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Compiled by Purnima Joshi
With countries limping back to some semblance of normalcy in what may be now termed as the post-Covid era, there’s lots happening across the region as COP26 approaches, to happen in Glasgow end of this month. This issue reflects so much that’s happening across various aspects of life and in different countries - ensuring ‘climate justice’ through workshops conducted, launch of more financial initiatives in the form of investment products, and funds to support low-carbon economic development, countries across the world are made conscious of the need to phase out use of coal power, studies being conducted to assess impact of climate change, and hydropower dams on the continent’s waterways, protesters joining the worldwide youth climate action, and students exceling in climate action communication - world leaders once again using global forums like the recent UN General Assembly to address the matter of climate change, and Malaysia pledges to spend and set green goals in its economic plan for the coming five years.
Stay tuned as COP26 approaches and even after, as things heat up for different countries and realization for urgent action comes about. Happy reading!
CLIMATE JUSTICE
Ensure ‘climate justice’ for migrants
The Daily Star, 23 Sept, 2021
Speakers during a two-day workshop stressed on significant strides in social, economic and political dimensions to address issues of climate vulnerabilities and ensure "climate justice" for migrants.
ENERGY
Bloomberg Philanthropies and Goldman Sachs Deploy $25 Million to Advance Clean Energy Solutions in South and Southeast Asia
CSR Wire, 23 Sept 2021
Today, Bloomberg Philanthropies and Goldman Sachs announced the launch of the Climate Innovation Fund to support sustainable low-carbon economic development with a focus on South and Southeast Asia to increase the pace, scale, and ambition of climate solutions and
contribute to the clean energy transition.
INDIA
Climate Change challenges: India’s need for coal
The Global Herald, 22 Sept 2021
Countries around the world are being told they must agree to phase out the use of coal power, to prevent catastrophic global warming.
RBI joins climate change fight
Times Of India, 25 Sept 2021
Banks received a clear message from the RBI last week — climate change is a risk to financial firms and there is a clear case to act early to ensure an orderly transition. This message came from RBI deputy governor M Rajeshwar Rao
in a speech at a conference on green and sustainable
finance. Read further ...
CHINA
China Joins Lower Mekong River Countries to Study Impacts of Climate Change, Dams
VOA News, 24 Sept 2021
China and the countries of the lower Mekong River are teaming up for their largest joint study yet of the impacts climate change and hydropower dams are having on one of Asia's great waterways, and how to cope with the growing threats from floods and drought.
SOUTH-EAST ASIA
Philippines’ youth call for systemic change at climate protest
The Guardian, 24 Sept 2021
A monstrous effigy of Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte was paraded through the country’s capital Manila on Friday as protesters joined a worldwide youth climate action.
Sustaining the environment begins in our homes and communities
Manila Bulletin, 26 Sept 2021
As the United Nations General Assembly opened last week, world leaders — including President Duterte — pointed to the ever-increasing risks brought on by the climate change crisis, even as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on.
Climate education still a ‘peripheral topic’ in Southeast Asia’s syllabus amid calls to make it compulsory
CNA, 26 Sept 2021
When children step into Green School Bali, their experience is designed to be intimately entwined with nature.
Filipino among top 10 climate science communicators
Business Mirror, 26 Sept 2021
A Filipino has been named as one of the top 10 international finalists to compete at the FameLab Climate Change Communicators Online Final this September 2021.
Temasek conference: Solutions to climate crisis to be focus of sustainability event
The Straits Times, 27 Sept 2021
Taking urgent action to weather the climate change storm will be a key focus of a sustainability conference organised by state investor Temasek this week.
Malaysia pledges spending, green goals in 5-year economic plan
Reuters, 27 Sept 2021
Malaysia's Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Monday tabled a new five-year economic plan, boosting infrastructure spending and committing to a carbon tax under climate change goals as the country looks to chart its way out of a pandemic-induced slump.
PACIFIC RIM
Australia will help regional neighbours combat climate change with technology: PM
SBS News, 1 Oct 2021
Australia will help developing neighbours combat climate change with renewable energy technologies, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has told the United Nations general assembly.
Australia: Insurers urged to support resources sector in shift towards net-zero emissions
Asia Insurance Review, 27 Sept 2021
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has issued a message to insurers, banks, and superannuation funds, urging them not to abandon sectors of the economy that will need investment to make a successful transition to net-zero emissions.
BIODIVERSITY
How to address Asia Pacific’s biodiversity crisis and encourage nature-positive growth
The Jakarta Post, 24 Sept, 2021
This article was published in thejakartapost.com with the title "How to address Asia Pacific’s biodiversity crisis and encourage nature-positive growth". Click to read:
Students for sustainability… marine biologist Tiffany Goh
Eco-Business, 27 Sept 2021
As human activities increase in the polar region, Goh aims to protect the large marine mammals that play a key role in maintaining the balance of our natural ecosystem.
ADDITIONAL READS
Climate Change And Mass Migration
Leadership, 20 Sept 2021
WTTC sets out Net Zero Roadmap for travel and tourism
TTG Asia, 27 Sept 2021
7 Sinking Cities In India That Can Go Under Water By The End Of Century
CurlyTales, 23 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.