.png)
Compiled by Purnima Joshi
Asia Pacific comprises 60% of the world’s highest growing population, hence has expanding energy needs - in fact, the region consumes half the world’s energy supply, according to the UN. However, most APAC nations are still dependent on fossil fuels, although many are keen to transit to clean and renewable energy sources.
Among lead countries in the region, India is nowhere near ready to kick fossil fuels. As the country’s population continues to grow, and more and more Indians join the ranks of the middle class, the country’s energy demand is set to far outpace its renewable energy capacity. Based on recent work done and studies, the Indian Railways alone can offset around 7 million tons of carbon every year if it harnesses the energy from the sun. Not only that, it can also run one in four trains on the national network powered by solar energy and save in fuel cost. And on the other hand, China’s Belt Road Initiative (BRI) is a threat to climate change and is responsible for causing environmental degradation, as almost 90 percent of energy projects are carbon-intensive and operate on fossil fuel.
Among corporate initiatives, Lenovo announced its commitment to new goals in the areas of climate change mitigation, circular economy and sustainable materials. As part of its annual Environmental, Social and Governance Report, the company shared its ESG progress and outlined plans to leverage smarter technology to create a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
And there’s lots more rounded up from around the region. Happy Reading!
CHINA
China's BRI is a threat to climate change and environment: Report
ANINews, 6 Sept 2021
China’s Belt Road Initiative (BRI) is a threat to climate change and is responsible for causing environmental degradation as almost 90 percent of energy projects are carbon-ontensive and operate on fossil-fuel, a think tank has said.
China Feels Heat on Climate Change Goals
RadioFreeAsia, 3 Sept 2021
China's key industries are sending mixed signals on controlling carbon emissions as the government prepares to release new details of its climate change plans.
What to expect from China at the upcoming major climate summit COP26
cnbc.com, 6 Sept 2021
China, the world’s largest carbon emitter, has made commitments to climate change and set ambitious targets to reach carbon neutrality by 2060. But so far, details on how to get there have been scarce.
INDIA
Positive Actions To Make India 'Energy Independent' By 2047 Says Nirbhay Lumde
Outlook, 2 Sept 2021
Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India on the country's 75th Independence Day, announced to make India an Energy Independent nation by 2047, 100 years of independence.
How India can lead the shift from fast to green fashion
Mint Lounge, 4 Sept 2021
The global textile industry has seen unprecedented growth in the past few years, propelled by the demand for fast fashion. With mass production and low costs, fast fashion caters to consumers’ growing appetite for the latest trends, generating a lot of waste.
‘Mumbai’s infrastructure must be aligned to new climate realities’: Dr Anjal Prakash
The Indian Express, 6 Sept 2021
Dr Anjal Prakash, research director at Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, and lead author of the chapter on cities, settlements and key infrastructure of the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report and a cross chapter paper on
mountains, speaks on what the IPCC’s 2021 report means for
Mumbai and the city’s approach to climate change.
India Is Running Out Of Coal
Oilprice.com, 6 Sept 2021
Just a few weeks ago Oilprice reported that India is nowhere near ready to kick fossil fuels. As the country’s population continues to grow and more and more Indians join ranks of the
middle class, the country’s energy demand is set to far
outpace its renewable energy capacity. ice.com, 6 Sept 2021.
By switching on the sun, Railways can prevent 7mn tonnes of carbon emissions
Hindustan Times, 1 Sept 2021
The Indian Railways can offset around 7 million tonnes of carbon every year if it harnesses the energy from the sun. Not only that but it can also run one in four trains on the national network powered by solar energy and save in fuel costs to the
tune of ₹17,000 crore. Read further ...
SOUTH-EAST ASIA
In search of just transition within food systems in Asia
Jakarta Post, 5 Sept 2021
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC’s) recent release of the Sixth Assessment Report is ringing a serious alarm bell on the role of methane emissions in climate change.
Daily briefing: SEA may lose $28t for climate change inaction; Singapore asks Binance to stop operations
Singapore Business Review, 5 Sept 2021
Failure to respond to climate change may cost Southeast Asia some $28t in the next 50 years, Deloitte found. The report noted that if the region beefs up its climate action and reduce carbon emissions, it could gain some $12.5t and average 3.5% annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth
over the same period. Read further ...
To benefit the climate, Indonesia's electric vehicle push needs greener power
Reuters, 7Sept 2021
Indonesia has set its sights on becoming an EV hub for Asia, aiming to sell only electric cars and motorbikes by 2050 - but can it move away from fossil-fuel power and palm oil-based biodiesel faster?
FINANCE
Japan Proposes Mandatory Climate Risk Disclosures
RegulationAsia, 6 Sept 2021
FSA to replace the ‘comply or explain’ model to help tackle climate change and give investors more insight on leading companies.
TECHNOLOGY
Lenovo to leverage smart tech as it commits to climate change goals
DataCentre News, 7 Sept 2021
Lenovo has announced its commitment to new goals in the areas of climate change mitigation, circular economy and sustainable materials. As part of its annual Environmental, Social and Governance Report, the company shared its ESG progress and outlined plans to
leverage smarter technology to create a brighter, more
sustainable future for all. Read further ...
ENERGY
How Amazon deals with renewable energy issues in APAC
Techwire Asia, 7 Sept 2021
The Asia Pacific comprises 60% of the world’s highest growing population. With said increased growths come higher energy needs — in fact, consuming half the world’s energy supply, according to the UN. However, most APAC nations are still
dependent on fossil fuels, although many are keen to transition
to clean and renewable energy sources.
EVENTS
ADDITIONAL READS
PropertyGuru launches ‘Green Score’ to guide Singaporeans to sustainable homes
Macaubusiness.com, 6 Sept 2021
India to become first Asian country to launch a Plastics Pact
The Financial, 3 Sept 2021
Almost half of the world’s children live in dangerous climate conditions
Popular Science, 4 Sept 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.
Comments