Quantifying climate-induced non-economic loss and damage in coastal Bangladesh to inform policy

Abstract

Understanding climate-related loss and damage requires moving beyond economic indicators, as many of the most severe impacts are non-economic, intangible, and difficult to quantify. These non-economic loss and damage (NELD) are often overlooked in both research and policy, particularly in highly climate-vulnerable regions. This study assesses climate-induced NELD in Shyamnagar, a highly exposed coastal area of Bangladesh, and examines how multiple climate-related hazards, including cyclones, storm surges, salinity intrusion, floods, and riverbank erosion—contribute to these losses. A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining semi-structured household surveys (n = 150), the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), and statistical analyses. AHP was used to identify community-level priorities of NELD categories, while Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression were employed to examine relationships between hazards and specific forms of loss. Changes in key indicators were assessed based on respondents’ perceptions over the past decade, relative to baseline conditions. The results reveal substantial impacts across environmental and livelihood systems, with declines in crop production (68.06%) and green aesthetics (53.90%), largely driven by salinity intrusion and riverbank erosion. Significant losses were also observed in health, land security, cultural practices, and social cohesion. Storm surges, salinity intrusion, floods, and riverbank erosion emerged as dominant drivers. These findings highlight hidden losses affecting well-being and resilience, supporting more targeted and equitable climate policy and adaptation strategies. This study provides empirical evidence that can support prioritization of funding under emerging loss and damage financing mechanisms.