (TaxC). This research adopts an analytical and descriptive approach, employing a mixed-method research methodology to analyze data sourced from both primary and secondary sources. Data collection methods include semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis, focusing on regulatory bodies like NBR, BIDA, and BOI for tax incentive analysis, and relevant organizations such as BB, World Bank, UNCTAD, BIDS, FIAS, BEZA, and BEPZA for FDI-related documents. The impact of tax incentives on FDI inflows in Bangladesh from 2001 to 2020 is analyzed using a simple regression model. The independent variables include corporate tax rate, tax holiday, and tax concession, while controlled variables such as gross domestic product (GDP) and corruption are also considered, as they may influence FDI inflows. Statistical analysis reveals a negative influence of corporate tax rate on FDI inflows, while the tax holiday variable exhibits a positive and statistically significant relationship with FDI inflows. Furthermore, alongside the contribution of FDI, this study also examines sustainable development trends from 2016 to 2020, providing numerical insights into its attainment. Overall, this research sheds light on the importance of tax incentives in attracting FDI and its implications for sustainable development in Bangladesh.

Legal Aid in Environmental Litigation: How to Promote Sustainable Development in Bangladesh

Legal Aid in Environmental Litigation: How to Promote Sustainable Development in Bangladesh

Reconciling industrialization and environmental protection for sustainable development in Bangladesh: The textile and apparel industry case

The textile and apparel (T&A) industry in Bangladesh has been the biggest engine for economic growth for the last three decades. Thanks to the growing contribution of T&A industry, the country has consistently achieved high economic growth, alleviated poverty, and increased per capita income. The comparative advantage of a large pool of cheap labor, easy access to power, and a high potential of creating employment opportunities turned T&A industry as the most thriving sector for Bangladesh. However, the pursuit of speedy economic growth has resulted in a large-scale and poorly planned rapid rise of textile factories and enterprises. A growing number of textile industries and their clustering in a few districts in the country are taking a heavy toll on human health, ecosystems, and the overall environment. As a result, the most productive and profitable industry has become one of the most polluting industries in the country and therefore, it is of paramount importance to address the intensifying threat of environmental degradation in a sustainable manner that balances T&A industrial growth and causes the least damage to human health and natural environment. This paper will explore the major drivers of poorly planned T&A industry in Bangladesh and their adverse impacts on human health and the environment followed by some recommendations that can improve the environmental performance of T&A industry to ensure safe growth in Bangladesh.

Impact of Green Supply Chain Practices on Sustainable Development in Bangladesh

Impact of Green Supply Chain Practices on Sustainable Development in Bangladesh

Role of Government Institutions in Promoting Sustainable Development in Bangladesh: An Environmental Governance Perspective

This research examines the complex relationship between environmental governance, sustainable development, and the role of government institutions in Bangladesh. The study extensively examines the evolution of environmental governance, focusing on the establishment and functions of key institutions such as the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Department of Environment, the Department of Forest, the Bangladesh Water Development Board, the Forest Research Institute, etc. Relying solely on secondary sources, the methodology involved a comprehensive review and analysis of scholarly literature, policy documents, and reports to explore the nation's environmental trajectory. The findings underscore the commendable socio-economic progress achieved by Bangladesh compared to pressing environmental challenges. Rising carbon emissions, limited forest coverage, water resource mismanagement, and threats to biodiversity underscore the urgency for balanced and sustainable development. Government institutions, through policy formulation, implementation, research, and conservation efforts, play pivotal roles in addressing these challenges. However, the research highlights the imperative for a paradigm shift, emphasizing the need to integrate environmental considerations into development policies comprehensively. Bridging the gap between economic growth and environmental sustainability requires concerted efforts, policy reforms, and public engagement. This study emphasizes the pivotal role of government institutions, collaborative efforts, and policy reforms in leading the nation towards a more sustainable future.

Towards green economy and sustainable development in Bangladesh: assessing the role of social and environmental indicators.

The evolution towards a green economy integrating social, economic, and environmental concerns has opened a new window to pursue the sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially for emerging nations. Nonetheless, despite being a pressing concern on a global scale, empirical research into the potential for green economy development in the context of Bangladesh has remained notably inadequate. To fill this void, this study is an attempt to evaluate the connection among economic growth, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, education, life expectancy, and technology to conclude the ecological and socio-economic repercussions of a green economy in Bangladesh's framework of achieving SDGs. Considering the statistical features of the annual data from 1990 to 2019, the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) method has been employed to analyze the connections between the chosen variables. The empirical outcomes show that an upsurge in CO2 is accompanied by a 3.66% increase in GDP over the long term, suggesting a positive and statistically significant relationship between the two variables. In addition, GDP increases by about 4.2% for every 1% increase in life expectancy. However, the relationship between technological innovation and education found an insignificant positive linkage with GDP. The most important takeaway from these findings is that the growth of Bangladesh's economy is occurring at the expense of the environment. Hence, this research recommends that, as a developing nation, Bangladesh should concentrate on environment-friendly alternatives, which can be done through the introduction of a green economy to achieve a sustainably developed economy.

The effect of social media entrepreneurship on sustainable development: Evidence from online clothing shops in Bangladesh

The study examines the effect of rural women's participation in social media entrepreneurship on sustainable development in Bangladesh. The study collects 376 responses from the entrepreneurs of online clothing shops employing the simple random sampling technique. The data analysis was conducted using the PLS-SEM technique using Smart PLS 3.3v software. Developing the quantitative research design, the authors test the conceptual model by employing the deductive approach. The study finds a positive effect of women's participation in social media entrepreneurship on sustainable development within online clothing shops in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is capable of creating employment opportunities for rural women through ICT project offerings. Consistently this study also proves social media entrepreneurship increases women's contribution to their family income. Furthermore, this study finds that rural women's family income contribution positively affects sustainable development in Bangladesh. The study can help to achieve SDG 5: Gender Equality and Vision 2041 of Bangladesh at the earliest. Thus, the government, policymakers, and academics can use the study findings as a policy dialogue.

Environmental education for sustainable development in Bangladesh and its challenges

AbstractEnvironmental Education is very vital to reaching the agenda of Sustainable Development Goals. However, a lack of environmental awareness and gaps in theoretical knowledge and its practices still exists in Bangladesh. Therefore, this research aims to understand the students' perceptions of whether and how their behavior is environment‐friendly to achieve sustainable development goals. It also addresses teachers' perceptions of what are the shortcomings of environmental education in Bangladesh. It uses qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques based on in‐depth interviews, surveys among different categories of participants, and classroom observation. The article finds that the level of Environmental Education and students' awareness of the environment is inadequate. Some teachers believe that Environmental Education is not better in Bangladesh due to the absence of practical learning of Environmental Education, lack of motivations and actions, institutional weakness, inadequate policies, poor implementation, and cultural and traditional beliefs. Thus, this article argues that Bangladeshi Environmental Education is insufficient to change the students' behavior towards the environment, making it difficult for the country to ensure Sustainable Development.

How Can Stories in Primary Education Support Sustainable Development in Bangladesh?

Stories are considered to be the most popular form of lore, which can facilitate the moral and ethical deliberation of sustainability for our children. It is evident that children respond better to stories than any other form of communication. Once the stories end, the lessons remain. The values tangled with the lesson transmit as they grow. Stories have always been instrumental and the most conventional way of teaching values by using illustrations from our lives. The major aim of this paper is to explore the values expressed in Bengali childlore through stories and tales and develop a framework by using a scaffolding and mapping approach. This framework attempts to analyse two commonly recognised stories, namely “Shukhu and Dukhu” and “Jackal, The Judge”, by scaffolding them with the generally acknowledged principles of sustainability and mapping them to investigate how stories can influence children to build a pro-sustainability attitude. This approach has been chosen, as recent research already points out the issues in implementing sustainability in education, but no one has yet found the way forward. The premise at the core of this theoretical article is that an interdisciplinary approach and different pedagogical tools could help build the bridge towards implementing sustainability in education as well as in society.

Building resilience in the face of natural disasters: ICT, fossil fuel use, and sustainable development in an emerging economy

As an emerging and rapidly growing economy, Bangladesh is among the top vulnerable countries in the world in terms of natural disasters. These disasters, in turn, have significant implications for sustainable development of this country. In this research, following theoretical and empirical background, we evaluate the role of natural disaster, information and communication technology or ICT, non-renewable energy use, international cooperation in the form of globalization and public sector corruption on sustainable development of Bangladesh. We use the data from 1985 to 2021 and employ robust econometric techniques such as dynamic ARDL simulation. The result from the dynamic ARDL simulation suggests that natural disaster has positive and significant effect on sustainable development of Bangladesh in the short and long run. The use of ICT as well as non-renewable energy has positive and significant impact only in the long run. Furthermore, international cooperation significantly and positively affects sustainable development both in the long run and short run while corruption has no impact in any period. The study finally provides policy recommendations based on the above findings.

Conceptualization of The Alternative Zakat and Ushr Based Poverty Allviation and Sustainable Development Model: An Empirical Case Study in Bangladesh

The purpose of this research is to investigate the role of ‘Zakat and Ushr’ as a key tool to achieve sustainable development in Bangladesh. The study also proposes an alternative model for Zakat distribution analyzing drawbacks and challenges of prevailed Zakat distribution system. The present study used qualitative approach with intensive interview on about zakat practices in Bangladesh. The study finding from the literature surveys about Zakat distribution affirm that an alternative model for Zakat distribution system can ensure sustainable development through decreasing the rate of poverty based on the Umar bin Al Khattab (RA) and Ummar bin Abdul Aziz poverty model. The study shows that Zakat providers in Bangladesh distribute Zakat in an unplanned and unstructured way which is not the purpose of Zakat according to the direction of Quran and Sunnah. In the prevailed system, Zakat providers distribute Zakat mainly in the month of Ramadan and individual Zakat providers divide whole portion of individual Zakat amount among mass people which are being helpful for poor people to run their family for a very short period of time. Therefore, based on above findings the present study proposes an alternative model for distributing Zakat in Bangladesh considering the direction of Al-Quran and Hadith. This proposed model suggests engaging local leaders, Imam of mosques, Zakat providers and Zakat receivers that can ensure building community-based Zakat funds to develop individual poor people for a long period of time.

Failing to attain sustainable development in Bangladesh: A potential comprehensive strategy for sustainability

AbstractThe study analyzes the underlying reasons and ensuing consequences of Chattogram city's development in Bangladesh, which diverges from the principles of sustainable development. This research employs mixed‐method approaches incorporating primary data to achieve its objectives. The primary data is based on a survey, interview, the author's experience, and participatory observation in Chattogram city. Furthermore, it critically examines the existing literature to develop a theoretical understanding of Chattogram city's sustainable development and its sustainable environmental nexus. The results indicate that the expansion of Chattogram city's urbanization and industrialization is proceeding at a rapid pace; however, it is occurring in an uncoordinated and unsustainable manner that neglects environmental protection. Consequently, the city's development falls short of aligning with environmental sustainability and is liable to induce negative ramifications on the environment, human health, biodiversity, and climate. The study pinpoints several factors contributing to environmental degradation, including environmental mismanagement, non‐existence of a master plan, environmental illiteracy, absence of carbon emission objectives, and haphazard industrialization and urbanization. Importantly, the issue has been exacerbated due to the inadequate focus on sustainability in the developmental process. Therefore, the findings of this research indicate that a sustainable development perspective is required to comprehend and address the issue of environmental degradation in Chattogram city. In addition, the comprehensive sustainable development strategy and policy recommendations proposed in this study are likely to be efficacious in curbing environmental degradation in Chattogram and other developing cities.

Exploring Environmental Kuznets Curve and Pollution Haven Hypothesis in Bangladesh: The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment

Bangladesh receives the second-most foreign direct investment in South Asia. Over the past 30 years, Bangladesh's economy has expanded tremendously because of increased investment from several foreign countries. Although it can be beneficial in certain ways including the generation of new jobs, the improvement of infrastructure, and the equalization of economic rewards across the population; foreign direct investment has unintended consequences, such as ecological damage. In light of this, it is worth exploring the effects of foreign direct investment on sustainable development in Bangladesh. Using the most up-to-date annual data between 1990 and 2019, this study investigated the evidence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve and the Pollution Haven Hypothesis in Bangladesh. To assess the effects of economic growth, foreign direct investment, energy use, and trade on carbon dioxide emissions, this research employed the autoregressive distributed lag method. The empirical results indicated that the country has an inverted U-shaped Environmental Kuznets Curve and the adverse impact of foreign direct investment on the environment confirmed the validity of the Pollution Haven Hypothesis in Bangladesh. The results paint a bleak picture, sounding an alarm for policymakers to pay closer attention to the ways in which development leads to increased carbon emissions and how multinational companies operating within the country worsen the situation. That's why it's important to subject foreign investors to stringent environmental regulations. In addition, the nation's economic expansion should be guided by sustainable development goals.

Design and Concept of Renewable Energy Driven Auto-Detectable Railway Level Crossing Systems in Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s railway system mostly uses typical manual railway crossing techniques or boom gates through its 2955.53 km rail route all over the country. Accidents frequently happen at railway crossings due to the lack of quickly operating gate systems, and to fewer safety measures at the railway crossing as well. Currently, there are very few automatic railway crossing systems available (without obstacle detectors). Additionally, all of them are dependent on the national power grid, without a backup plan for any emergency cases. Bangladesh is still running a bit behind in generating enough power for its consumption; hence, it is not possible to have a continuous power supply at all times all over the countryside. We aim to design and develop a smart railway crossing system with an obstacle detector to prevent common types of accidents at railway crossing points. We use two infrared (IR) sensors to operate the railway crossing systems, which are controlled by an Arduino Uno. This newly designed level crossing system is run with the help of sustainable renewable energy, which is cost-effective and eco-friendly, and applied under the national green energy policy towards achieving sustainable development in Bangladesh as a part of the global sustainable goal to face climate change challenges. We have summarized the simulated the results of several renewable energy sources, including a hybrid system, and optimized the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) and the payback periods.

Peasants’ Viewpoint on Bringing the Next Generation into Agriculture: Insights from Bangladesh

Peasant farming is not merely about producing food, but it embodies a lifestyle, wisdom, and existence for rural communities, reflecting their values, traditions, and relationships with nature, land, family, and society. Therefore, understanding how these communities pass on their farming practices to the next generation is crucial. In Bangladesh, significant changes in socioeconomic sectors have affected the rural social structure and peasant life. A mixed-method study was conducted in 2022 in two northwestern villages, Chanduria and Ratoil. The study aimed to understand the aspirations of peasants about their children’s involvement in agriculture. The results showed that about 87% of the peasants surveyed were hesitant to involve their children in farming. This reluctance can be attributed to three main reasons: low financial returns from farming (85% of respondents), aspirations of the younger generation for higher-paying and prestigious jobs (70% of respondents), and concerns about exposing their children to environmental and market uncertainties (69% of respondents). Focus group discussions with young people revealed similar attitudes and behaviors. Therefore, it’s important for policymakers to consider these attitudes when formulating strategies for sustainable development in Bangladesh.

Responsibility of family towards teaching ethics and morality for sustainable development in Bangladesh: A critical explanation from Tawhidic paradigm

This paper, through a mixed-method approach (interview and survey questionnaire), investigates the responsibility of family towards teaching ethics and morality to children for sustainable development, specifically in Bangladesh. Reports and studies have shown that children have shown unethical and immorality practices due to a lack of education about Ethics and Morality, similar to those of tertiary-level graduates. This situation becomes an impediment to sustainable development. Malpractices, unethical behavior, and immorality actions are rampant reported in the mainstream news. Eventually, such a situation leads to non-sustainable development. The findings opined that the family has a fiduciary responsibility to teach Ethics and Morality to children. The respondents contended that the value-driven approach through the Tawhidic Paradigm (Unity of God) of teaching ethics and morality empowered society in Bangladesh with high ethical and moral conducts in decisions and actions. This study provides practical implications for policymakers and practitioners for socio-economic policies and practices in Bangladesh for sustainable development. The results of the study are contextually limited by the size of the samples, area, and robustness of the analysis. IIUC Business Review Vol. 7-8, Dec. 2018-19 pp. 31-46

Public sector innovation outcome-driven sustainable development in Bangladesh: applying the dynamic autoregressive distributed lag simulations and Kernel-based regularised least square machine learning algorithm approaches

AbstractThis research investigates the role of public sector innovation outcomes, e.g. trademark innovation, information and communication technology (ICT), renewable energy, and governance, in the sustainable development of Bangladesh during 1980–2019. Utilising the dynamic autoregressive distributed lag (DARDL) simulation approach, this study divulges a favourable long-term influencing profile of public sector innovation outcomes, i.e. trademark innovation, ICT, and renewable energy on sustainable development, while governance has a heterogeneous impact. Besides, the findings from the DARDL simulations area plots display 10% counterfactual shocks to the public sector innovation outcomes on sustainable development. Furthermore, the Kernel-based regularised least square machine learning algorithm approach used in the study examines the marginal effects of the public sector innovation outcomes on sustainable development for robust findings. Therefore, the policy suggestions are solely concerned with the public sector’s adoption of more innovation dynamics through appropriate policy formulation.

Fourth Industrial Revolution and Sustainable Development in Bangladesh: A New Frontier in Foreign Policy

Fourth Industrial Revolution and Sustainable Development in Bangladesh: A New Frontier in Foreign Policy

The Business-Politics Nexus and Violations of the Water Bodies in Dhaka City

In the last four decades, Bangladesh has achieved a remarkable transformation and improvements in terms of its economic and social development. Bangladesh’s achievement in environmental governance and sustainable development, however, is far from satisfactory. Multi-dimensional tragedies have occurred in the public resources, particularly the water bodies in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Water and forest resources are grabbed, depleted, and destroyed by certain political and economic interest groups. Few studies had focused on the governance of the water bodies in Dhaka City by adopting a political economic approach. Against this backdrop, adopting such an approach, this paper explores how the water bodies of Dhaka City have suffered violations. The paper argues that the ‘tragedy of the public resources’, particularly of the water bodies of Dhaka City, occurred primarily not due to the increasing population pressure but due to business and politics links associated with human transgression. Although the population boom has contributed to the rising pressure for public property and resources, the political business links, combined with a low institutional capacity, have primarily caused the disasters of the water bodies in Dhaka City. Successive governments have designed policies, laws, rules, and regulations for saving and protecting land, forest, and river resources. The government environmental agencies, however, have largely failed to manage and protect the public land and river resources effectively and efficiently. Consequently, the water bodies have been encroached on, misused, and grabbed, endangering the very existence of the rivers and so, ultimately, the process of sustainable development in Bangladesh.