Countries in Asia are set to experience some of the most severe consequences of the climate crisis and this unique vulnerability underscores the urgent need for proactive and collaborative climate action. Asia’s rapid industrialization and reliance on fossil fuels have accelerated its contribution to global carbon emissions, while geographic and socioeconomic factors make the region especially susceptible to rising temperatures, sea level increases and extreme weather events.
According to a report released last week by the Asian Development Bank, Asian nations are significantly underfunded in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The annual financing requirement for climate adaptation across developing Asian countries ranges between $102 billion and $431 billion, yet they received only $34 billion in 2021-2022. This funding gap reflects the challenge that Asia faces in both reducing emissions and preparing for the inevitable impacts of a warming world.
Asia is the most populous continent, home to approximately 60 percent of the world’s population. Countries like China, India, Bangladesh and Vietnam have high population densities, especially along coastlines, where communities face the dual threats of sea level rises and intensified storm surges. The report noted that, if Antarctic sea ice collapses, sea levels in Asia-Pacific could rise at twice the global average, putting 300 million people at risk.
In addition, many of these populations lack the infrastructure to withstand extreme weather, leaving them highly vulnerable to both loss of life and economic disruption. Asia’s economic........