Bapon (SHM) Fakhruddin, PhD

Water and Climate Leader| Strategic Investment Partnerships and Co-Investments| Professor| EW4ALL| Board Member| Chair- CODATA TG| Award Winner (SDG 2021, EWS 2025)

Author: Bapon Fakhruddin

  • Water at the Heart of Climate Adaptation

    The critical role of water in climate adaptation again strongly highlighted the findings of the World Meteorological Organization “State of Climate Services” report. The progress made in developing climate services, particularly in vulnerable regions, while stressing the urgent need for further investment and capacity building. The interconnectedness of water, climate, and human livelihoods is emphasized,…

  • Achieving “Nature Positive” through Net Gain Legislation and Value Water at COP16

    In an era marked by unprecedented environmental challenges, the pursuit of a “nature positive” world has emerged as a critical objective. This vision aims for a measurable enhancement in the health, abundance, and resilience of natural ecosystems by 2030. Achieving this ambitious goal necessitates transformative changes in global legislation and resource management, particularly concerning water—a…

  • Transforming Water Governance Through Data

    We are at a pivotal moment in managing water, our planet’s most essential resource. The Global Commission on the Economics of Water’s report highlights that the global water cycle is imbalanced, threatening our water security, sustainable development, climate change efforts, and biodiversity. A key factor in addressing these challenges is data, which is crucial for…

  • Global Water Security and Climate Resilience

    #Watersecurity is a critical global challenge, with 25 countries experiencing extremely high water stress, affecting one-quarter of the world’s population. By 2050, an additional 1 billion people could face extreme water stress, and 31% of global GDP ($70 trillion) may be exposed to high water stress. The Green Climate Fund has mobilized $2.8 billion for…

  • Unlocking Nature-Based Solutions for a Sustainable Future with Blended Finance

    The world is facing a convergence of crises, including accelerating climate change, unprecedented biodiversity loss, and the degradation of ecosystems that are the foundation of life on Earth. However, nature-based solutions offer a path forward, as they are central to achieving climate goals, ensuring water security, and preserving the richness of life on our planet.…

  • Wood Vaults: A Nature-Inspired Solution for Long-Term Carbon Storage

    A new, innovative approach to combat climate change by burying wood in engineered “wood vaults” to store carbon long-term. Inspired by a 3775-year-old preserved wood log found in Quebec, this method could sequester up to 10 gigatonnes of CO2 globally per year. It’s cost-effective, ranging from $30 to $200 per tonne of CO2, making it…

  • Green Climate Fund 2023: Driving Transformative Climate Finance for Developing Nations

    As we are at the #ClimateWeekNYC and #UNGA, read our 2023 Annual Report demonstrating its growing impact. The Green Climate Fund has now committed $13.5 billion to 243 projects across 129 developing countries, leveraging over $50 billion in co-financing for climate action. In 2023 alone, GCF approved $2.1 billion for 34 new transformative projects. The Fund is…

  • Scaling Climate Resilience with Index-Based Insurance for Smallholder Farmers

    Index-based insurance is emerging as a powerful tool for climate resilience, especially for smallholder farmers. Key success factors include reducing basis risk, improving user understanding, and ensuring financial accessibility. A World Bank study found that index-based insurance can cut farmer vulnerability by up to 25%. In Ethiopia, the R4 Rural Resilience Initiative has insured over…

  • The Science and Practice of Meditation for Mental Resilience

    In the 1970s, American doctor and professor Herbert Benson made a groundbreaking discovery. Through his research on meditation, he found that this simple practice could significantly reduce activity in the sympathetic nervous system, the part of our brain responsible for the fight-or-flight response. This discovery opened the door to a wealth of research, revealing the…

  • Emerging Atlantic Nina and La Niña: Implications for Global Climate Patterns

    We have observed a rapid cooling in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean in the past three months. This is happening at a record speed. This emerging “Atlantic Nina” pattern and an expected La Nina in the Pacific Ocean present a complex interaction of climate forces that could have far-reaching impacts on weather patterns worldwide. According to…