Thai Prime Minister launches knowledge platform and network for climate adaptation in Asia

Wednesday, 07 October 2009 11:57

Launch coincided with Bangkok hosting the current round of negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

SEI and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are working together on the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Platform for Asia, funded by the Swedish Environmental Secretariat for Asia (SENSA) at USD 3 million over three years. The platform began activities in 2009.

The UN body is also promoting an adaptation network in the Asia Pacific region, which is working in collaboration with the knowledge platform. Their joint efforts will help countries in Asia adapt to the impacts of climate change through research, capacity building and sharing of information.

Thailand greatly affected by climate change
During the launch, which took place Saturday 3 October 2009, the Prime Minister said that Thailand’s economy, based on rice exports and tourism, will be greatly affected by climate change, and that urgent action is therefore needed in order for adaptation to become a part of development planning.

- Sustainable development and the ‘sufficiency economy’ promoted by His Royal Highness the King of Thailand are essential components of green growth, he said, acknowledging that not enough is being done on an international level.

- I appreciate the difficulties faced by the climate change negotiators, because the road to Copenhagen will not be a smooth one.

Over 200 guests, including climate change negotiators from many countries, attended the launch. Speakers at the event included Thailand’s Minister for Environment Mr Suwit Khunkitti, the former Minister of Environment, Science and Technology of Nepal, Mr Ganesha Shah, and the Vice-Minister of Global Environmental Affairs of Japan, Mr Kazuhiko Takemoto, and Swedish ambassador to Thailand Mr Lennart Linnér. Dr Lailai Li, SEI’s Asia Centre director, made a presentation at the event.

Read more about the adaptation platform here

Adaptation rising on the climate change agenda
The high-level representation at the 3 October event reflects the rise of adaptation on the climate change agenda, said SEI Research Fellow Dr Lisa Schipper.

- At one time, discussing the need for adaptation was unpopular because it showed a lack of faith that countries could actually reverse the impacts of climate change, however, adaptation has become a pressing need in this region, because the impacts of climate change are already being felt, she said.

The United Nations Environment Programme reports that growth in carbon dioxide emissions from energy and industry has exceeded even the most fossil fuel-intensive scenarios. Global emissions grew by 3.5 per cent each year between 2000 and 2007.

The partner agencies are promoting the latest climate science among decision makers in the target countries, while supporting research and national stock takes of institutions and policies. Measures to include climate change in national development plans will be a special focus.

Read more about the adaptation platform here