CLIMATE JUSTICE NOW!

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All 11 states in Southeast Asia have signed and ratified the Paris Agreement and ten of them have submitted their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for the 5-year cycle. It was not possible to review Myanmar’s NDC due to the on-going political situation. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which covers all states in Southeast Asia except Timor-Leste, has also issued a statement of support to the Paris Agreement. Ahead of the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the ASEAN has released its first integrated report on climate change, the “ASEAN State of Climate Change Report (ASCCR): Current status and outlook of the ASEAN region Toward the ASEAN climate vision 2050”, which outlines the goal of the region to achieve net-zero GHG emissions as early as possible. The report reiterates ASEAN’s position in contributing towards the global trends of a ‘decarbonizing revolution’ to pursue net-zero emissions as soon as possible in the latter half of the 21st century.

This assessment aims to present a brief analysis of the NDC of each state in Southeast Asia and provides insight into how a future ‘decarbonized’ region might look like.

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An Assessment of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of the States of Southeast Asia

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Khanh Hoa

Gender and Climate Change: Snapshots from Southeast Asia

Article
Most regions in the world have been – to some extent – affected by climate change, and Southeast Asian countries are no exception. Within the group of people who are affected,  recognition needs to be accentuated on the disproportionate impact of climate change along gender lines. It is essential for the region to further enhance their collaborative climate actions to respond to the need of a gender transformational change that will increase women’s resiliency toward the risk of climate change.
By Tri Sulistyo Saputro
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“You want people to become environmentalists? Make it practical and logical. Make it a trend.”

I stared at the computer screen. What I saw was a whiny girl, talking through a megaphone and telling people what to do. That girl was me, leading the Strike for Climate Change in Bangkok, which I organized as part of the global #FridaysForFuture Climate Strike on May 24, 2019, when 1.3 million young environmental activists skipped school to demand climate justice and a sustainable future.
By Nanticha 'Lynn' Ocharoenchai
Climate Crisis happened, we have to take action before it's too late.
Nguy Thi Khanh - Vietnam
TYTD

A Climate Call for Thailand

Opinion
Thais often associate climate change action to plastic waste which is not the whole point of it. It’s easier to feel empathy for marine lives who suffer from plastic waste but not be responsible for the carbon footprint. Many of us still don’t get the big picture. Fighting climate change would involve reducing carbon emission, driving less, saving energy, being vegetarian, using local products, avoiding aviation, waste separation, recycle and more.
By Sanathorn Ratanapoompinyo

Vietnam’s Most Vulnerable Region Copes with Climate Change

Article
The Mekong Delta where the turbid water flow of the Mekong River passing through before joining the sea, is the largest area of rice, fruits and fishery production in Vietnam. It is also the place which seriously affected by climate change, drought, saline intrusion, sea level rise and landslide. In the last few years, unpredictable weather pattern has made crops in the Mekong Delta unstable, leading to a harder life for the people and as a consequence, the influx of people from rural areas to big cities has spread through the whole region.
By Le Dinh Tuyen
We have to reduce plastic usage and consumption in our society.
Tara Buakamsri - Thailand

Threatened Biodiversity and Empty Wombs: Climate Change and Women’s Plight in Central Java

Study
With the increasing threats of climate change, corporate investment and industrial expansion in the area, women are faced with new challenges in the form of migration and trafficking. The impacts of climate change are charted as follows: decreasing crop yields; threats to food security; increased water stress and drought; increasing fluvial flooding and rainfall; frequent fluvial flooding; an increasing number of tropical cyclones (in certain areas); and rise of sea level affecting livelihood in coastal regions.
By Dewi Candraningrum
We are in a Climate Crisis and the way these big projects are coming at us, we need to counter this with our own development agenda.
Rayyan Hassan - The Philippines

Climate Change Mitigation in Singapore: Lessons From an Urbanized Island Nation

Article
With a gleaming skyline, robust public transportation system, and high per capita income, Singapore is often held up as a paragon of development that other Southeast Asian countries seek to emulate. However, a closer look at Singapore’s climate commitments and non-state actors suggests that while Singapore presents a pathway for climate mitigation, the island nation still has scope to be more ambitious and those looking to follow in its path should take note.
By Aidan Mock
For the rest of our life, fight hard in saving Mother Earth. That's the only chance that we have.
Dr. Dewi Candraningrum - Indonesia

Vulnerable Country Approaches to Urgent Climate Policy Development

Article
Vulnerable countries should use the current period to more rapidly bake-in implications of the climate crisis in economy-wide development metrics and plans. They must do so in ways that reflect national priorities and which enable country development strategies even as they sustain and intensify demands for developed countries to deliver climate finance obligations based on the speed and scale of vulnerable country needs rather than random rich country yardsticks.
By Renato Redentor Constantino

Tackling Deforestation in the Palm Oil Industry: Quo Vadis Private and Public Sectors Commitments?

Article
The concerns around deforestation, fires, animal extinction, social conflicts and other problems with the palm oil industry, especially in Indonesia, has increased significantly in the past two decades. There have been commitments made by governments and the companies to tackle deforestation in Indonesia since then. What are the main commitments from government and companies, what are the progress and the major challenges to deliver them, and what are the recommendations, will be the main focus of this article.
By Annisa Rahmawati

Building Climate Resilience in Southeast Asian Secondary Cities

Article
Southeast Asia is urbanizing rapidly, with cities in the region growing five times faster than in other regions of the world. As in most of Asia, urban growth in the region in the coming decades is projected to occur mainly in smaller urban centres. These cities, however are often highly vulnerable to the risks posed by climate change, particularly floods, droughts, and sea-level rise, because of their geographical locations.
By Danny Marks

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