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RI at crossroads in climate action journey in wake of pandemic
Southeast Asia could unlock a long-term competitive advantage with climate action through targeted localized national measures that are complemented by collaborative regional efforts. These are the findings of Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) report — Climate Action & Sustainability: Advantage in Adversity — released at the recent Singapore Summit.
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Water crisis: Residents of Citapen hamlet in Weninggalih village, Bogor, West Java, carry away water taken from a well during the dry season on July 25, 2019. Prolonged droughts in many parts of the world have been linked to climate change. (The Jakarta Post/P.J. Leo)
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OVID-19 has triggered widespread disruption around the globe, presenting nations with an unprecedented opportunity to pursue policies, investments and behavioral changes that mitigate climate impact and build a sustainable future. Indonesia is poised to unlock significant value as one of the key pillars in Southeast Asia’s climate transformation.
Shared action for shared change
Southeast Asia could unlock a long-term competitive advantage with climate action through targeted localized national measures that are complemented by collaborative regional efforts. These are the findings of Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) report — Climate Action & Sustainability: Advantage in Adversity — released at the recent Singapore Summit.
Southeast Asia is acutely vulnerable to the worst impacts of climate change. Over 75 million citizens in the region live on low-lying land that is 5 meters above sea level or lower. As much as 11.9 percent of the total regional population could be displaced due to rising sea levels, more than double the global average.
With a population of approximately 270 million citizens spread over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is likely to face severe climate impacts over the coming decades.
As the region’s largest economy, and consequently largest carbon emitter, Indonesia is central to regional efforts to build back better. Indonesia emits 229 megatons of emissions annually, accounting for 5 percent of global and over 60 percent of Southeast Asian emissions when taking into account land use, land-use change and forestry.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic offers a unique catalyst for change, with more than US$290 billion committed to recovery in Southeast Asia to date. With just 0.5 percent of that figure currently pledged to sustainability-focused investments, BCG’s report makes clear the vital importance of targeted policies that address the unique circumstances of each nation.
