Climate change poses risk to AEC
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The leaders of Southeast Asian nations must step up efforts in saving the environment as climate change threatened to derail the 2015 economic integration goal set by Asean, a coalition announced yesterday.
Climate change is a critical issue in the region because countries do not have the capacity to cope with its escalating effects, according to Asean for a Fair, Ambitious and Binding Climate Deal (A-FAB), a coalition led by Greenpeace Southeast Asia and Oxfam.
“Its impacts also have far-reaching social and economic consequences, affecting health, agriculture, security and the economy. Climate change is set to exacerbate the economic disparity between and within nations,” A-FAB said.
Oxfam policy and research officer Riza Bernabe said developed nations should provide substantial initial capitalisation of the Green Climate Fund to fulfil their commitment to mobilise US$100 billion per year to support climate mitigation in developing countries, including in Southeast Asia.
