Dr. Arvind Kumar*
Climate scientists predicted that April 2024 will likely be the hottest April ever recorded globally. This would make it the 9th consecutive monthly temperature record as per data from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The abnormal heat is attributed to climate change and warming. The record warmth has brought early springs across the Northern Hemisphere, with flowers blooming weeks ahead of time from Japan to Mexico. Ski resorts in Europe have been left without snow, turning their slopes into hiking trails instead. Similar conditions have been observed in India where flowers are blooming earlier than expected. If left unchecked, climate change will undo a lot of the development progress made over the past years. It will also provoke mass migrations that will lead to instability and wars. To limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre- industrial levels, emissions must already be decreasing and need to be cut by almost half by 2030, just seven years away. But, we are drastically off track from this target. The ADB report ‘People and Planet: Addressing the Interlinked Challenges of Climate Change, Poverty, and Hunger in Asia and the Pacific’, notes that more frequent and severe climate-related hazards will result in reduced agricultural and labor productivity, loss of livelihoods, and human displacement. These strain socioeconomic and environmental systems, and hinder efforts to promote food security and alleviate poverty, especially for poorer countries and vulnerable communities.
Demand for natural resources is at an all-time high and continues to grow — for food, clothing, water, housing, infrastructure and other aspects of life. Resource extraction has more than tripled since 1970, including a 45% increase in fossil fuel use. The extraction and processing of materials, fuels and food contribute half of total global greenhouse gas emissions and over 90% of biodiversity loss and water stress. We are using the equivalent of 1.6 Earths to maintain our current way of life, and ecosystems cannot keep up with our demands. Electricity and heat production are the largest contributors to global emissions. This is followed by transport, manufacturing, construction (largely cement and similar materials), and agriculture. Looking at the breakdown of greenhouse gases by sector on aggregate is essential for countries to understand where emissions reductions could have the largest impact. Cooperation at regional level between countries is an imperative in order to address these emissions.
SANS an Enabler for Cooperation
UNESCAP South and South-West Asia office in New Delhi has launched the South Asia Network on the Sustainable Development Goals (SANS) as a platform for networking among the South Asian governments, think tanks, civil society organizations, agencies working on the SDGs and other stakeholders for dissemination of good practices to further accelerate the implementation of the SDGs. These countries share common geography, history, culture preferences and have a huge potential for cooperation for multiple sectors but due to political tensions, mistrust, etc. the cooperation gets hindered. While sources like industries and vehicles affect most countries, there are certain major contributors that are unique to South Asia, including solid fuel combustion for cooking and heating and burning of agricultural waste. SANS is such a platform which can bring political stability in the region. Regional cooperation is discussed at most of the platforms but who to initiate it, here comes the role of SANS. Instead of geo-politics we have to move towards geo-economics and take people centric approach. Recently at a meeting organized by SANS for its members, all the members of SANS from South and South WEST Asia region were equivocal on regional cooperation.
A twin focus is required- sharing inputs and strategies with countries on reducing GHG emissions and enhancing adaptation outcomes by increasing climate finance, improving and expanding diagnostics to prioritize climate-related actions, and focusing on climate results to deliver inclusive development impact. Adopting a “whole of the economy” approach to simultaneously achieve robust, inclusive growth and climate goals requires an integrated and interconnected strategy across geographies (local, state, national, agro-climatic zones), key social and economic sectors, and people (multiple stakeholders). Novel approaches like Blue carbon credits represent a niche yet increasingly vital component of the broader carbon market. Originating from coastal and marine ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes, these credits are not just about offsetting carbon emissions; they are about preserving and restoring some of our planet’s most effective carbon sinks. Operationalizing the loss and damage fund is a major breakthrough and, given its quick completion on the first day of COP28, it has been the focus of much positive press. It is worth mentioning here that IWF was the first organization to give a presentation on factoring water in the production of at the ministry of petroleum and natural gas on 26th May 2022 in front of all the oil and gas PSUs. The presentation paved the way for the approval of the cabinet note on green hydrogen production.
Way forward
The development gains of cooperation and collaboration are immense, and in the face of extreme climate events and major long-term risks, a quest for resilience should not stop at political borders. Be it knowledge and information related to weather services, early warning systems, strengthening resilience, scaling innovative technologies etc. Now, these accelerators need to be filled with action by all actors and together with other sectors for achieving SDGs. We make hundreds of thousands of decisions during our lives. The energy transition has become an important field of activity in foreign policy and diplomacy, and one that relies heavily on specialist dialogue at policy level, so that everyone who is affected by energy transition can present their perspective. This is only possible through sustained engagement in an ongoing open dialogue to better inform policy and investment decisions in producing and consuming countries alike. More inclusive participatory decision making cannot take place without a humbler approach to policy making. Political leaders should recognise that they cannot deliver the energy transition without community and multistakeholder support and participation. Given that their decisions affect everyday lives, more humility is required on the part of decision makers to truly listen to citizens and their needs. As part of this, more frameworks are required to help governments become more ‘open’ and make room for increased dialogues, participation, transparency, accountability and cooperation. The choices we make and the lifestyles we live have a profound impact on our planet. In fact, our lifestyles are responsible for an estimated two thirds of global emissions. It is imperative that we adopt a human-centered approach so that no one is left behind.
*Editor, Focus Global Reporter
