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Compiled by Purnima Joshi
As the world’s leaders gather in Glasgow, Scotland, this week for COP26 climate talks, the UK president-designate of the COP26 talks, Alok Sharma, said that achieving a global climate deal in Glasgow in the next three weeks will be harder than signing the Paris Agreement of 2015. With time running out, nations are now required to tackle the potential devastation of climate change in the way they averted nuclear war over half a century ago – as if their very existence depended on it. In the words of Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, it is a matter of “life and death”.
In other key events: New Zealand has become the first country in the world to pass a law that will ensure financial organizations disclose and ultimately act on climate-related risks and opportunities; India is seeking payment for the losses caused by climate disasters it has suffered; there’s guilt, grief and anxiety as young people fear for climate’s future. And there’s lots more packed in this issue.
Happy Reading…
GOVERNANCE
New Zealand: Govt passes world-first climate reporting legislation
Asia Insurance Review, 22 Oct 2021
New Zealand has become the first country in the world to pass a law that will ensure financial organisations disclose and ultimately act on climate-related risks and opportunities.
INDUSTRY
Rising sea levels a threat to Asia’s apparel sector, report says
FashionUnited, 22 Oct 2021
Asia’s apparel sector is under threat from rising sea levels, according to a new report.
SOUTH-EAST ASIA
ASEAN green energy drive needs huge push to reduce climate risks
The Straits Times, 25 Oct 2021
The energy crisis roiling other parts of Asia has had little impact on most of South-east Asia so far, but there is nothing to celebrate.
A Façade of Progress : Singapore’s Response to Climate Change
The Diplomat, 27 Oct 2021
Climate Change, in the words of Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, is a matter of “life and death”.
Climate-Smart Maps and Adaptation Plans (CS-MAP) launched
Vietnamplus, 24 Oct 2021
To help farmers manage climate-related risks such as flooding, drought and saline intrusion, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has launched the Climate-Smart Maps and Adaption Plans (CS-MAP).
INDIA
India lost $87 billion to climate disasters in 2020: Report
Hindustan Times, 29 Oct 2021
India lost $87 billion last year due to disasters such as cyclones, floods and droughts, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said in a report on Tuesday, as global warming starts impacting lives and property.
The bumpy road to India's electric car dreams
BBC News, 25 Oct 2021
India sold more electric vehicles in September than any month previously. Sales have been rising since April - the start of this financial year - and are already nearing the previous year's total.
India wants compensation for climate damage caused by rich nations
Straits Times, 23 Oct 2021
India is seeking payment for the losses caused by climate disasters, its environment ministry said while laying out the country's positions on critical issues that will be negotiated at the United Nations' COP26 climate summit in the coming weeks.
CHINA
White paper reveals China's principles on tackling climate change
The Straits Times, 27 Oct 2021
China has formulated new principles on tackling climate change and is contributing its solutions to global climate governance, according to a white paper released Wednesday (Oct 27) by the State Council Information Office.
COP 26
Bangladesh to share 'climate prosperity plan' at COP26
KDHNews, 23 Oct 2021
Bangladesh plans to present its “climate prosperity plan” aimed at mitigating the effects of global warming on economic development at the forthcoming U.N. climate talks in Glasgow, a Bangladeshi climate official says.
What will COP26 mean for Asian businesses?
Eco-Business, 25 Oct 2021
The world’s leaders will gather in Glasgow, Scotland, next week for COP26 climate talks to thrash-out plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a bid to avoid calamitous global warming.
Analysis: How delegations at COP climate summits have changed over time
CarbonBrief, 27 Oct 2021
Since the first COP was held in Berlin in 1995, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has gathered the international community together (almost) every year to assess and advance progress on tackling global warming.
REPORTS
State of the Climate in Asia 2020
The State of the Climate in Asia 2020 report is a collaborative product of the WMO, United Nations agencies, including the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the Economic and Social Commission for
Western Asia (UNSCWA), and climate,
ENVIRONMENT
Asia had hottest year on record in 2020 – UN
The Guardian, 26 Oct 2021
Asia suffered its hottest year on record in 2020, the United Nations has said ahead of the CoP26 summit, with extreme weather taking a heavy toll on the continent’s development.
ADDITIONAL READS
Guilt, grief and anxiety as young people fear for climate's future
Channel News Asia, 22 Oct 2021
Asia businesses face increasing ESG liability risks
Ejinsight.com, 22 Oct 2021
Cop26 climate deal will be harder than Paris accord, says Alok Sharma
Wionews, 23 Oct 2021
Climate change must make activists of us all, not just nations and business
South China Morning Post, 24 Oct 2021
This coal plan offers only half a solution
LiveMint, 29 Oct 2021
Climate refugees find safety in Bangladesh's shanty towns
UCANews, 26 Oct 2021
Climate change: Four things you can do about your carbon footprint
BBC News, 26 Oct 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.