Most Asia-Pacific countries ill-prepared for natural disasters
According to a recently released United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) report, “Most Asia-Pacific countries are unprepared to deal with natural disasters”.
ESCAP has released the report titled ‘The Race to Net Zero: Accelerating Climate Action in Asia and the Pacific’.
This report outlines the regional context of climate change. Plus, it identifies actions that can be taken to support the global climate agenda.
Key findings of report –
- Over the past 60 years, warming in Asia and the Pacific has exceeded the global average.
- The average annual economic loss due to natural and biological hazards across Asia and the Pacific is estimated at $780 billion.
- The greenhouse gas emissions of the Asia-Pacific region are set to more than double between 1990 and 2020.
Recommendations –
- Action is needed to close the emissions gap in three key sectors. (These are the three major sectors: energy, transportation, and international trade and investment.)
- Transport related climate action policies should be integrated into the Nationally Determined Contributions.
- Industries should be made low-carbon emitting. For this the following steps can be taken:
- By eliminating subsidies on fossil fuels,
- Carbon pricing – by setting up a mechanism and
- Through investment in climate mitigation and adaptation.
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
- Origin: The commission was established by the Economic and Social Council in Shanghai in 1947 as the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ESCAFE). In the year 1974 it was renamed as ESCAP.
- Functions: It supports inclusive and sustainable development in the region. Its headquarter is located in Bekak, Thailand.
Performs the following activities:
- Generate action-oriented knowledge, and provide technical assistance and capacity-building services in support of national development objectives and regional agreements.
- Membership: 53 member states and 9 associate members. India is its member.
- Other important information: It is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations.
Source – Down to Earth
