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Compiled by Purnima Joshi
Climate change continues to tighten the noose on humanity, posing the biggest ever existential threat to life on earth, with only a small percentage of the world’s population having remained as yet untouched. Surprisingly, one measure that so far remains grossly under-tapped is the transformative role that education can play in mitigating climate change. Even scientists skeptical about its feasibility agree that without carbon dioxide removal (CDR) - or "negative emission" - it will be very difficult to meet the Paris Agreement goal of capping global warming below two degrees Celsius.
On another front, Asia's addiction to fossil fuel continues and is threatening climate targets, and one of Australia’s largest coal miners is planning to raise $1 billion (US$740 billion) through the sale of bonds in China and Asia amid increasing financial pressures locally. Elsewhere, the Asian Development Bank pledged to elevate climate financing by US$20 billion to US$100 billion by 2030. And there's more...
Happy Reading!
FINANCE
ADB to increase climate finance to US$100 billion
Eco-Business, 15 Oct 2021
The Asian Development Bank has pledged to elevate climate financing by US$20 billion to US$100 billion by 2030. But the UN's António Guterres said that "much more is needed" as development banks have a crucial role to play in the world's low-carbon transition.
FOOD
Meat : only on Mondays
Eco-Business, 18 Oct 2021
Meat and diary production are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. The message from scientists is clear - we need to rethink what we put on our plates.
Has the spring sprung for China’s crop biodiversity?
China Dialogue, 15 Oct 2021
Maintaining crop genetic diversity needs the involvement of farming communities, and a system for sharing the benefits with them
ENVIRONMENT
Climate change may already affect 85 percent of humanity
Al Jazeera, 11 Oct 2021
Climate change could already be affecting 85 percent of the world’s population, an analysis of tens of thousands of scientific studies found.
Climate: Removing CO2 from the air no longer optional
The Economic Times, 19 Oct 2021
Even scientists sceptical about its feasibility agree that without carbon dioxide removal (CDR) -- aka "negative emission" -- it will be very difficult to meet the Paris Agreement goal of capping global warming below two degrees Celsius.
Education can catalyze climate action
China Daily, 19 Oct 2021
Climate change poses the biggest existential threat to humanity. As world leaders prepare to renew their pledge to combat the crisis amid increasingly frequent natural hazards and the raging pandemic, one measure that so far remains grossly under-tapped is the transformative role that education can play in mitigating climate change.
CARBON
South Korea commits to 'challenging goal' of cutting emissions to 40% of 2018 levels by 2030
Channel News Asia, 18 Oct 2021
South Korea on Monday (Oct 18) officially committed to reducing national carbon emissions by 40 per cent of 2018 levels by 2030 ahead of the upcoming United Nations COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, a "very challenging target"
compared to an initial 26.3 per cent goal.
REPORTS
Asia School of Business : Are you ready for the Climate Change (D) Economy
Bernama, 18 Oct 2021
With the most to lose from climate change (up to $4.7 trillion in GDP according to the recent McKinsey Analysis), Asia is on the frontline of the climate crisis.
AUSTRALIA
Australian Coal Giant Pivots to Asia as Climate Activism Strangles Domestic Funding
The Epoch Times, 18 Oct 2021
One of Australia’s largest coal miners is planning to raise $1 billion (US$740 million) through the sale of bonds in China and Asia amid increasing financial pressures locally due to climate change activism.
‘Utterly his own right’ for Scott Morrison to commit to net zero, Barnaby Joyce says
Guardian, 19 Oct 2021
Barnaby Joyce has acknowledged that Scott Morrison can commit Australia to a new net zero target without the endorsement of the Nationals’ party room.
COAL
Asia Is Struggling To Kick Its Coal Addiction
The Asean Post, 20 Oct 2021
Smokestacks belch noxious fumes into the air from a massive coal-fired power plant on the Indonesian coast, a stark illustration of Asia's addiction to the fossil fuel which is threatening climate targets.
INDUSTRY
Watch CNBC’s Sustainable Future Forum Asia: Industry Response
CNBC, 20 Oct 2021
It’s time to talk targets and check the promises that companies set. Are the gals achievable and what should happen if they ae missed?
ADDITIONAL READS
What developing countries need to reach net zero
Eco-Business, 19 Oct 2021
Maldives calls for rapid and immediate action to fight climate change
CNBC, 18 Oct 2021
More than 99.9% of studies agree: Humans caused climate change
Cornell Chronicle, 19 Oct 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.
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