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Compiled by Purnima Joshi
It’s a very short spring with temperatures soaring in the Indian subcontinent bringing forward the searing hot summer! The latest IPCC Report’s warning of the future is already being witnessed.
Yet, APAC CEOs and leaders have shown a lack of interest with only 291 of 3879 companies in the region having laid out plans for net-zero carbon emissions at the end of 2021. Perhaps it’s to do with Asian banks falling short of supporting their countries net-zero targets? However, world’s largest asset manager BlackRock has declared that 75% of their assets will be net zero-aligned by 2030.
There’s also some good news about collaboration on climate change and green economy between Singapore and New Zealand. The ASEAN Climate Governance Network has launched a series of webinars last week – they are a must attend!
The recently released IPCC Report makes a recommendation of plant-based diets which New Zealand has asked to be replaced with ‘healthy diets’. With the success of box office hit film ‘Don’t Look Up’ it may be a great idea to use pop culture role models to raise awareness of climate change. Read all about this and more…
We also have some videos for you. Do check them out too.
We look forward to your feedback on the issue. What would you like to read/know about related to climate change and climate governance that would help you in your work?
CLIMATE GOVERNANCE
Climate change: Asia-Pacific CEOs, boardrooms show apathy as large majority fails to deliver net-zero plans
South China Morning Post | 18 April 2022
Only 291 of 3,879 companies in Asia-Pacific region have laid out their plans to attain net-zero carbon emissions at the end of 2021, according to CDP report. Among 65 per cent with active emissions reduction targets, fewer than one in three had science-based targets that provide a clearly-defined pathway. Read more...
Tengku Zafrul: Integrity of directors, ESG adoption in GLICs to come under greater scrutiny after introduction of PGG
The Edge Markets | 15 April 2022
Directors of government-linked investment companies (GLICs) and the adoption of environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards will come under greater scrutiny, according to Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. Read more ...
PM urged to declare climate change emergency by Sept 16
New Straits Times | 20 April 2022
An environmental coalition is demanding for the government declare a climate change emergency by Malaysia Day. Among the coalition's 12 point demands were for Putrajaya to declare over 55 per cent of its land area as terrestrial forest reserves and 30 per cent or more of its forests as totally protected. Read more ...
Most Asia Pacific companies have no credible net-zero target: report
Ecobusiness | 18 April 2022
Corporate Asia is lagging the rest of the world in the race to decarbonise, according to a new study from CDP, a non-profit which measures the carbon pollution exposure of businesses and governments. Less than a third of APAC companies reporting carbon measurement have committed to science-based targets. Read more ...
BlackRock: 75 Percent of Assets to be Net Zero-Aligned by 2030
Finews.Asia | 18 April 2022
The world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock, estimated that the lion’s share of its corporate and sovereign assets managed for clients would be with issuers with targets for stemming their climate impact. Read more ...
CLIMATE FINANCE
Asian banks — good at selling green finance, 'falling short' on decarbonisation efforts: report
Eco-Business | 30 March 2022
The region's banks have been more actively launching green finance products than aligning their lending policies to meet national net-zero targets, a study by Asia Research & Engagement finds. Singapore's DBS Bank emerges on top of the study. Read more ...
ASEAN
First Newsletter of the ASEAN Climate Governance Network
Climate Governance Malaysia | April 2022
The ASEAN Climate Governance Network brings together people from the ASEAN Member States to enable conversations on climate governance, and how climate issues are impacting all aspects of business. Read the latest newsletter for news from the Network. Click here to access ...
GLOBAL WARMING
South and Central Asia reel under early heatwave
Eco-business | 20 April 2022
In India and Pakistan, maximum temperatures were consistently above 40 degrees C for over a fortnight, exceeding the average for early April by up to 10C in some areas. For days at a time, the temperature exceeded 43 degrees C and a dry wind from the desert seared the river basin plains. Read more ...
IPCC REPORT
Climate action: We’re running out of time
Asia News Network | 20 April 2022
The sixth assessment report of the IPCC is the last warning to policymakers around the world to take action immediately to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. IPCC is a United Nations (UN) body set up to commission major assessments of the state of science on climate change and issue their assessment report every 5 or so years. Read more ...
Indian monsoon – the impact of climate change
India New England News | 14 April 2022
Scientists have already warned of changing climatic conditions. The Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has sounded code red and warned of erratic rainfall pattern for South Asia, more so for India. Read more ...
New Zealand Officials Wanted ‘Plant-Based Diets’ Removed From IPCC Climate Action Plan Summary
Green Queen | 19 April 2022
New Zealand Government officials allegedly took action to dilute Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report recommendations. Official records demonstrate that representatives made the case for replacing a recommendation of plant-based diets with ‘healthy diets’. India and Kenya supported the motion. Germany and Sweden opposed the move. Read more ...
BILATERAL COOPERATION
Singapore and New Zealand to jointly tackle climate change
The Star | 19 April 2022
Singapore and New Zealand will cooperate on green technologies in the fight against climate change, said prime ministers from both countries. The efforts are part of the new climate change & green economy pillar added to the enhanced partnership, and involve adopting low carbon & green technologies. Read more...
Also watch the video: https://youtu.be/HfjiRLGT-Nc
CLIMATE ADVOCACY
Pop Culture Role Models Could Be Surprising Allies In Fight Against Climate Crisis
Green Queen | 15 April 2022
To tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis effectively, we urgently need to address cultural values relating to consumption. An important aspect of this is the role models presented on our screens and in books. Read more ...
CLIMATE ADAPTATION
Climate Change: Time for adaptive measures: ALARMING CLIMATE REPORT
Deccan Herald | 11 April 2022
After the Glasgow climate summit in late 2021, climate change has receded to the background, with the Russia-Ukraine war, Covid pandemic, elections, hijab controversy and so on dominating the headlines. But there is no escape from the problem of climate change, which is only getting more and more serious. Read more...
DEFORESTATION
Forests the size of S’pore to be cut down in Peninsular Malaysia, claims NGO
FMT | 21 April 2022
Peninsular Malaysia will see deforestation amounting to a minimum of 72,584.73ha in the near future, says an environmental group. This is roughly three times the size of Kuala Lumpur or nearly the size of Singapore. Read more...
VIDEOS
From heatwaves to erratic monsoons, 10 ways climate change will impact India
WION | 17 April 2022
India is already experiencing a warming climate. Around the globe, countries are experiencing unusual and unprecedented aftermaths of climate change. The question arises: In what ways the climate change could impact India? Watch here ...
Floods and drought in Nepal: The cost of climate change | DW Documentary
Deutsche Welle | 15 April 2022
This film tells three stories of people suffering from the dramatic consequences of climate change. Their Nepalese communities are already being affected by floods and drought. Their suffering is a direct result of human-made climate change. Watch here...
'Prices of crude..': FM Nirmala on how Ukraine war will hit India's shift away from coal
Hindustan Times | 19 April 2022
Nirmala Sitharaman stated India's transition away from coal as a fuel would be hampered by the Ukraine war. Coal produces twice as much carbon dioxide per unit of heat energy compared to natural gas. Watch here...
ADDITIONAL
Does vegan-friendly Indonesia need to feel guilty about eating meat because of climate change?
This Week in Asia | 17 April 2022
Debate over meat consumption is in the spotlight in Indonesia, even though its cuisine offers a variety of affordable plant-based foods. Activists say the debate is a good way to discuss the threat of climate change, as beef production creates a larger carbon footprint than plant-based proteins. Read more...
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 been working on a multitude of projects in waste management, circular economy, building active citizenship in the community, some projects have won awards. These also include a project on building climate resilience for UNICEF. She is co-founder of a community NGO, and been associated with several NGOs in an advisory capacity for over 10 years. She has also co-founded Swap! - a platform for circular economy and collaborative consumption.