Compiled by Purnima Joshi
The Glasgow Climate Pact signed last month at the UN climate change conference (COP26) will accelerate the shift from coal to a more sustainable energy supply in Asia, in the lead is Indonesia who signed a pair of agreements with Denmark that aim to boost the large Asian nation’s green and sustainable development goals. Also, a recent report called for Australia to reimagine its strong relations with Japan beyond just regional security and trade, as climate change together with China's assertiveness rock global structures.
As developing countries in Asia make up more than half the global population and contribute about a quarter of the world’s economy, it is no surprise that the region is expected to drive the lion’s share of global energy demand growth in the next decade. Amidst this news, Philippines announced it will share the inroads it has made in translating theories on addressing climate change into actionable projects on the ground with other ASEAN peers to help accelerate adaptation and mitigation efforts meant to avert catastrophic global heating.
In the corporate sector and closer to home here in Malaysia, Shell breaks ground on Asia's largest plastic waste to chemical feedstock plant.
And there’s more in this edition, so Happy Reading!
ENVIRONMENT
Five sustainable cooling solutions that can help South Asia deal with global warming
ScrollIn, 20 Nov 2021
From painting roofs to geothermal air conditioning systems, these tools can help address the growing problem of heat stress.
With La Niña conditions returning, is it good news for tropical forests?
Eco-Business, 23 Nov 2021
Although the current conditions emerge toward the end of the fire season in the Amazon and Indonesia, experts say these biomes will benefit from wet conditions conducive to forest and peatland growth and recovery.
It’s Sink Or Swim For Asia Pacific’s Big Cities In War On Climate Change – Analysis
Eurasia Review, 24 Nov 2021
At the end of October 2021, in one of the biggest annual climate gatherings, COP26 aimed to secure global net-zero emissions by mid-century.
Building owners, tenants, regulators must come together to reduce carbon footprint
Business Times, 24 Nov 2021
RUSHABH Desai, Asia-Pacific chief executive officer (CEO) of Allianz Real Estate, sees opportunities for asset owners to set the climate change agenda in the real estate industry.
PACIFIC REGION
Climate change, China tensions call for stronger Japan-Australia ties: report
The Canberra Times, 21 Nov 2021
A new report has called for Australia to reimagine its strong relations with Japan beyond just regional security and trade, as climate change and China's assertiveness rock global structures.
SOUTH-EAST ASIA
PH to lead ASEAN climate change ambition
Manila Bulletin, 23 Nov 2021
The Philippines will share the inroads it has made in translating theories on addressing climate change into actionable projects on the ground with other ASEAN peers to help accelerate adaptation and mitigation efforts meant to avert catastrophic global heating. Read further ...
Indonesia, Denmark sign agreements boosting green economy
Borneo Bulletin, 24 Nov 2021
Denmark and Indonesia signed on Monday a pair of agreements that aim to boost the large Asian nation’s green and sustainable development goals.
FINANCE & GOVERNANCE
Climate risks: Investment capital needed to protect global economy
Asia Insurance Review, 24 Nov 2021
Resilience to severe climate impacts will only be possible when existing systemic market failures are addressed according to a new report Risk & Resilience by Coalition for Climate Resilient Investment (CCRI).
COP26 underscores insurance industry's role in tackling climate change
Insurance Business Asia, 20 Nov 2021
Almost 200 countries have agreed to the Glasgow Climate Pact at this year's COP26 climate summit – and, of course, the insurance industry is one of the industries committed to addressing climate change.
Anticipatory climate governance in Southeast Asia
ReliefWeb, 22 Nov 2021
Anticipating the possible impacts of climate change has become a key global focus. Scenarios and many other methods and tools are used today to imagine climate futures and develop strategies for realizing new futures while governing climate change.
Asia outlook 2022: Investing in a climate of change
Asian Investor, 24 Nov 2021
Over the next 12 months, investors in Asia will likely contend with a fast-moving investment landscape shaped by China’s increasing focus on sustainability alongside the tenor of macroeconomic policies...
CORPORATES
Shell breaks ground on Asia's largest plastic waste to chemical feedstock plant
The Straits Times, 23 Nov 2021
Shell broke ground on Tuesday (Nov 23) on a new plant on Pulau Bukom that will turn hard-to-recycle plastic waste into a feedstock chemical that can be used to make everyday products, from tyres to mattresses.
FOOD
How researchers at UC Davis developed a new strain of rice to help farmers in Southeast Asia
wbur.org, 24 Nov 2021
Climate change is impacting a small but mighty and important grain — rice.
Global rice production will likely be hit by the devastating effects of climate change as early as 2030, according to a recent NASA study.
ENERGY
How Asia can surpass the West in its transition to green energy
South China Morning Post, 25 Nov 2021
Developing countries in Asia make up more than half the global population and contribute about a quarter of the world’s economy, so it is no surprise that the region is expected to drive the lion’s share of global energy demand growth in the next decade.
COP26
COP26 outcome influenced by short-term pressures
The Straits Times, 23 Nov 2021
Short-term pressures on governments to speed up economic recoveries weighed on the outcome of COP26, the Glasgow summit on climate change, said the World Bank's vice-president for East Asia and the Pacific Manuela Ferro.
UN climate pact to accelerate shift from coal in Asia
capital.com, 23 Nov 2021
The Glasgow Climate Pact signed at last month’s UN climate change conference (COP26) will accelerate the shift from coal to a more sustainable energy supply in Asia.
ADDITIONAL READS
Koalas face 'death by a thousand cuts' as climate change and urbanisation threaten Australian state
SkyNews, 22 Nov 2021
Climate Change through the Lens of Bangladesh
Daily News, 24 Nov 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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