Guiding Climate Change Risk Reduction in the Asia-Pacific Subregion – Global Issues
BANGKOK, Thailand, Dec 23 (IPS) – In December 2024, Vanuatu received yet another sad reminder of its vulnerability to disasters – a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Pacific nation’s capital, Port Vila, killing 14 and injuring more than -200, and thousands. very affected.
The devastating earthquake, combined with overnight aftershocks and the disruption of essential services, highlights the critical situation countries are already facing as they face the effects of climate change and natural disasters.
Vanuatu is emblematic of the ongoing disasters that Pacific Island nations continue to endure, where frequent earthquakes combine with the increasing impacts of climate-related hazards such as hurricanes, sea level rise, and coastal erosion with dramatic losses and damage to vulnerable people and the environment. .
With every phase of warming, various regions of the region—from the snowy peaks of the Third Pole to the low-lying islands of the Pacific—are experiencing unprecedented climate risks.
Recognizing these unique challenges, ESCAP launched the 2024 Asia-Pacific Subregional Disaster Reports to customize the information and recommendations from the flagship Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2023 to address the different risks and opportunities within each region.
Transforming ideas: Shaping a climate-resilient future
Regional reports for 2024 reveal increasing risks of disasters across Asia and the Pacific, stressing that incremental measures are insufficient against the impacts of extreme weather. East and Northeast Asia faced 2 trillion in economic losses and almost half a million deaths in fifty years, while a warming of 2 ° C is expected to exacerbate droughts, heat waves, and floods in China, Mongolia and Korea, threatening institutions urban and critical systems. .
North and Central Asia faces many growing risks in the Aral Sea Basin, where droughts, heat waves, and floods will threaten agricultural and energy systems. In Southeast Asia, nearly 100 percent of the population is at risk of flooding under 2°C warming, with the Mekong River Basin emerging as the most vulnerable area.
Pacific island nations face rising seas and powerful storms that destroy coastlines, threaten biodiversity, and force communities to relocate, while South and South-West Asia faces melting ice from the Third Pole, threatening water security for billions of people which are 1.3.
Economic and social costs are increasing, and the average annual loss (AAL) is expected to increase under warming conditions. East and Northeast Asia’s AAL of $510 billion could increase under 2°C warming, while the Pacific’s AAL exceeds $20 billion, and small island developing states such as Vanuatu and Tonga suffer losses of more than 21 of GDP.
Despite these dire projections, the reports emphasize that investments in adaptation—such as early warning systems, robust infrastructure, and integrated climate policies—can reduce risks and protect livelihoods across the region.
Early warning systems: A lifeline for resilience
A key takeaway from the regional reports is the dynamic role of early warning systems (EWS) in disaster mitigation. By providing timely and actionable information, these programs save lives and reduce economic losses. In Southeast Asia, an effective EWS could prevent $8.7 billion to $13.1 billion annually, while in the Pacific, it could avoid $4 billion to $6 billion in damages each year.
EWS is especially important in regions with complex multi-hazards, such as small island developing countries in the Pacific, where storms, floods, and sea level rise converge, and Southeast Asia, where urban flood risks are increasing rapidly.
For an EWS to be fully effective, it must include four key pillars: risk information, detection and monitoring, warning distribution, and preparedness. Investment in these areas, combined with strong regional cooperation, can ensure that warnings reach the most vulnerable people in time for action.
The reports highlight examples such as impact-based forecasting in South and Southwest Asia and AI-enabled risk assessment in China and Japan as revolutionary developments in EWS implementation. These programs not only save lives but also help governments and communities reduce disaster relief costs and protect economic stability.
Transboundary solutions: Collaborative action for shared risks
Transboundary hazards such as ocean-based hazards, inland water stress, and desertification require collaborative solutions across regions.
1. Ocean-Based Climate Action:
Rising sea levels, storm surges, and coastal erosion require concerted efforts such as mangrove restoration and integrated coastal management. In the Pacific SIDS, ASEAN, and South-West Asia, platforms such as the Pacific Resilience Partnership and the Mekong Basin initiatives promote nature-based solutions to protect the environment and livelihoods.
2. Inland Water Systems:
The drying up of the Aral Sea Basin in North and Central Asia highlights the importance of transboundary water sharing agreements to combat drought and degradation. For the Third Pole to melt, cooperation through the Third Pole Climate Forum is essential to protect water security for 1.3 billion people in South, South-West, and East Asia.
3. Desertification and Sand and Dust Storms:
Desertification and sand and dust storms (SDS) are increasing across Asia. Countries like China, Mongolia, and Iran are promoting deforestation and land reclamation, while regional bodies are promoting sustainable land management to reduce downstream impacts.
By prioritizing international cooperation, countries can address shared risks, protect vulnerable communities, and build sustainable solutions.
A change request
The 2024 regional reports make it unequivocally clear: change, not expansion, of adaptation is needed to combat the growing threats of climate change and disasters. This means mainstreaming climate resilience across sectors—agriculture, energy, urban planning, and biodiversity conservation—while promoting regional cooperation to address transboundary risks.
By aligning local action with global frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Paris Agreement, the Asia-Pacific region has the opportunity to lead the way in building a sustainable and resilient future. As ESCAP’s regional reports show, tools and knowledge are at hand. The time to act is now—before the risks become irreversible and the costs unmanageable.
Madhurima Sarkar-Swaisgood is the economic affairs officer, ESCAP & Sanjay Srivastava He is the Chief of Disaster Risk Reduction Section, ESCAP. Other co-authors include Leila Salarpour Goodarzi, Associate Economic Affairs Officer, ESCAP, Rusali Agrawal, Consultant, ESCAP, Naina Tanwar, Consultant, ESCAP, Madhurima Sarkar-Swaisgood, Economic Affairs Officer, ESCAP and Sanjay Srivastava, Chief of Disaster Risk Reduction, ESCAP.
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© Inter Press Service (2024) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
