.png)
Compiled by Purnima Joshi
As a consequence of climate change, floods, landslides, heatwaves, storms and wildfires continue to sweep different parts of the world with increasing frequency in 2021. This was something scientists had warned about the possibility of increasing intensity and frequency for more than three decades. Despite the urgent need to mitigate effects of climate change through curbing use of fossil fuels, Australia vowed last week to keep mining coal for export insisting that global demand was rising, and only a handful of Asian countries made firm commitments to achieve a net-zero carbon future.
Elsewhere however, on a positive note it was reported that India had made considerable progress after slowly moving away from coal use, and as incidents of drought and extreme rainfall increase, farmers in South Asia partner with experts to develop targeted weather forecasts to work around the threats.
And there’s lots more in this issue, so happy reading!
MARKET FOR COAL
Australia vows to keep mining coal despite climate warning
The Straits Times, 9 Sept 2021
Australia vowed on Thursday (Sept 9) to keep mining coal for export and said global demand was rising, rejecting a study that warned nearly all its reserves must stay in the ground to address the climate crisis.
INDUSTRY
America And Asia Pacific Climate Change Consulting Market Is Booming 2021-2027
Global Banking & Finance Review
The global climate change consulting market is currently driven by increasing concerns regarding carbon emissions. For instance, according to Energy Statistical Yearbook 2019, in 2018, carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. increased by 3.1%
compared to that in 2017.
ENERGY
China’s Gas Shortage Boosts Central Asia’s Role – Analysis
Eurasia Review, 15 Sept 2021
China’s growing demand for natural gas has been driving closer engagement with Turkmenistan, renewing questions about Russia’s role in Central Asia, once regarded as Moscow’s backyard.
FINANCE
ADB issues first blue bond for ocean investments in Asia Pacific region
The Business Standard, 15 Sept 2021
Blue bonds are debt instruments in which the proceeds are used to fund projects that benefit ocean health. They act by de-risking ocean projects and bringing new investors to the table.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
Indonesia ends deforestation pact with Norway, citing non-payment
The Straits Times, 11 Sept 2021
Indonesia has ended a deal with Norway on cooperation to reduce carbon emissions from deforestation, due to lack of payment, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
PHL climate activists join international call for equitable, inclusive climate summit
Business Mirror, 12, Sept 2021
Filipino environmental activists joined the call of civil society groups around the world for an inclusive climate summit amid the worsening Covid-19 pandemic.
Attacks on environmental defenders hit record numbers
Eco Business, 13 Sept 2021
In 2020, 227 land and environmental defenders were killed in 2020—an average of more than four a week. In Asia, the Philippines is the most dangerous country for environmental activists
Southeast Asian Farmers Adapt, Insure against Growing Climate Risks
Inter Press Service, 16 Sept 2021
As incidents of drought and extreme rainfall increase, farmers in Southeast Asia are partnering with experts to develop targeted weather forecasts to work around the threats and, when adaptation becomes too costly, buy specially designed insurance to protect their livelihoods.
INDIA
India's Climate Crisis: IPCC Forecasts Rise in Heatwaves, Glacier Melt, Ocean Warming, and Sea Levels
weather.com 10 Sept 2021
Floods, landslides, heat waves, storms and wildfires have been sweeping parts of the world way too frequently in 2021. Scientists have warned us about the possible increase in intensity and frequency of extreme weather events for more than three decades.
India, US must work on climate change to expand trade: Kerry
Mint, 14 Sept 2021
Kerry said the US looked forward to partnering India to bring finances and technology that would help Asia’s third largest economy transition from sources of energy like coal to greener options
India has Made Considerable Progress After Slowly Moving Away from Coal Use, Finds New Report
The Weather Channel, 14 Sept 2021
India alone is home to 7 per cent (21GW) of the global coal project pipeline, which is 56 per cent of South Asia's total, a study showed on Tuesday. With the country moving slowly away from coal at a national level, however, considerable progress is being made at the state level.
PODCAST
Listen: The credibility and cost of Asia’s climate goals
ING Think Aloud, 10 Sept 2021
Asia emits half the world's carbon dioxide. But ahead of the COP26 climate change talks in November, only a handful of Asian countries have made firm commitments to achieving a net-zero carbon future. And getting there will be a monumental challenge.
ADDITIONAL READS
Govt to provide houses for all climate change affected people: Environment minister
The Daily Star, 16 Sept 2021
EU-like 'green deal' for Asean
The Straits Times, 15 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.