Climate Change

Task Coordinator: Dr Hasan Moinuddin
Climate Change Task Group: Lothar Linde, Ville Hokka, Sumit Pokhrel, and Dawood Ghaznavi

The GMS Core Environment Program aims to assess risks and vulnerabilities from climate change within the GMS Economic Corridors with special focus on:

1. local livelihoods and ecosystem services;
2. agriculture and food security;
3. energy (hydropower in particular);
4. tourism (with special focus on ecotourism);
5. transport; and the
6. GMS Vientiane Plan of Action.

Events

• Mainstreaming Climate Change at ADB: Thailand Country Consultation on the Climate Change Implementation Plans, 11-13 February 2009
• Climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces of PRC, Thailand and Viet Nam. Workshop under Risks and Adaptation to Climate Change in BCI Pilot Sites in PRC, Thailand and Viet Nam. Implementing Agency: Murdoch University and partners, 24-26 February 2009, Hanoi, Viet Nam [Agenda] [List of Participants]

Ongoing Activities and Progress to date

• Valuation of Ecosystem Services in Xishuangbanna Biodiversity Conservation Corridor Initiative Pilot Site, China [Report] [Presentation at ERSEC International Conference - Beijing, 4 May 2009]
• Preparation of REDD Proposal linking Tenasserim Biodiversity Corridor and Submission of REDD R-PIN by Thailand’s Department of National Parks (DNP) to the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) [R-PIN] [Draft]
• The 2^nd GMS Development Dialogue, GMS: Climate Makers or Climate Takers? Understanding and Responding to the Challenges of Climate Change, 21^st May 2008, ADB’s Thailand Resident Mission, Bangkok Video-Linked with ADB Resident Missions in Beijing, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, and Hanoi ...more details
• Carbon Neutral Transport Corridor (CNTC): Pre-feasibility Assessment on the North-South and East West Economic Corridors [Report] [Presentation]
• Risks and Adaptation to Climate Change in BCI Pilot Sites in PRC, Thailand and Viet Nam. Implementing Agency: Murdoch University [Progress Report]
  • Capacity Development Workshop: Regional Air Pollution, Royal Princess Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, 8-10 October 2008 [List of Participants]
• Mapping of Climate Change activities in Thailand funded by Government and development partners [PDF: 342KB | 22 pages]

Planned Activities under the Supplement to ADB RETA 6289 (2009 – 2011)

North South Economic Corridor (Cluster 1)

• Co-benefits of Ecosystem Restoration, Poverty Reduction and Community Based Preparedness for Climate Change [PDF: 72KB | 3 pages]

East West Economic Corridor (Cluster 3)

• Climate Change Mitigation through Carbon Sequestration and Reducing Carbon Emissions from Freight Traffic [PDF: 114KB | 4 pages]
• Assessment of Climate Change Impacts on Agricultural Production [PDF: 64KB | 3 pages]

Potential future engagements

• GMS Carbon Neutral Transport Corridors: Policy Framework: Part 1 Feasibility Study for Offsetting Carbon Emissions from Freight Traffic in the GMS Transport Corridors for 2011-2025. Study to identify policy, incentive framework, and technical feasibility covering GMS north-south and east-west transport corridors. Outputs will include draft policy and regulatory framework for generating co-benefits of climate change mitigation and air pollution reduction.
• GMS Carbon Neutral Transport Corridors: Investment Phase (2011-2015)
• GMS Carbon Neutral Transport Corridors: Greening Feasibility report (2009-2010)
• Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and land Degradation (REDD) in BCI landscapes in Cambodia, Lao PDR, PRC, and Viet Nam
• Integrating Climate Change Considerations and Risk Management in Lao, PDR Socio-Economic Development Thinking and 2011-2015 SEDP
• Integrating Climate Change Risk Assessment in GMS Agriculture/Natural Resources, Energy, Tourism and Transport sector strategies and investment plans

Presentations and Papers

• Anticipated Impacts of Climate Change in the GMS and Challenges to Adaptation; presentation by Hasan Moinuddin delivered to Regional Forum on the MRC Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative, 2-3 February 2009, Bangkok, Thailand [Presentation][Agenda]
• Climate Change and Food Security: Threats and Opportunities; presentation by Javed Hussain Mir delivered to GMS Working Group on Agriculture
• Climate Change, Risks and Vulnerabilities in the Greater Mekong Subregion; presentation by Hasan Moinuddin delivered to Issues and Sustainable Options for the Mekong. An Environment Seminar for GMS Officials and Executives, 27 February 2008
• Mekong Region Could Help Significantly Reduce Global Warming by Javed Hussain Mir and Alastair Fraser
• A ton in hand and two in the bush: SOS to Bali by Javed Hussain Mir and Alastair Fraser