APEC STUDIES CENTERS CONSORTIUM ANNUAL CONFERENCE

AREQUIPA, PERU

MAY, 5-6, 2016

Antonina Ivanova, Antonio Martínez, Alberto Torres

MEXICAN CONSORTIUM OF APEC STUDIES CENTERS

APEC STUDIES CENTER, UABCS

I. Climate Change: Adaptation and

Mitigation

II. APEC Climate Change Pact

III. UNEP

IV. ADB Programs on Climate Change:

Adaptation

V. Final Remarks

Climate Change: Human activities are altering theatmosphere, and the planet is warming. It is nowclear that the costs of inaction are far greater thanthe costs of action.

Climate Change: Ultimate Objective

• To stabilize GHG concentration at a level thatwould prevent dangerous anthropogenicinterference (DAI) with the climate system

• Within a time frame sufficient to: a) allowecosystems to adapt naturally b) ensure that thatfood production is not threatened c) enableeconomic development to proceed in a sustainablemanner (Art.2, UNFCC).

Warming of the climate system

Increasing in global average air and ocean temperatures

Rising global average sea level

Reductions of snow and ice

Warmest 12 years on record

Projected Future GHG Emissions Growth

Glacier melt in the Himalayas is projected to increase flooding, and rock

avalanches from destabilised slopes, and to affect water resources within the

next two to three decades. This will be followed by decreased river flows as the

glaciers recede.

Freshwater availability in Central, South, East and South-East Asia, particularly

in large river basins, is projected to decrease, could adversely affect more than a

billion people by the 2050s.

Endemic morbidity and mortality due to diarrheal disease primarily associated with

floods and droughts are expected to rise in East, South and South-East Asia

Increases in coastal water temperature would exacerbate the abundance and/or

toxicity of cholera in South Asia.

.

Coastal areas, especially heavily-populated megadelta regions in South, East

and South-East Asia, will be at greatest risk due to increased flooding from the

sea and, in some megadeltas, flooding from the rivers.

Commitment to the United Nations FrameworkConvention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). An equitableand effective post-2012 international climate changearrangement:

ComprehensivenessConcerted international action with all economiescontributing to shared global goals in ways that areequitable, and environmentally and economicallyeffective.

Respect for different domestic circumstances andcapacities

Reflect differences in economic and social conditionsamong economies and be consistent with ourcommon but differentiated responsibilities andrespective capabilities.

Flexibility◦ Diverse approaches,

◦ Practical actions and international co-operation across a broad range of areas,

◦ Domestic actions which make measurable contributions to a shared global goal

◦ Importance of the effective operation of market mechanisms.

The important role of low and zero emissions energy sources and technologies ◦ Fossil fuels will continue to play a major role in our

regional and global energy needs.◦ Co-operation, including joint research, development,

deployment and transfer of low and zero emissiontechnologies for their cleaner use, particularly coal.

◦ Enhance energy efficiency and diversify energy sourcesand supplies, including renewable energy.

The importance of forests and land use ◦ Sustainable forest management and land use practices

play a key role in the carbon cycle and need to beaddressed in the post-2012 international climate changearrangement.

Promoting open trade and investment ◦ The pursuit of climate change and energy security

policies must avoid introducing barriers to tradeand investment (open trade, investment andenvironmental policies).

Support for effective adaptation strategies ◦ Adapting to climate change impacts is a priority for

domestic development strategies which should besupported by the international community,including through appropriate policy exchanges,financing, capacity building and technologytransfer.

Need to highlight the importance ofimproving energy efficiency by workingtowards achieving an APEC-wide regionalaspirational goal of a reduction in energyintensity of at least 25 per cent by 2030 (with2005 as the base year);

◦ Asia-Pacific Network for Energy Technology (APNet)to strengthen collaboration on energy research inthe region particularly in areas such as clean fossilenergy, renewable energy sources and energyefficiency.

ADB’s initial activities on climate change were catalyzed by the coming into force of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

ADB’s earlier focus has been on climate mitigation, i.e, modalities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport, energy and industrial sectors,

The first Technical Assistance on climate adaptation being piloted by the Asian Development Bank◦ Mainstreaming climate adaptation into national

development planning, program, and sectorpolicy

◦ Develop guidelines and manual formainstreaming process

◦ Undertake adaptive capacity development(awareness, training, and seminars) at technicaland high policy making levels

The UNEP expected accomplishments are:

(a) That adaptation planning, financing and cost-effective preventative

actions are increasingly incorporated into national development

processes that are supported by scientific information, integrated

climate impact assessments and local climate data;

(b) That countries make sound policy, technology, and investment choices

that lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and potential co-

benefits, with a focus on clean and renewable energy sources, energy

efficiency and energy conservation;

UNEP MTS-Climate Change

Evaluation and

Monitoring

Implementing

Adaptation

Mainstreaming

Adaptation

Undertaking

Assessments

Tools, Methods

And Data

Capacity

Building

Awareness

Raising

THE ADAPTATION THROUGH RISK REDUCTION FRAMEWORK AND PROCESS

Mainstreaming Adaptation

through Risk Reduction

Guidelines for Adaptation

Mainstreaming (GAM)

Climate Profile

(CSP)

Project

Adaptation Brief

(PAB)

Climate Support

Kit

Monitoring and

Evaluation

Process

Reflecting Climate Risks in

Infrastructure Design and Local

Level Decision Making

Demonstrated by

“Climate Proofing” a specific

infrastructure development

projects

Reflecting Climate Risks in

Land use Planning, Regulations and Permitting

Demonstrated by

“Climate Proofing” such instruments as

the Building Code, EIA Regulations and Procedures,

and Health Regulations

Reflecting Climate Risks in

National Development Planning

Demonstrated by

“Climate Proofing”

National Strategic Development Plans

The adaptation planning, financing andcost-effective preventative actions mustbe increasingly incorporated into nationaldevelopment processes that are supportedby scientific information, integratedclimate impact assessments and localclimate data;

The countries must make sound policy,technology, and investment choices thatlead to a reduction in greenhouse gasemissions and potential co- benefits, witha focus on clean and renewable energysources and energy efficiency.