.png)
Compiled by Purnima Joshi
In China, some sign of life emerged this week in the form of an unusual cross-border deal for a voluntary form of carbon emission credits even as trading on China's national carbon market dwindled away in its first month to next to nothing. Recent research also showed that China announced scores of new carbon-intensive coal and steel projects in the first half of 2021, despite key UN reports urging immediate global action to curb use of fossil fuels and prevent runaway climate change. Meanwhile, alarm bells continue to buzz as the Sixth Assessment report by the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) appraising the climate change situation globally warned that the global surface temperature will continue to rise until at least the mid-century under all emissions scenarios considered.
In other news highlights across the region, while climate change is making everyone restless, youth across Southeast Asia are finding innovative solutions; devastating summer floods in the populous province of Henan in central China are a wake-up call for local authorities to seek better insurance cover against natural disasters, given its location, embrace of green technologies, and reputation for transparency, Singapore could offer a stable foundation for a global carbon market. And there’s more.
Happy Reading!
CHINA
China's carbon market records its first cross-border deal
Nikkei Asia, 13 Aug 2021
Even as trading on China's national carbon market dwindled away in its first month to next to nothing, one sign of life emerged this week in the form of an unusual cross-border deal for a voluntary form of carbon emission credits.
Analysis: Extreme weather sounds alarm for under-insured China
Reuters, 12 Aug 2021
Devastating summer floods in the populous province of Henan in central China are a wake-up call for local authorities to seek better insurance cover against natural disasters, potentially opening up a huge market for insurers in the country.
China cranks up carbon-intensive projects as climate crisis grows, research shows
Yahoo!News | Reuters, 13 Aug 2021
China announced scores of new carbon-intensive coal and steel projects in the first half of 2021, research showed on Friday just days after a key UN report urged immediate global action to curb use of fossil fuels and prevent runaway climate change.
INDIA
Eco Anxiety: Not just the young, climate change is making everyone restless
Mid-Day, 17 Aug 2021
There is no escaping climate change and its catastrophes. Mumbaikars have been navigating, coping, and fighting in the face of eco anxiety, annually flooding houses, existential dread and alarmist headlines.
Lightning strikes in India linked to climate change
Rfi.fr, 15 Aug 2021
Lightning strikes killed at least 74 people across the Indian states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh on 11 July this year. Of these, 41 were reported from northern Uttar Pradesh.
ENERGY
The future of electric cars in the Philippines: Inquirer columnist
The Straits Times, 12 Aug 2021
Last year, the Covid-19 pandemic depressed global car sales by 16 per cent, and yet electric car registrations actually jumped 41 per cent, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Column: Asia coal demand surge in stark contrast with U.N. climate warning
Reuters, 12 Aug 2021
The latest U.N. report makes it clear that coal must exit global energy systems if there is to be any chance of avoiding severe climate disruptions.
As global report warns of climate catastrophe, visiting envoy says Lanka’s future lies in renewable energy
The Sunday Times, 15 Aug 2021
The Sixth Assessment report by the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) appraising the climate change situation globally has warned that the global surface temperature will continue to rise until at least the mid-century under all emissions scenarios considered.
SOUTH-EAST ASIA
Singapore’s Climate Impact X : A viable solution for decarbonization
The Diplomat, 12 Aug 2021
Given its location, embrace of green technologies, and reputation for transparency, Singapore could offer a stable foundation for a global carbon market.
As scientists signal ‘code red for humanity’, Indonesia’s climate change targets still lack ambition: Experts
ChannelNewsAsia, 13 Aug 2021
Despite bringing forward its net zero emissions target by a decade to 2060, experts say Indonesia has missed an opportunity to upgrade its climate change ambitions ahead of critical global talks and amid dire warnings from top scientists about drastic temperature rise.
Youth not ignoring climate change
Bangkok Post, 13 Aug 2021
Climate change is all too real. For everyone and particularly young people it can seem overpowering. But there are solutions. Youth across Southeast Asia are finding innovative solutions.
Tech Initiatives for Net-Zero Carbon in the Philippines
Opengovasia.com, 17 Aug 2021
Countries all over the world are laying out plans and setting various targets to help make the world a more sustainable place by 2050. Some of these plans and goals are lofty, but with the advancement of new technological developments, they now have the potential to become a reality
Southeast Asia pins hopes on carbon capture to cut emissions
Eco Business, 18 Aug 2021
Carbon capture is seen as essential if energy-hungry Southeast Asia is to reach climate goals. But critics maintain that the technology remains unproven and may never deliver the deep emissions reductions needed.
CORPORATE
Asian finance sector lacking sustainability leaders: study
Eco Business, 16 Aug 2021
Consumers in Asia Pacific believe that financial services brands are not supporting sustainable development in emerging markets, and are less trustworthy than tech or car brands, a BBC study suggests.
ENVIRONMENT
Global warming: the situation is worse than believed
Express Tribune, 16 Aug 2021
This has been an unusual summer for many parts of the world. High temperatures and droughts have affected most of the American west.
Climate change: Hong Kong must set clear targets, timelines before it becomes too late to avoid weather disaster, experts warn
South China Morning Post, 18 Aug 2021
Humanity’s need to tackle climate change is more pressing than ever, with the United Nations warning last week that the pace of global warming would accelerate at a faster-than-expected pace over the next 20 years
ADDITIONAL READS
Global water crisis will intensify with climate breakdown, says report
The Guardian, 17 Aug 2021
The state of India’s urban wetlands and why they need to be protected urgently
Down to Earth, 13 Aug 2021
July was Earth's hottest month on record, NOAA says
NBCNews, 13 Aug 2021
View here ...
Climate crisis a humanitarian crisis for women and girls in particular — Björn Andersson
Malay Mail, 17 Aug 2021
UPL CEO Jai Shroff Highlights Tech in Sustainable Agriculture Amid Growing Climate Change Threats
AsiaSociety.org, 13 Aug 2021
Video Link : View here
City Buzz: Climate change could submerge 12 coastal cities
CitizenMatters, 15 Aug 2021
CGM's Asia-Pacific Climate Digest is compiled by communications consultant Purnima Joshi.
With over two decades of experience in corporate communications, Purnima combines her skills in creative and communication along with her passion for working for the community.
She has worked on a multitude of projects in waste management, circular economy, building active citizenship in the community, some of which have won awards.
These also include a project on building climate resilience for UNICEF as well as some award-winning projects. She has been associated with several NGOs in an advisory capacity for over 10 years.
Comments