Study Reveals How Asian Cities Are Adapting to Climate Change

A study conducted by Hari Bansha Dulal of the Virginia Department of Social Services investigates how cities in Asia adapt to climate change. Asian cities are suffering from high economic losses and damage caused by climate change.

Cities of Guangzhou, Mumbai, Shenzen, Tianjin, Ho Chi Minh City, Kolkota, and Jakarta have combined annual losses of USD 1520 million due to coastal flooding in 2005. This amount is projected to snowball to US$ 32,079 million by 2050.

The study examines the current state of climate adaptation measures, planning, and implementation of these Asian cities by looking at public data and information between 2004 and 2014.

Some of the highlights of the report include exposure to coastal flooding data of Asian cities, their average annual losses from it, the distribution of urban climate adaptation activities between 2004 and 2014, and sectoral delivery of adaptation projects.

The study revealed that more groundwork activities are being implemented than adaptation actions, and this is true for the most vulnerable cities, such as Nepal and Bangladesh.

Most cities are still in the initial stage of climate change planning and governance, figuring out their exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity to climate change and climate-induced extreme weather events.

The study revealed that cities with climate adaptation measures in place are those with governments that have provided policy directives and support. Overall, data between 2004 and 2014 showed that there are insufficient climate adaptation measures in place.

Investments amounting to US$ 8.2 trillion (in 2008 prices) are needed to make infrastructure resilient and adapt to climate change.  

The study also showed that two-thirds of ongoing climate change adaptation activities in Asian cities are reactive. A shift to more proactive actions is needed, as this approach is more efficient and cost-effective.

This study provides fascinating insights into how Asian cities address climate change, their current climate policies, adaptation measures, and the investments and actions needed to address climate change.

To read the entire report, CLICK on the link below: