2022 review of climate ambition in Asia and the Pacific : raising NDC targets with enhanced nature-based solutions with a special feature on engagement of children and youth in raising national climate ambition
Abstract
As of August 2022, 39 out of the 49 Asia-Pacific member States included in this report, have made
carbon neutrality and net-zero pledges, and have started developing enabling frameworks to the
support implementation of their commitments. However, very few of these pledges are supported by
updated and ambitious NDC commitments that will scale down greenhouse gas emissions to keep
global warming within 1.5°C pathway . The Asia-Pacific region will only be able to drive ambitious
climate action when such pledges are supported with higher ambition of NDC commitments.
Since COP26, 13 countries have updated their approach to fight climate change. Progress is being
made across different subregions, and by countries with different income levels. While there is some
progress in developing synergies between green growth, development strategies and long-term low-
emissions strategies, more can be achieved during the NDC updates process, which can start any time
with a final submission in 2025. Indeed, those Asia-Pacific countries that have included innovation
and roll out of decarbonization technologies will be at an advantage during the implementation of
their commitments.
Given the current volume of greenhouse gas emissions in the Asia-Pacific region, it is important
to focus on removing the barriers to decarbonization of key and carbon-intensive sectors through
phasing down and phasing out coal, reducing dependence on other fossil fuels, scaling up
penetration of renewable energy resources and e-mobility, and enhancing energy efficiency, as well
as encouraging low-carbon recovery from COVID-19 pandemic, which can create jobs and contribute
to sustainable economic revival.
With the current turmoil in energy markets and fast declining costs of renewables, now is the time for Asia-Pacific countries to aggressively scale up investments in renewable energy production and improve energy efficiency in order to enhance decarbonization efforts substantially. Additional opportunities to scale up decarbonization and enhance current NDC commitments as recommended by the Glasgow Climate Pact, include increased investments in nature-based solutions (NbS), and ensuring protection of that natural wealth, which can help reduce the gap between the current NDC commitments and the required greenhouse gas emissions reductions to keep global warming within 1.5°C pathway. Most governments in the Asia-Pacific region have indicated, in their NDCs, that the delivery on nature-based solutions (NbS) is contingent on external financing. However, international financing for NbS is contested and limited.
Further, in recent years, youth and children have begun to recognize their potential as agents for raising climate ambition and are voicing their concerns regarding current insufficient climate action. This prompts governments to ensure that the youth and children can take a seat at the decision- making table, and that their concerns are taken into account when reviewing the next steps for NDC commitments
With the current turmoil in energy markets and fast declining costs of renewables, now is the time for Asia-Pacific countries to aggressively scale up investments in renewable energy production and improve energy efficiency in order to enhance decarbonization efforts substantially. Additional opportunities to scale up decarbonization and enhance current NDC commitments as recommended by the Glasgow Climate Pact, include increased investments in nature-based solutions (NbS), and ensuring protection of that natural wealth, which can help reduce the gap between the current NDC commitments and the required greenhouse gas emissions reductions to keep global warming within 1.5°C pathway. Most governments in the Asia-Pacific region have indicated, in their NDCs, that the delivery on nature-based solutions (NbS) is contingent on external financing. However, international financing for NbS is contested and limited.
Further, in recent years, youth and children have begun to recognize their potential as agents for raising climate ambition and are voicing their concerns regarding current insufficient climate action. This prompts governments to ensure that the youth and children can take a seat at the decision- making table, and that their concerns are taken into account when reviewing the next steps for NDC commitments
