In May 2023, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) released the Race to Net Zero: Accelerating Climate Action in Asia and the Pacific report. In this article, we discuss what the report says and its implications for the Asia-Pacific region and what measures can be taken to close the emissions gap. This topic is essential for the IAS exam GS paper III environment and ecology segment.
Race to Net Zero Report Findings
- Countries in the Asia and Pacific area lack the information and resources needed to assist efforts at adaptation and mitigation.
- Development in Asia and the Pacific is increasingly being threatened by climate change and climate-related disasters, which frequently undermines hard-won development benefits.
- Six of the ten nations most impacted by these catastrophes are located in the Asia-Pacific area.
- Food systems are being disturbed, businesses are being harmed, and civilizations are being weakened.
Concerns of the Asia Pacific Region in Tackling Climate Change
- Extreme weather events: Natural disasters that are unpredictable have increased in frequency and severity. Tropical cyclones, heat waves, floods, and droughts have caused a great deal of death and devastation, forced millions into poverty, and harmed people’s health.
- Vulnerable region: With a substantial share of the world’s population, it is one of the world’s most quickly developing areas. The majority of the world’s low-lying cities and fragile small island republics are found in this region.
- High cost of climate change: Climate change already has too many costs. According to ESCAP estimates, the average yearly losses from environmental and biological hazards in Asia and the Pacific is around $780 billion.
- Insufficient funds: The existing funding on this front is insufficient to meet the region’s needs for investment in climate action or to keep global warming at 1.5°C.
ESCAP Race to Net Zero Report Recommendations
The report enlisted the changes required to close the emissions gap in three key sectors — energy, transport and international trade and investment.
- Climate-proofed Energy Systems
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- Restructuring national energy systems, the development of new technical capabilities, and large supply and infrastructure investments are all necessary for the quick adoption of renewable energy. The emphasis of the report is on boosting the proportion of renewable energy in international electrical systems.
- Local use of renewable energy benefits from the elimination of high transmission costs.
- To reduce the carbon footprint in the building industry, energy efficiency rules must be in line with net-zero objectives.
- Energy solutions that are climate-proof were emphasized. The most prevalent form of installed renewable energy in the area, hydropower, has been progressively less dependable.
- Sustainable Transport
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- The transportation industry, which relies heavily on oil, needs to transition to a low-carbon course.
- This can be done by utilizing integrated land use and planning, switching to sustainable transportation options with low or net carbon emissions, and enhancing vehicle and fuel economy.
- Climate Smart Trade
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- The paper also emphasized the importance of including climate issues in regional trade agreements.
- Recently, there has been an upsurge in the number of businesses publishing sustainability reports and tracking greenhouse gas emissions.
- Trade must be climate-smart; since 2005, climate-related measures have been included in 85% of regional trade agreements with at least one Asia-Pacific economy.
- The private sector needs to be pushed to take steps towards a low-carbon future, and business practices need to incorporate sustainability.
Conclusion: Without prompt action, climate change will continue to be a major factor in the region’s poverty and inequality. As a result of disproportionately affecting the poor and marginalized groups, climate change has been aggravating the fundamental causes of poverty and societal inequities. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) will be in danger if climate change is not stopped since it would intensify the stresses of other, concurrent problems.
ESCAP’s Race to Net Zero Report [UPSC Notes]:- Download PDF Here
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