Climate of Opportunity

Abstract

This article identifies the trends within climate change, the impact on Asia and the issues and methods necessary in developing Asia’s potential to address climate change. If current energy consumption patterns continue temperatures will rise from 1.4–5.8°C by 2100. The growth of energy demand in Asia and the Pacific is also rising. Between 2000–2005 it rose by 9.7 per cent and corresponding Green House Gas (GHG) emissions also rose by nearly 8 per cent over the same period. These trends and developments are outlined in this article to increase understanding of climate change drivers and impacts, globally and on Asia. The paper then discusses the opportunities that are available in the midst of the current financial crisis—the policy, technological and financial solutions that can help developing Asia respond to the global climate challenge. Finally, the paper touches on the four essentials which need to be included in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009 to have a meaningful post-Kyoto Protocol framework for climate change.