Dear Friends and Colleagues,

This quarter has been a difficult one for the CAN South Asia family as we mourned the loss of our dear colleague and friend, Santosh Kumar Patnaik, who passed away on 9 August 2026. Santosh was part of CANSA since 2014 and made valuable contributions to our work. He will be deeply remembered, and our heartfelt condolences are with his family and loved ones.

The devastating floods in Nepal have also brought into sharp focus the growing climate risks facing South Asia, particularly communities in the Himalayan region. They reinforce the urgent need for stronger adaptation, accessible climate finance, and regional cooperation to address escalating climate impacts. We stand in solidarity with our members in Nepal and the people of Nepal in the wake of this devastating tragedy, which has affected communities on a vast scale.

During the quarter, CAN South Asia continued to strengthen regional dialogue and bring together civil society, youth, researchers, and partners around shared priorities including adaptation, loss and damage, climate-induced displacement, resilient food systems, and equitable climate finance. CANSA also continued its engagement with SAARC, exploring opportunities for collaboration and stronger regional cooperation on climate and related priorities. 

Through our advocacy, knowledge-sharing, and communications, we continue to amplify the experiences and priorities of communities across South Asia and strengthen the region’s collective voice for climate justice.

I invite you to explore this quarter’s newsletter and the work of our members and partners across the region.

Thank you for your continued engagement and support.

In solidarity,

Dr. Sanjay Vashist
Director
Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA)

CANSA Mourns the Loss of Santosh Kumar Patnaik (1981–2026)

The CAN South Asia family mourns the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Santosh Kumar Patnaik, who passed away on 9 August 2026 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Santosh had been with CANSA since 2014, serving as a Program Coordinator and making valuable contributions to community-led initiatives and CANSA’s programme priorities. He will be remembered for his dedication, sincerity, leadership, and commitment to the organisation’s work. Our heartfelt condolences are with his family and loved ones. He will be deeply missed and always remembered.

CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT WITH SAARC AND BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS

CANSA continued its engagement with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) through a series of meetings in July. 

The engagements provided an opportunity to explore areas of mutual interest and discuss potential avenues for collaboration. CANSA will continue these discussions towards developing concrete plans for joint efforts and strengthening regional cooperation on climate and related priorities.

CANSA’s Senior Advisor, Palash Das, met the senior leadership of the SAARC Agriculture Centre to explore a strategic partnership between CANSA and SAC. The discussions focused on advancing climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable trade, food security, knowledge exchange, and coordinated regional collaboration to address the adverse impacts of climate change in South Asia.

CANSA participated in a two-day workshop organised by SAARC Agriculture Centre in Colombo in August on women’s entrepreneurship and regional trade in South Asian agriculture, experts exchanged perspectives and experiences. Key discussions included de-risking and blended climate finance to support women-led, climate-responsive agribusiness and a stronger, climate- resilient agriculture value-chain across the region.

EVENTS | WEBINARS

Climate Change Resilience Strategy
20 August 2026

Webinar 7 of the Monthly Webinar Series: Advancing Climate Action, Community Resilience & Knowledge Collaboration in Asia Pacific focused on inclusive and transformative approaches to climate resilience. The session highlighted the integration of scientific knowledge with local and Indigenous knowledge, community-led solutions, innovation and regional collaboration, featuring experiences from Bangladesh, India and Italy. Read more.

Youth for COP 2026 – Edition 3 | Grand Opening Ceremony
25 July 2026

The Youth for COP 2026 journey was officially launched with a vibrant Grand Opening Ceremony that brought together young climate leaders and participants from across the Global South. The session set a collaborative tone for the months ahead, fostering meaningful dialogue, shared learning, and collective action on climate issues. Featuring an inspiring line-up of speakers, the ceremony offered diverse perspectives and valuable insights, sparking engaging conversations among participants. It also created a dynamic space for connection-building across regions and communities, marking a strong and promising start to the initiative. Read more.

Building Urban Resilience to Climate Change: Policy responses and Resilience Strategies
20 July 2026

Webinar 6 of the Monthly Webinar Series: Advancing Climate Action, Community Resilience & Knowledge Collaboration in Asia Pacific explored the challenges of rapid urbanisation and climate change, highlighting strategies for building resilient cities through climate-responsive planning, nature-based solutions, green infrastructure and improved public services. The session also emphasised the need for stronger governance, capacity building, technical support and climate finance to advance inclusive and climate-resilient urban development. Read more.

2nd International Climate Camp In the Heart of the Himalayas
7th- 11th July 2026

The 2nd International Climate Camp 2026 was successfully held from 7–11 July across Kathmandu and Pokhara, Nepal, bringing together over 100 youth leaders and climate advocates from South Asia. The immersive programme blended leadership workshops, grassroots engagement, and cultural experiences, fostering collaboration and inspiring participants to drive climate action in their communities. Read more.

CANSA IN THE NEWS

PRESS RELEASE

CANSA Stands in Solidarity with Nepal as Unprecedented Flash Floods Expose Growing Climate Vulnerability Across the Himalaya

CANSA expressed solidarity with the people of Nepal following the devastating flash floods of August 2026, highlighting the growing risks faced by mountain and downstream communities as climate impacts intensify. The tragedy underscores the need to strengthen adaptation, resilience, early warning systems and regional cooperation across South Asia, while ensuring greater attention to averting, minimising and addressing loss and damage. CANSA emphasised that climate-related disasters do not respect national borders and called for stronger cross-border collaboration, knowledge sharing and international support to protect vulnerable communities from the mounting human, social and economic costs of the climate crisis. Read more.

BLOG

BRICS: Bridging for Inclusive and Resilient Future
By Swayamprabha Das, Ph.D, TEDx speaker I Environment & Development

As India chairs BRICS 2026 under the theme Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability, the Environment Working Group is prioritising sustainable lifestyles, circular economy, afforestation, forest fire management, disaster resilience, and climate adaptation. By blending traditional wisdom with modern science—restoring landscapes, conserving wetlands, managing water and harnessing technology like AI and drones BRICS is reimagining the people planet connect to empower communities, secure livelihoods, and build a resilient future. Read more.

MEMBERS IN ACTION

Across South Asia, CANSA members continue to champion locally led climate action, strengthen community resilience, and advance climate justice. Here are some of the inspiring initiatives from across our network this quarter.

THE ASSAM CLIMATE CHANGE
MANAGEMENT SOCIETY

ACCMS and Mahabahu Climate Forum Join Hands to Strengthen Climate Action in Assam

The Assam Climate Change Management Society (ACCMS), under the Environment, Forest & Climate Change Department, Assam, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Mahabahu Climate Forum (MCF) to strengthen collaborative climate action across the State. The partnership will focus on enhancing citizen participation in climate action through awareness generation, advocacy, capacity building, and grassroots-level initiatives involving diverse stakeholder groups. ACCMS and MCF will work together to empower communities and promote climate-conscious practices, contributing to stronger and more inclusive responses to the challenges of climate change in Assam.

SAMSOOR WATAN ORGANISATION
(AFGHANISTAN)

Climate Justice in Afghanistan

Samsoor Watan Organization for Environment has highlighted the growing climate justice challenges facing communities in Afghanistan, where droughts, floods, water scarcity and food insecurity are disproportionately affecting women, youth, farmers and rural communities.

The organisation has called for climate action and finance for Afghanistan to prioritise the needs of vulnerable communities, irrespective of political considerations.

Samsoor Watan is also preparing to launch the Afghanistan Local Conference of Youth (ALCOY) in October, bringing together young people from across the country to develop a youth statement on climate priorities ahead of COP31. Read more.

YOUNG POWER IN SOCIAL ACTION

YPSA Study Highlights the Growing Urban Dimension of Climate-Induced Displacement in Chattogram

Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) has published a study on climate-induced displacement and rural-to-urban migration in Chattogram. Based on 540 climate migrant respondents, it identifies river erosion as the leading cause of displacement, alongside floods, cyclones, tidal inundation and sea-level rise. The study highlights challenges around housing, livelihoods and basic services, particularly for women, and calls for climate-resilient urban planning, secure housing, improved services and gender-responsive policies. Read more.

THE CLIMATE REALITY PROJECT, INDIA,
AND SOUTH ASIA

Youth for COP 2026: Building a Global
Youth Climate Community

The Climate Reality Project India & South Asia has launched the third edition of Youth for COP, bringing together around 1,200 young people from 110 countries, selected from over 5,000 applications across 147 countries. The programme continues its partnership with CANSA, connecting youth with diverse climate perspectives across South Asia and the Global South. This year, experts and Climate Reality Leaders are contributing to live sessions and learning content, with plans to strengthen pathways for youth engagement in COP and future climate negotiations.

JANATHAKSHAN (SRI LANKA)

When the Tanks Fall Silent: Climate
Change and Inland Fishing in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka’s dry zone, tanks and reservoirs sustain water, food and livelihoods for rural communities, including inland fishers. During July–August 2026, prolonged dry and hot conditions put increasing pressure on water resources, with storage in 80 major reservoirs at around 48% of capacity. Falling water levels are shrinking fish habitats, reducing catches and affecting incomes and food security.

The situation highlights the need for stronger resilience to longer and more uncertain dry periods. Restoring tanks, improving water management and early-warning systems, supporting sustainable fisheries, and diversifying livelihoods will be essential.

THE CENTER FOR PARTICIPATORY
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
(BANGLADESH)

CPRD Shares Two New Publications on
Climate and Human Rights

The Center for Participatory Research & Development (CPRD) has published two resources addressing climate-induced human rights violations in Bangladesh:

• Joint Civil Society Submissions for Safeguarding against Climate-induced Human Rights Violation: The Fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR 4) of Bangladesh

• Implementation of UPR-4 Recommendations for Safeguarding Against Climate-induced Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh: Engagement and Advocacy Guideline

The first presents the joint civil society submission for UPR-4, while the second highlights accepted recommendations and provides guidance for CSO engagement ahead of UPR-5 in early 2028.

The submission proposed 18 actions, of which 12 were accepted by the Government. The publications were launched during a National Stocktake Exercise highlighting the need for coordinated implementation.

VSO (BANGLADESH)

Turning Plastic into Possibility: Sadiya’s
Path to Independence

For 22-year-old Mossammat Sadiya Akter from Gaibandha, Bangladesh, financial hardship and early marriage threatened her education and dreams of independence. Through the Eco-cycle Gaibandha project, supported by VSO, she learned to transform discarded plastic and other materials into decorative household items. Today, she creates and sells flower vases, wall hangings and wind chimes online, earning around BDT 5,000–6,000 per month and contributing to her family. The experience has strengthened her confidence and inspired her to help other women pursue financial independence while promoting recycling and reuse.

“Thanks to VSO, I found the courage to believe in myself and turn my dreams into reality.” – Sadiya

VSO (BANGLADESH)

Recognized for Ability, Not Disability

Living with a physical disability, Ranjan Deb Nath often faced assumptions about what he could achieve. As an Assistant Accountant at Srijonshil Gahanda, he was initially hesitant to participate in field activities and community engagement. Through the Climate Grant initiative supported by VSO, he received training in climate awareness, financial management, communication and community engagement, along with mentoring. He gradually became more active in community visits, monitoring, reporting and financial documentation, building confidence in his ability to contribute at work and in his community.

“The training helped me learn many new things, but most importantly, it gave me confidence. Now I feel stronger and more capable of contributing to my community and workplace.” – Ranjan

VSO (BANGLADESH)

National Inception Workshop on National Youth Policy 2017 Revision

The National Inception Workshop on revising Bangladesh’s National Youth Policy 2017 was held on 14 July 2026 in Dhaka, convened by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, with support from VSO Bangladesh, British Council, ActionAid and UNFPA Bangladesh. The workshop brought together 186 participants from government, development organisations, civil society and youth groups to review 22 policy areas and identify implementation gaps.

Key priorities included stronger youth participation, skills and employment, digital and AI literacy, green jobs and climate adaptation, mental health and SRHR services, inclusion of marginalised youth, and support for youth-led organisations. The findings will inform nationwide consultations and the drafting of the revised policy.

We hope you enjoyed this edition. Thanks to all those who submitted their stories. We look forward to hearing from more of you for our forthcoming issues.