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Compiled by Purnima Joshi
The Asia-Pacific region is slowly coming around to accepting the inevitability of extreme weather events due to climate change. And some action is afoot in different sectors and businesses towards sustainable development and green business.
COP26 may have had climate deniers but it certainly did get Asian companies in global supply chains, IT and banking sectors to seek to lower their carbon footprint. Singapore, Thailand, and the rest of the region, are seeking for governments and businesses to work together in the post pandemic future with emphasis on ESG practices to tackle climate change. Though as of now, the path towards net zero is quite unclear.
COP26 may have had most countries make climate commitments but who will judge their climate plans remains a rhetorical question!
For this and more stories and weekly updates on climate change in the region, do subscribe to the Asia-Pacific Climate Digest. And do let us know what you would like to read? Do you like the format? We would love to hear from you.
POST COP26
More companies in Asia seek carbon offsets after COP26, says industry exec
The Edge Markets, 10 Dec, 2021
Asia's demand for carbon offsets is picking up as more companies in global supply chains, IT and banking sectors seek to lower their carbon footprint, following the COP26 November Glasgow Climate Pact, the head of Asian exchange T-RECs.ai said
Path to net zero still unclear, say Aussie super funds
Asian Investor, 9 Dec, 2021
In the wake of COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference in November in Glasgow, UK, companies are starting to draw up short-term carbon emissions targets.
Who will be the judge of countries' climate plans?
Channel News Asia, 12 Dec 2021
Countries have until the end of next year to ensure their climate commitments meet the Paris agreement's cap on global warming. But who will check that their promises really do stack up?
SUSTAINABILITY IN BUSINESS
Industry Voice: Establishing a more sustainable Asia investment
Investment Week, 10 Dec, 2021
Fidelity Sustainable Asia Equity Fund portfolio managers Dhananjay Phadnis and Flora Wang review how the region is measuring up in today’s world where more emphasis is rightly being placed on sustainability practices.
Governments, businesses need to work together to tackle climate change: Lawrence Wong
Channel News Asia, 9 Dec 2021
Even as Singapore continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, it also needs to plan for a post-pandemic future where climate change will be a major challenge, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Thursday (Dec 9).
Adapt or else
Bangkok Post, 13 Dec 2021
Climate change is known to be an existential threat for humanity worldwide. Clear evidence of the challenge is the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, at a high cost to the global economy.
Companies Are Responding to Climate Change: What About Yours?
commonline.com, 17 Dec 2021
While the cleaning industry spent the last year focused on the pandemic, 2021 has also presented enormous environmental and weather-related challenges.
ASIA PACIFIC REGION
A new transport agenda to carry Asia-Pacific towards sustainable development
Eco-Business, 15 Dec 2021
Transport ministers from across Asia and the Pacific are meeting this week to consider a potentially transformational agenda for how people and goods are moved around the region and across the globe.
South Asia faces environmental watershed amid climate change: Experts
IBC World News, 16 Dec 2021
South Asian region is facing an environmental watershed from rising sea levels endangering the Maldives and melting of glaciers affecting Nepal and Afghanistan to overdevelopment that threatens Tibet’s vital ecosystem and destabilization caused by climate-induced migration.
INDIA AND CHINA
Commentary: Why India can't commit to phasing out coal just yet
Channel News Asia, 12 Dec 2021
India has come under heavy fire from climate activists for refusing to phase out coal in the Glasgow climate conference - and unjustifiably so, according to MP Shashi Tharoor.
India and China Can Quit Coal Earlier, But the World Must Work Alongside Them
The Diplomat, 9 Dec 2021
We need a much more ambitious global partnership on the phasing out of coal, one that thinks and acts beyond what is perceived as feasible today.
India votes against western nations-backed UNSC draft resolution on climate change
Wionews, 13 Dec 2021
India on Monday voted against United Nations Security Council's draft resolution which aimed to 'securitize' climate action undermining hard-won consensus in Glasgow.
Record figures in coal-fired power generation, with China and india in the lead
AsiaNews, 18 Dec 2021
According to the International Energy Agency, the global figure is set to rise by 9% this year, threatening climate change targets. Delhi had promised to reduce harmful emissions by 2070; Beijing by 2060: insufficient commitments, which remain words
on paper.
FOOD SECURITY
Transforming Asia's food system to tackle our food and climate crises
The Straits Times, 12 Dec 2021
The climate emergency could trigger a global food crisis. To prevent this, investors and companies are accelerating innovations to improve food security and sustainability while meeting changing consumer needs
GREEN FINANCE
Green finance: Sustainability-linked bonds boom as investors demand companies commit to fighting climate change
South China Morning Post, 12 Dec 2021
Borrowers have to set performance targets that carry a penalty in the form of higher coupon or interest rate if they are not met
Financial products linked to sustainability are the true test of a company’s green ambitions, says UBS
G20 SUMMIT
Indonesia and G-20 sees Jokowi on the world stage: Jakarta Post contributor
The Straits Times, 13 Dec 2021
The writer says the success of Indonesia hosting the G-20 summit will be linked to producing a comprehensive, sustainable plan to mitigate future outbreaks.
OPINION
Bangladesh, Others Welcome Climate Change Investment | Opinion
Newsweek, 14 Dec 2021
Bangladesh emits less than half of 1 percent of the world's carbon dioxide but is among the most vulnerable countries to climate change's impacts.
CLIMATE EDUCATION
New climate classes seek to teach Indian students green habits
Gulf News, 18 Dec 2021
Mumbai: Students in Maharashtra will start learning about worsening droughts, floods and storms on a hotter planet, and find out how to map and reduce their carbon footprint under the first climate-change school curriculum introduced by an Indian state.
CLIMATE DISASTER
Super Typhoon Rai: Dozens feared dead in Philippines
BBC News, 18 Dec 2021
More than 30 people are feared dead and many are missing after a devastating storm swept over the Philippines.
ADDITIONAL READS
Global warming of 3C could cost US$1.6 trillion a year in lost labour
Eco-Business, 15 Dec 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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