A study that Hari Bansha Dulal of the Virginia Department of Social Services conducted investigates how cities in Asia are adapting to climate change. Asian cities are suffering high economic losses and damages from 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, distribution of urban climate adaptation activities between 2004 to 2014, and sectoral delivery of adaption projects.
The study revealed that more groundwork activities are being implemented compared to adaptation actions – this is true with the most vulnerable cities like Nepal and Bangladesh.
Most cities are still at the initial stage of climate change planning and governance. Cities are in the stage of 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 2004-2014 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 is a more efficient and cost-effective approach.
This study provides fascinating insights into how Asian cities are addressing climate change, its 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:
Source citation:
Dulal, H. (2018). Cities in Asia: how are they adapting to climate change? Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. 9. 10.1007/s13412-018-0534-1. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329728894_Cities_in_Asia_how_are_they_adapting_to_climate_change
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