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Compiled by Ms. Purnima Joshi
The continent of Asia, where more than half of the world's population resides, consumes over 40 per cent of global energy while releasing over half of global carbon emissions as of 2020. And this is in a situation where climate change is a global threat and energy consumption is the main source of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. Also, a recent report indicates that increased global temperatures caused by the emission of greenhouse gases could lead to a two-fold increase in crop pests and disease in China by the end of the century.
Elsewhere, Vietnam, a country most vulnerable to climate change, has been exerting efforts to minimize adverse impacts of the phenomenon and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and in a South Asian first, Mumbai has announced plans to go net-zero by 2050, twenty years ahead of India’s current targets. UN women’s deputy regional director called on Asian countries to have more women engaged in leadership and policymaking focused on climate change.
There’s lots more on this topic that continues to pose increasing global threat and hamper lives, so Happy Reading…
FOOD & AGRICULTURE
Asian farmers turn to drones, apps for labour, climate challenges
AsianInvestor, 8 Mar 2022
As a child, Manit Boonkhiew watched his grandparents plough their rice farm near Bangkok with water buffaloes, and harvest by hand. His parents switched to tractors and threshers, while he now uses a zippy drone to spray pesticide in his field. Read further...
Is food insecurity a looming eventuality in China’s future?
GlobalRiskInsights.com, 11 Mar 2022
A recent study carried out by researchers at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found that increased global temperatures caused by the emission of greenhouse gases could lead to a two-fold increase in crop pests and disease in China by
the end of the century. Read further ...
GOVERNANCE
Mumbai To Go Net-Zero: ‘We Don’t Have The Luxury Of Time’
GreenQueen, 15 Mar 2022
In a South Asian first, Mumbai has announced plans to go net-zero by 2050, twenty years ahead of India’s current targets.
Duterte appoints chief of presidential protocol to lead Climate Change Commission
Rappler.com, 14 Mar 2022
Robert Borje, a diplomat and Malacañang official, is appointed to a post that requires at least a decade of experience in climate change. Read further...
Climate action needs more female leaders in Asia, UN Women specialist says
South China Morning Post, 13 Mar 2022
Sarah Knibbs, UN women’s deputy regional director, called on Asian countries to have more women engaged in leadership and policymaking focused on climate change. She said that there are “concerning trends and backlash on women rights”, noting that
advocating for women and girls’ rights in Afghanistan and Myanmar
remain a priority. Read further...
ENVIRONMENT
A just green transition for India demands international support
EastAsiaForum, 12 Mar 2022
India made headlines at the COP26 summit in November 2021 after it announced net-zero targets by 2070 on the first day but intervened to water down the Glasgow Climate Pact on the final day. Read further ...
Australian zero carbon exports could slash emissions across Asia and Pacific
Reneweconomy.com.au, 17 Mar 2022
Australia has the potential to drive significant emissions reductions across the Asia Pacific region – by as much as four times its own emissions – by decarbonising Australia’s major export industries, new research has found. Read further ...
Australian court overturns ruling requiring mine approvals to weigh climate harm
Reuters.com, 15 Mar 2022
An Australian court on Tuesday overturned a groundbreaking ruling from last year that required the country's environment minister to consider harm to children from climate change as part of the approval process for a coal mine. Read further ...
Vietnam calls for implementation of climate finance commitments
AsiaNewsNetwork, 19 Mar 2022
As one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, Vietnam has been exerting efforts to minimise adverse impacts of the phenomenon and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050
Climate change is killing coral reefs, loss will impact 4.5 mn fishers in SE Asia: IPCC report
CNBCTV, 9 Mar 2022
Among the countless disastrous consequences of climate change will be the degradation and loss of coral reefs, which will affect about 4.5 million people in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, said a report. Read further ...
UN: Climate change to uproot millions, especially in Asia
duniyanews.tv, 9 Mar 2022
The walls of Saifullah’s home in northern Jakarta are lined like tree rings, marking how high the floodwaters have reached each year — some more than 4 feet from the damp dirt floor.
ENERGY
Electricity grids may trip Southeast Asia renewables drive without government intervention
Eco-Business, 9 Mar 2022
Flexible transmission infrastructure is an important enabler in getting solar and wind power to work, but it has often been overlooked. Southeast Asia needs to start planning for better grids to bolster its renewables ambition, according to a new
report by Black & Veatch. Read further ...
To really address climate change, Australia could make 27 times as much electricity and make it renewable
The Conversation, 17 Mar 2022
Australia’s electricity system is on the road to becoming 100% renewable as coal-fired power stations close and wind and solar takes their place. Read further ...
Financing the energy transition in Asia
The Business Times, 12 Mar 2022
CLIMATE change is a global threat and energy consumption is the main source of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. Read further ...
FINANCE
Investing in a greener future: How asset owners in Asia are raising the stakes to combat climate change
AsianInvestor, 14 Mar 2022
Driven by a desire to create robust portfolios that also make a positive impact, investors are issuing more mandates and steering greater allocations towards assets that help tackle climate-related issues. Read further ...
SPORTS
Paralympians fear for future of winter sports as climate change takes hold
ChannelNewsAsia, 12 Mar 2022
As Winter Paralympians prepare to return home from Beijing, many fear the effects of climate change in their countries and how a lack of snowfall could inhibit training for the Milano-Cortina Games in 2026. Read further ...
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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