Integrating technologies, measures and policies for climate resilient economy: A case analysis from emerging countries in the Asia-Pacific Region

Abstract

The Asia-Pacific region accounts for significant level of greenhouse gas emissions globally. The recent abrupt drastic changes in the general climate are highly relevant for the Asia-Pacific than other regions owing to its highly vulnerable societies. However, the region has significant potential to contribute to both mitigation and adaptation efforts in the context of climate change. The regional scenario which is already experiencing multiple socio-economic problems is further worsened due to climate change. Nevertheless, it is pertinent to note that several countries in the region have initiated and implemented large-scale mitigation and adaptation programs. However, there is an urgent need to augment regional capacity, strengthen institutional coordination and knowledge sharing on mitigation and adaptation policies, strategies as well as programs. These interventions can potentially influence the extent to which countries integrate climate change policies within their broader development frameworks. In the current review we describe the climate change related threats and associated developmental risks in the Asia-Pacific region as well as analyze the sensitivity, potential resilience strategies, various adaptation and mitigation initiatives in the region in the broad context of the role to be played by the region to deal with climate change. In specifics, we attempt to develop a general typology for adaptation strategies framed upon emissions reduction technologies, practices, measures, national policies adopted in the countries in the region. The key economic sectors such as energy, buildings, and water supply systems are covered as part of this assessment through a comprehensive methodology to position the climate change threats in the backdrop of resilient economy. This framework makes use of nested flowcharts to demonstrate how, social and environmental forces interact to create situations vulnerable to sudden changes. Our work is expected to contribute the initiatives in developing climate change adaptation toolkit for Asia-Pacific countries which will be crucial in undertaking vulnerability assessments as well as in identification and prioritization of appropriate actions required to build resilience in the context of changing climate in the region.