Climate change important part of regional cooperation

Climate change is affecting every corner of our planet. It is amplifying the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, including heat waves, rainfall, droughts and storms. Our region has already experienced the severe consequences of these climate-induced phenomena.

Countries must speed up implementing their commitment to achieving national net-zero targets. Above 80 percent of Asian and Pacific countries have pledged to reach net-zero carbon or greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century. Recognizing that this transition is also an opportunity to enhance economic competitiveness in a new low-carbon economy, countries must expedite efforts to ensure these goals are met ahead of schedule.

Yet, amid these challenges, there remains hope that we can reverse the current trajectory by taking immediate, substantial and sustained steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In the Asia-Pacific region there are promising developments that warrant our attention and support.

Over the past decade, global renewable energy capacity has more than doubled, with China leading the way by tripling its own capacity. Notably, renewable energy sources now constitute over half of China's power capacity. While this progress is commendable, the world needs to triple renewable energy and simultaneously double energy efficiency by 2030.

Enhancing nature's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide is a pivotal strategy for achieving carbon neutrality. However, investment in this area remains very insufficient. And many countries lack the necessary management capabilities. China has demonstrated effective policies and technologies for transforming deserts into forests, restoring wetlands and making cities greener. These valuable experiences and resources should be shared and leveraged to support other countries and their pursuit of net-zero objectives.

Armida Alisjahbana, under-secretary-general of the United Nations and executive secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)