.png)
Compiled by Purnima Joshi.
While the economic boom in the Asia-Pacific region has lifted many out of poverty, it has also caused significant environmental degradation. The challenge has always been to maintain and build on the growth of the past two decades, but in a more sustainable way. The increasing threats to the region’s development posed by natural hazards and climate change has seen growing action to strengthen climate and disaster resilience in the region. Many governments and corporates have stepped up to face the challenge head on through initiatives such as transitioning to a low-carbon economy, supporting innovation in green technology, green policies, with civil society keeping up the pressure through environmental movements. Read on to find out more about the last week’s news on climate change in the Asia-Pacific region.
Happy Reading!
FINANCE
Climate transition pathways established to help move to low-carbon economy
Asia Insurance Review; Jun 2021
Willis Towers Watson (WTW) has launched Climate Transition Pathways (CTP), an accreditation framework that provides insurance companies and financial institutions with a consistent approach to identify which organisations have robust transition plans aligned to the Paris Agreement
Toyota rebrands investment arm; adds fund focused on controlling climate change
Deal Street Asia, 3 Jun 2021
Toyota Motor Corp is rebranding its corporate investment arm as Toyota Venture and adding two early stage funds, including one focused on investing in startups developing solutions for climate change and carbon neutrality.
Stewardship in Asia, a source and a victim of climate change
Investors Corner, 7 Jun 2021
Asia is a major contributor to climate change and is quite exposed to phenomena such as droughts and floods. Therefore engaging with companies and working with the authorities in the region is all the more important for investors such as BNP Paribas Asset Management.
ENVIRONMENT
Global warming caused over a third of heat-related deaths between 1991 and 2018: Study
Down to Earth, 2 June 2021
The highest percentage of heat-related deaths caused by human-induced climate change (more than 50%) were in Iran, Kuwait, the Philippines, Thailand, etc
More cyclones than usual forecast for east Asia by September
Reuters, 4 Jun 2021
Half of the roughly 20 tropical cyclones expected to form in the western Pacific Ocean through September this year are predicted to hit land in east Asian nations, forecasters said on Friday, making for a season that is busier than usual.
New Emissions Trading Scheme will help to reduce air pollution in India
AirQualityNews.com, 8 Jun 2021
The government of Punjab, India, is launching a new Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to tackle industrial air pollution.
ENERGY
‘South-Asia New Energy Series’ to discuss renewable energy and hydrogen in India
H2 View, 4 Jun 2021
FTI Consulting and the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) have launched the ‘South-Asia New Energy Series’, a collection of stakeholder consultations that will focus on renewable energy – including hydrogen – in India
Ethanol has become major priority of 21st century India: PM Narendra Modi
Gulf News, 5 Jun 2021
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said ethanol has become one of the major priorities of 21st century India and the country has taken a big step towards the sector.
AGRICULTURE
Tea prices could spike as climate change makes India’s monsoon season even more severe
studyfinds.org, 5th June 2021
If you can’t start the day without some English breakfast tea and can’t end the day with a relaxing cup of chamomile, bad news may be on the horizon. The price of a cup of tea could soar as climate change makes India’s monsoon season even more severe, warns a new study
.
GRAPE to foster climate resilience and green economic growth in Nepal
My Republica, 9 Jun 2021
On the occasion of the World Environment Day, the European Union (EU), the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (MFA) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) announced the launch of a new development cooperation project - “Green Resilient Agricultural Productive Ecosystems (GRAPE) in Nepal
OPINION
Commentary: Trying to live more sustainably? It’s impossible to make a difference alone
ChannelNewsAsia, 6 Jun 2021
In combating climate change, our individual efforts are statistically insignificant – especially when compared to what businesses and government can achieve, says climate activist Ho Xiang Tian.
TOURISM
In India's paradise islands, anger flares over government's tourism plans
Straits Times, 8 Jun 2021
With palm-fringed beaches, turquoise seas and coral reefs, it is easy to see the appeal of India's Lakshadweep islands. But as the government pushes plans to develop the remote archipelago as a tourist hub, some islanders fear they could lose everything.
Climate change: Is ecoguilt changing the way we travel?
Social Story, 27 May 2021
Humans have long been driven by a desire to explore the planet and visit faraway places. But with tourism's toll on the environment now calling our globetrotting habits into question, some say - it's time for change.
CO-OPERATION
MD & CEO of Dalmia Cement joins Feike Sijbesma as Carbon Pricing Champion of the CLPC
World Cement, 8 Jun 2021
Mahendra Singhi, Managing Director & CEO of Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited has been invited to represent the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition as Carbon Pricing Champion. CPLC is a global coalition promoted by the World Bank Group.
Getting to the Net Zero Olympics: Asia News Network contributor
The Straits Times, 7 Jun 2021
The writer says that the current race to the top on climate action between the US and China is the best thing that can happen for the planet…. With China, Russia and all of G20 emerging markets aboard, this was a sign that enemies and rivals can cooperate where it is important for mankind.
INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT
Uttarakhand first state in country to introduce Gross Environment Product (GEP) ..
Times of India, 7 Jun 2021
India’s Uttarakhand is set to become the first state in the country to assign monetary value to four of its critical natural resources - air, water, forest and soil,
The Indian women at the forefront of the country’s environmental movement
South China Morning Post, 5 Jun 2021
Activists like teenager Ridhima Pandey regularly find themselves at odds with the government as well as powerful corporate lobbies
Indian women often manage natural resources at the family and community levels, underlining their role in environmental protection
FORTHCOMING EVENTS TO REGISTER :
Thu, Jul 22 | Online webinar
Directors' Duties and Climate Change
Part IV of CGM's Primers on Climate Governance
ADDITIONAL READS
Pakistan determined to battle climate change for future generations
The News, 9 Jun 2021
Read further ...
BOJ's Kuroda says central banks should avoid one-size-fits-all climate standards
Reuters, 4 Jun 2021
More than one-third of heat deaths blamed on climate change
Nature, 4 Jun 2021
How climate change impacts sanitation in poor countries
PreventionWeb, 4 Jun 2021
India’s coastal cities need to brace up for super cyclones
Hindu Business Line, 6 Jun 2021
ADB, China Everbright Environment form Strategic Partnership for Ocean Health in Asia
IndiaEducationDiary.in, 7 Jun 2021
Black carbon deposits melting glaciers in HKHK region spread over five South Asian nations and China
Indiablooms.com, 7 Jun 2021
Ex-Petronas CEO removed from ExxonMobil’s board after activist coup
EnergyVoice, 3 Jun 2021
World Environment Day: These entrepreneurs are leading the way with their recycling businesses
yourstory.com, 5 Jun 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.