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    India’s Fourth Biennial Update Report Highlights Progress in Climate Action

    OWSA Staff
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    India’s Fourth Biennial Update Report Highlights Progress in Climate Action

    The energy sector’s dominance in India’s emissions profile is consistent with its role as the backbone of the nation’s development. However, India has made substantial progress in diversifying its energy mix with the rapid growth of solar and wind energy, coupled with the expansion of large hydropower and other renewables.

    India has submitted its 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), according to a release by the Press Information Bureau. The report, submitted on December 30, 2024, outlines India’s greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory for 2020 and details the nation’s strides in sustainable development, mitigation efforts, and contributions to global climate action. The report claims that the greenhouse gas emissions have declined despite global challenges.

    One of the standout achievements highlighted in the BUR-4 is the reduction in India’s total GHG emissions. In 2020, India’s emissions, excluding Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF), amounted to 2,959 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e). Including the LULUCF sector, net emissions stood at 2,437 million tonnes of CO2e. This marks a significant 7.93 per cent decrease compared to 2019, a feat accomplished despite the global economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The energy sector remained the largest contributor to GHG emissions, accounting for 75.66 per cent of the total, followed by agriculture (13.72 per cent), Industrial Processes and Product Use (8.06 per cent ), and waste (2.56 per cent). However, India’s forest and tree cover played a pivotal role in offsetting emissions, sequestering approximately 522 million tonnes of CO2 – equivalent to 22 per cent  of the country’s total carbon dioxide emissions in 2020.

    Progress Towards Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

    India’s BUR-4 underscores the country’s substantial progress in meeting its NDC targets under the Paris Agreement. Notable achievements include:

    • Decoupling Economic Growth from Emissions: Between 2005 and 2020, India reduced the emission intensity of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 36 per cent, exceeding its voluntary target of a 33-35 per cent reduction by 2030.
    • Expanding Non-Fossil Energy Sources: As of October 2024, non-fossil sources constituted 46.52 per cent of India’s installed electricity generation capacity. The total installed capacity of renewable power, including large hydropower projects, reached 203.22 GW. Since 2014, renewable power capacity, excluding large hydropower, has grown 4.5 times to 156.25 GW.
    • Enhancing Carbon Sinks: From 2005 to 2021, India’s forest and tree cover added an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Currently, forest and tree cover account for 25.17 per cent of the country’s geographical area.

    A Balanced Approach to Climate and Development

    Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, lauded the report’s findings in a social media post, emphasizing that India is “leading by example in sustainable growth.” He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for aligning economic progress with meaningful climate action.

    India’s approach reflects its adherence to the principles of equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), as outlined in the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. Despite its relatively low contribution to global emissions historically and presently, India continues to take proactive measures to address climate change while pursuing its developmental aspirations.

    Challenges and Support Needs

    The BUR-4 also highlights the challenges India faces in scaling up its climate action. Constraints related to finance, technology, and capacity-building remain significant. Addressing these gaps will require enhanced international cooperation, especially as India transitions to a low-carbon economy and aims to meet its ambitious climate targets.

    The report calls for greater access to climate finance and technology transfer to support mitigation and adaptation initiatives. It also underscores the need for capacity-building programs to equip stakeholders across sectors with the skills and knowledge necessary for sustainable development.

    Sectoral Insights

    Energy Sector

    The energy sector’s dominance in India’s emissions profile is consistent with its role as the backbone of the nation’s development. However, India has made substantial progress in diversifying its energy mix. The rapid growth of solar and wind energy, coupled with the expansion of large hydropower and other renewables, has reduced the sector’s carbon footprint.

    Agriculture

    Agriculture, which accounts for 13.72 per cent of emissions, remains a critical area for mitigation efforts. Initiatives promoting sustainable farming practices, efficient water management, and the adoption of climate-resilient crops are being scaled up to reduce emissions while ensuring food security.

    Forest and Land Use

    India’s commitment to enhancing its carbon sinks is evident in its growing forest and tree cover. Programs like the National Afforestation Programme and Green India Mission are pivotal in this regard, contributing significantly to carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation.

    Waste Management

    Although the waste sector’s contribution to emissions is relatively small (2.56 per cent), it presents significant opportunities for improvement. Enhanced waste segregation, recycling, and the adoption of waste-to-energy technologies are key strategies for reducing emissions from this sector.

    International Recognition

    India’s efforts have garnered international recognition, with the country being hailed as a leader in renewable energy deployment and climate action. Its achievements in reducing emission intensity and expanding renewable energy capacity are seen as exemplary for other developing nations.

    The ministry said that India’s 4th Biennial Update Report to the UNFCCC showcases the nation’s unwavering commitment to balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship. The substantial progress in reducing emissions, enhancing carbon sinks, and advancing renewable energy underscores India’s role as a key player in global climate action. However, the report also highlights the need for sustained international support to overcome challenges and achieve long-term sustainability goals.

    As the world grapples with the urgent need to combat climate change, India’s BUR-4 serves as a testament to the power of proactive, inclusive, and equitable climate policies. With continued efforts and global cooperation, India is poised to lead the way toward a more sustainable and resilient future.

    Sri Lanka Engages IMF for Restructuring of State Owned Enterprise; Prioritises Poverty Alleviation and Rural Development

    OWSA Contributor
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    Sri Lanka Engages IMF for Restructuring of State Owned Enterprise; Prioritises Poverty Alleviation and Rural Development

    Dissanayake reiterated his government’s commitment to a political culture free from nepotism and corruption, aiming for inclusive growth and digital transformation. His address highlighted the urgent need for systemic reforms, including restoring the rule of law, combating corruption, and protecting public assets.

    Sri Lanka’s newly elected government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the National People’s Power (NPP) party, has outlined a transformative agenda focusing on economic reform, rural empowerment, and the restructuring of state owned enterprise. While maintaining a firm stance against privatisation as a first option, the government is working closely with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to navigate these reforms and address structural issues in the economy.

    Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa emphasised the government’s commitment to retaining state-owned enterprises (SOEs) under public ownership wherever possible. Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, Jayatissa stated that the government is evaluating SOEs to determine their potential contributions to national development.

    “Our government policy is different,” he said, contrasting with the approach of the previous administration. “We have handed over these institutions to ministries to assess them and see how best we can use them to the country’s development.”

    Jayatissa clarified that privatisation would be considered only as a secondary measure if internal efforts to reform and manage these institutions fail. “Our first effort is to keep these institutions under the government and make them contribute to the country’s development,” he explained. “If that effort fails, only then will we consider the second step.”

    SOEs, including SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka Telecom, and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, have long been plagued by mismanagement and inefficiencies, burdening taxpayers. Jayatissa noted that discussions with the IMF remain flexible and aim to align with public interests while addressing fiscal challenges. “The IMF has not put forward rigid conditions that can’t be changed,” he said, underscoring the government’s focus on minimising public impact.

    Economic Reform for Rural Empowerment

    In a speech launching the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, President Dissanayake outlined his administration’s vision for economic reforms aimed at bridging the urban-rural divide and eradicating poverty. “Economic benefits must reach rural communities,” the President said. “An economy concentrated in the hands of a small group can never bring stability to society.”

    Dissanayake reiterated his government’s commitment to a political culture free from nepotism and corruption, aiming for inclusive growth and digital transformation. His address highlighted the urgent need for systemic reforms, including restoring the rule of law, combating corruption, and protecting public assets.

    “Our nation has faced severe challenges, leading to a state of near-collapse,” he said, reflecting on the country’s recovery from bankruptcy. While acknowledging surface-level economic stability achieved in 2024, he stressed the importance of deeper structural reforms in 2025 to ensure long-term sustainability.

    Clean Sri Lanka Initiative: A Holistic Vision

    The “Clean Sri Lanka” project aims to rejuvenate the country’s environmental, social, and economic landscape. Beyond addressing environmental concerns, the initiative seeks to instill a new value system emphasising inclusivity, empathy, and respect for life.

    Dissanayake highlighted alarming statistics, including 484 elephants killed in human-wildlife conflicts and 2,321 lives lost due to accidents in 2023 alone. These figures, he argued, reflect a societal disregard for life and shared resources. “It is essential to heal our society and introduce a new system of values and principles,” he said.

    The initiative also focuses on improving road safety, ensuring food security, and integrating marginalised communities, including the elderly and disabled. “A society that lacks empathy and compassion cannot be considered just or humane,” the President asserted.

    Leadership Through Selfless Service

    President Dissanayake commended the voluntary contributions of experts and leaders in key sectors, including aviation, telecommunications, and economic policy. These individuals, he noted, have prioritised national progress over personal gain, setting an example for collective effort and responsibility.

    “This is a moment for us to rise as a nation,” he declared, calling on citizens to seize the opportunity for transformative change. “Is this responsibility solely that of the government? No. This is a collective effort.”

    Yet, despite significant progress, Sri Lanka faces substantial hurdles, including public debt, inefficiency in state mechanisms, and environmental degradation. The government’s dialogue with the IMF remains pivotal in addressing these challenges while safeguarding public interests. Jayatissa assured that discussions are progressing with an emphasis on minimising pressure on the populace.

    President Dissanayake concluded his address by urging unity and collective action. “Throughout history, nations have risen through collective effort,” he said. “We must rise together, setting aside divisions and distrust.”

    With a clear focus on inclusive growth, sustainable development, and governance reform, Sri Lanka’s leadership is charting a path toward a more equitable and resilient future. As 2025 begins, the government’s initiatives signal a decisive break from past practices, laying the groundwork for a nation striving to achieve its full potential.

    Israel Attacks Push Gaza Healthcare ‘To Brink of Collapse’, Says UN Human Rights Office

    OWSA Contributor
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    Israel Attacks Push Gaza Healthcare ‘To Brink of Collapse’, Says UN Human Rights Office

    The report says that under certain circumstances, the deliberate destruction of healthcare facilities may amount to a form of collective punishment, which would constitute a war crime and breach of IHL, which would also constitute a war crime.

    Israel’s pattern of deadly attacks on and near hospitals in Gaza, and associated combat, have pushed the healthcare system to the brink of total collapse, with catastrophic effect on Palestinians’ access to health and medical care, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said on Tuesday.

    A report published by the Office documents attacks carried out between 12 October 2023 and 30 June 2024, raises serious concerns about Israel’s compliance with international law. Medical personnel and hospitals are specifically protected under international humanitarian law, provided they do not commit – or are not used to commit, outside their humanitarian function – acts harmful to the enemy.

    “As if the relentless bombing and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza were not enough, the one sanctuary where Palestinians should have felt safe in fact became a death trap,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. “The protection of hospitals during warfare is paramount and must be respected by all sides, at all times,”.

    The study has been released just days after the last functioning major healthcare facility in northern Gaza, Kama Adwan Hospital, was taken out of service after a raid by Israeli military forces, leaving the population of North Gaza with almost no access to adequate health care.

    Staff and patients were forced to flee or were taken into custody, with many reports of torture and ill-treatment. The director of the hospital was taken into custody and his fate and whereabouts are unknown.

    Possible war crimes, crimes against humanity

    During the period covered by the report, there were at least 136 strikes on at least 27 hospitals and 12 other medical facilities, claiming significant casualties among doctors, nurses, medics and other civilians, and causing significant damage, if not complete destruction of civilian infrastructure.

    The report explains that, in the exceptional circumstances when medical personnel, ambulances, and hospitals lose their special protection because they fulfil the strict criteria to be considered military objectives, any attack on them must still comply with the fundamental principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack. Failure to respect any of these principles constitutes a breach of international humanitarian law.

    Intentionally directing attacks against hospitals and places where the sick and wounded are treated, provided they are not military objectives; intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such, or against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities, including the launching of an indiscriminate attack resulting in death or injury to civilians; and intentionally launching disproportionate attacks, are also war crimes, the report adds.

    Under certain circumstances, the deliberate destruction of healthcare facilities may amount to a form of collective punishment, which would constitute a war crime and breach of IHL, which would also constitute a war crime.

    The report also notes that several of these acts, if committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population, further to a State or, in case of non-State actor, organisational policy, may also amount to crimes against humanity.

    The report says, “under international human rights law (IHRL), attacks on hospitals implicate an array of violations, including the rights to highest standards of health, food, water and ultimately the right to life.”

    It adds, “Israel’s international human rights law obligations apply in Gaza, by virtue of the power and control it exercises over territory and people and the enjoyment of their rights in Gaza, particularly further to its status as an occupying power.”

    Were Hospitals Being Used for Military Purposes?

    On 21 November 2023, at around 1300 hours, a projectile reportedly hit the third and fourth floors of the northern facade of the Reconstructive Surgery Building of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) at Al Awda Hospital in Jabalya, North Gaza. The building is situated approximately 270 meters southwest of the Indonesian Hospital. This incident resulted in the killing of three doctors, including two MSF staff members, and one patient’s companion. Three additional hospital staff, including two nurses, sustained injuries.

    The strike also caused significant structural damage to the affected floors, with the munition likely entering through the windows on the northern facade of the building. An assessment by OHCHR military experts of the damage and IDF’s positions in the area suggest that the strike was most likely the result of IDF artillery shelling.

    In most instances, Israel alleges that the hospitals were being improperly used for military purposes by Palestinian armed groups, the report states. However, insufficient information has so far been made available to substantiate these allegations, which have remained vague and broad, and in some cases appear contradicted by publicly available information.

    If these allegations were verified, this would raise serious concerns that Palestinian armed groups were using the presence of civilians to intentionally shield themselves from attack, which would amount to a war crime.

    The report says that despite the extensive damage and destruction caused to Al Awda Hospital and its vicinity during the presence of IDF troops around the hospital, “the IDF has not provided any comment regarding the 21 November incident, nor is OHCHR aware of the IDF having made any allegations that Al Awda Hospital was being used by Palestinian armed groups for military purposes.”

    “This raises serious concerns that Al Awda Hospital was struck by the IDF in violation of international humanitarian law, including the principle of distinction between civilian objects and military objectives,” the report says.

    500 Medical Professionals Reported Killed, Mass Graves Found

    The impacts of the Israeli military’s operations in and around hospitals, and associated combat, extend far beyond the physical structures, the report finds.

    Women, especially pregnant women, have suffered gravely. Many women have given birth with no or minimal pre- and post-natal care, increasing the risk of preventable maternal and child mortality. The UN Human Rights Office received reports that newborns had died because their mothers were unable to attend postnatal check-ups or reach medical facilities to give birth.

    The increasingly limited healthcare system prevented many of those who had sustained trauma injuries from receiving timely and possibly life-saving treatment. By the end of April 2024, according to the Ministry of Health of the State of Palestine (Palestinian MOH), 77,704 Palestinians were injured. Many injured reportedly died while waiting to be hospitalized or treated. According to the Palestinian MOH, by the end of June 2024, more than 500 medical professionals had been killed in Gaza since 7 October.

    The Israeli military’s first major operation against a hospital involved Al Shifa Medical Complex in November 2023. It raided the facility a second time in March 2024, leaving it in complete ruin by 1 April. Subsequent to the withdrawal by the Israeli military, three mass graves were reportedly found at the hospital, with at least 80 corpses retrieved, raising serious concerns that crimes under international law may have been committed. Some of these bodies were reportedly found with catheters and cannulas still attached, suggesting they had been patients.

    Possible Targeting of Medical Staff, Patients

    In some of the attacks, the Israeli military likely used both heavy weapons and air dropped munitions with wide area effects, the report finds. It appears that an MK 83 munition was used in the 10 January airstrike in front of Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al-Balah, Middle Gaza. Reportedly, at least 12 people were killed, including a journalist and several internally displaced persons (IDPs), and 35 people were injured. The use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in a densely populated area raises serious concerns of an indiscriminate attack.

    The report finds that another feature of such attacks has been the apparent targeting of people inside hospitals, but that in most of these cases it was difficult to determine attribution. The UN Human Rights Office verified multiple cases of people being shot dead at Al Awda Hospital in Jabalya, including a volunteer nurse who was fatally shot in the chest while looking out of a window on 7 December 2023.

    “It is essential that there be independent, thorough and transparent investigations of all of these incidents, and full accountability for all violations of international humanitarian and human rights law which have taken place,” said Mr. Türk. “All medical workers arbitrarily detained must be immediately released.”

    “It must also be a priority for Israel, as the occupying power, to ensure and facilitate access to adequate healthcare for the Palestinian population, and for future recovery and reconstruction efforts to prioritise the restoration of the medical capacity which has been destroyed over the last 14 months of intense conflict.”

    Trump 2.0 Will See Stronger US Security Ties with India

    East Asia Forum
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    Trump 2.0 Will See Stronger US Security Ties with India

    Although challenges for New Delhi could arise in the form of trade and immigration policies that previously affected the Indian tech workforce, bilateral ties can be expected to consolidate existing frameworks while focusing on new avenues for expansion.

    By Pratnashree Basu

    While US president-elect Donald Trump’s brand of politics is often described as unpredictable, transactional and even abrasive, India is likely to be hopeful but realistic about relations with the United States for the next four years. The expansion of bilateral ties — which have accelerated in the last decade — looks likely given that the relationship enjoys bipartisan support in the United States and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares a close rapport with Trump. Trump’s approach towards India will likely retain core elements from his first term, with adjustments to address shifting global dynamics.

    India views Trump’s emphasis on countering China as a significant convergence point. Trump’s first term shifted US focus from the ‘Asia Pacific’ to the ‘Indo-Pacific’, expanding strategic engagement to include India as a vital counterweight to China’s influence. Trump established foundational changes in US defence and security organisation, including renaming the US Pacific Command to the US Indo-Pacific Command in 2018.

    His administration also created structural changes within the Office of the Secretary of Defence to group Indo-Pacific allies and partners into focused units, separating them from China-related concerns. A stronger US security posture is on the cards in Trump 2.0, indicating a renewed push for strengthening bilateral defence and security ties with ‘like-minded’ countries. India is among the key partners in this effort and an important foothold for advancing the shared vision of a rules-based Indo-Pacific.

    Trump’s preference for bilateral ties over multilateral and institutional frameworks could limit deeper institutional ties with countries in the Indo-Pacific. While Washington’s involvement in the region through groupings — such as the Quad or the newly formed ‘Squad’ — is likely to expand, both are intentionally loose platforms without any institutional foundation.

    ‘Like-Minded’ Countries

    While he may deprioritise institutional commitments to organisations such as ASEAN, Trump’s policies could strengthen India’s leadership role as a natural partner for the United States in countering China. This is primarily because, for Trump, the three other Quad countries are vital strategic anchors across the Atlantic.

    Given that the role of ‘like-minded’ countries assumes greater importance for the United States with each passing year, Trump 2.0 will continue building on his earlier role in reinforcing security alliances, such as extending the US–Japan security treaty to include the Senkaku Islands, advancing US troop rotations in Australia and bringing the Philippines back into the US alliance network.

    India has become central to US defence and strategic thinking in the Indo-Pacific. During Trump’s first term, defence ties deepened with the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Cooperation. Though these agreements were already in the pipeline when Trump first assumed office, their finalisation during his term facilitated enhanced military collaboration and intelligence sharing, particularly in defence technology and critical sectors such as space and cyber-security.

    During Trump’s first term, under the ‘America First’ doctrine, the United States continued its policy of arms sales to India. The Trump 2.0 administration could reinforce these gains, helping India enhance its naval presence in the Indian Ocean and its ability to counter China’s maritime assertiveness. Existing initiatives, such as the United States–India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies, would align well with Trump’s emphasis on ensuring technological superiority.

    inclusive Indo-Pacific Vision

    With its geographic position in the Indian Ocean and growing military and economic capabilities, India plays a pivotal role in US efforts to ensure freedom of navigation, safeguard critical sea lanes and promote regional connectivity initiatives. Trump’s previous administration was instrumental in revitalising the Quad partnership, promoting it as a mechanism to address Chinese assertiveness across strategic and economic domains.

    At the same time, India also advocates for an inclusive Indo-Pacific approach that is not solely predicated on the containment of China. While Trump may favour a more confrontational stance, India, along with countries like Japan and Australia have consistently supported an inclusive Indo-Pacific vision that goes beyond a singular focus on containing China.

    While the United States may pressure India to assume a larger security role in the Indian Ocean, which aligns with India’s ambitions, India will navigate cautiously if its policy of strategic autonomy risks overextension. Trump’s tendency to view alliances through a cost-benefit lens might lead to heightened expectations for India to share more of the regional security burden.

    India is likely to seek to leverage US support to strengthen its Indo-Pacific role while maintaining flexibility to safeguard its strategic partnerships with other powers, including Russia. India would also push for continuity in Quad initiatives, defence modernisation and technology cooperation while resisting excessive demands for alignment that could limit its autonomy.

    Trade Barriers

    During Trump’s first term, US–India trade relations faced challenges including tariffs, the revocation of India’s ‘Generalised System of Preferences’ status and pressure from the United States on India to reduce trade barriers and enforce intellectual property protections, while his restrictive immigration policies significantly impacted the Indian tech workforce. Trump’s return may revive these policies, affecting trade dynamics, the Indian diaspora and IT sector ties, prompting India to focus on domestic talent development and advocate for more favourable visa terms.

    Meanwhile, Trump has appointed Indian-American venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence, positioning him in a pivotal role in shaping AI policy and immigration reform. This appointment also coincides with discussions on eliminating the country cap for H-1B visas, a move that could greatly benefit Indian skilled workers facing long green card backlogs.

    In late December, on his last trip of 2024, India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, met Michael Waltz, US president-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for US National Security Advisor, who is a key advocate for India–United States relations, having co-chaired the Congressional India Caucus and actively supported many India-related legislation.

    From an Indian standpoint, Trump’s 2024 win is a positive development, promising a continuation of strengthening security ties. India’s diplomatic strategy must balance economic interests with trade-offs on strategic autonomy and regional security. The Trump 2.0 administration will demand pragmatic diplomacy, leveraging India’s strategic importance while managing US demands for reciprocity.

    Pratnashree Basu is Associate Fellow at the Indo-Pacific at Observer Research Foundation, Kolkata, India.

    This piece has been sourced from the East Asia Forum of the Australian National University.

    India’s Jal Jeevan Mission is Ensuring Safe Drinking Water

    OWSA Staff
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    India’s Jal Jeevan Mission is Ensuring Safe Drinking Water

    90 per cent  of villages in India have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus, marking a substantial increase from 1 lakh ODF Plus villages in December 2022 to over 5 lakh by December 2023.

    In 2023, the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti made significant strides in advancing its flagship programs — Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen (SBM-G). These initiatives aim to provide safe drinking water and achieve universal sanitation coverage across rural India, the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation said in its end of year review report.

    Launched in August 2019, Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) seeks to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections to all rural households by 2024. As of December 2023, the mission has reached a significant milestone, providing nearly 14 crore rural households with tap water connections, up from 11 crore at the beginning of the year.

    The mission’s impact extends beyond mere access to water. A report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in June 2023 highlighted that ensuring safely managed drinking water for all households in India could prevent nearly 400,000 deaths caused by diarrheal diseases and avert approximately 14 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) related to these diseases. This achievement could result in estimated cost savings of up to $101 billion, underscoring the mission’s significant multiplier effect on health.

    In terms of employment generation, a study by the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, released on August 11, 2023, assessed the employment potential of JJM at 2.8 crore person-years during the construction phase and 11.8 lakh person-years annually for operation and maintenance.

    Addressing Water Quality

    Ensuring water quality remains a primary objective of JJM. The program promotes regular testing of water samples at both source and delivery points. Currently, there are 2,113 water testing laboratories across the country, with 1,381 accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). These labs are now accessible to the public for testing water samples at nominal rates. In the fiscal year 2023-24, over 54 lakh water samples have been tested in laboratories.

    To promote community participation, especially among women, at least five women in every village are being trained to use Field Test Kits (FTKs) for testing water quality at the village level. To date, more than 23.5 lakh women have been trained in 4.97 lakh villages. During the fiscal year 2023-24, over 88 lakh water samples have been tested using FTKs.

    The government prioritises districts affected by Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) to ensure potable tap water supply under JJM. In 61 such districts across five states, tap water connections have increased from 8 lakh (2.71 per cent ) to 2.09 crore (70.82 per cent ) households, leading to improved health outcomes in these regions. Additionally, as of July 20, 2023, safe drinking water has been provided in all arsenic and fluoride-affected habitations under JJM. This includes 14,020 arsenic-affected and 7,996 fluoride-affected habitations.

    Advancing Rural Sanitation

    Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen (SBM-G), launched on October 2, 2014, aims to eliminate open defecation and improve solid and liquid waste management in rural India. As of January 3, 2024, 90 per cent  of villages in India have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus, marking a substantial increase from 1 lakh ODF Plus villages in December 2022 to over 5 lakh by December 2023.

    In recognition of women’s contributions to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives, the President of India conferred the ‘Swachh Sujal Shakti Samman’ 2023 to 36 women WASH champions. This honor underscores the pivotal role women play in driving and sustaining sanitation and water supply initiatives at the grassroots level.

    The ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign, conducted from September 15 to October 2, 2023, witnessed mass participation from over 109 crore people. Notably, 53 crore individuals undertook ‘Shramdaan for Swachhata,’ averaging 3 crore daily participations. This massive engagement reflects the community’s commitment to cleanliness and sanitation.

    Future Outlook

    For the fiscal year 2023-24, the government allocated a gross budgetary support of ₹70,000 crore for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission. This substantial investment underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring safe drinking water for all rural households by 2024.

    The achievements of 2024 highlight the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation’s dedication to creating a ‘Swachh Sujal’ nation. With continued efforts and community participation, the vision of universal access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation in rural India is on a promising trajectory toward realisation.

    2024 in Review: Climate Deal Disappoints, MPox Surges

    SciDevNet
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    2024 in Review: Climate Deal Disappoints, MPox Surges

    The hottest year on record has ended with disappointment for vulnerable countries as climate cash fell short. The floods in Kenya and heatwaves in Asia underline need for research. 2024 also Witnessed the plight of children left unvaccinated as MPox surged.

    By Dann Okoth

    As 2024 drew to a close, a global climate gathering failed to deliver on cash promises, prompting delegates from vulnerable countries to walk out of the talks in despair.

    Hailed as the “finance COP”, the UN climate summit COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, ended with a seemingly generous deal to triple climate finance from the previous US$100 billion a year by 2035 to US$300 billion a year.

    Rich nations also promised to scale the contribution to US$1.3 trillion over the same period, in what might appear to be a significant step forward.

    But for climate vulnerable countries, the deal was glaringly short of the US$6 trillion the UN says is needed to implement climate action plans by 2030, as well as lacking detail on how the target would be achieved.

    The re-election of Donald Trump was another blow for climate prospects, further dampening the mood at the climate negotiations in Baku.

    With his “America First” mantra, Trump showed little regard for international cooperation on global challenges in his previous term in office, withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and signalling an end to America’s role in the World Health Organization (WHO).

    Analysts told SciDev.Net the Trump victory could have far-reaching consequences for global research and development, with climate response and global health the likely casualties.

    Hottest on Record

    All this came in a year when global warming surpassed the threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels for the first time, according to data from the European Union’s satellite-based climate monitoring service Copernicus.

    In May, temperatures in the Philippines and Thailand topped 50 degrees Celsius as an intense heatwave gripped South and South-East Asia. Bangladesh recorded almost 30 days of heatwaves, leading to deaths from heatstroke and school closures.

    Devastating floods in Kenya around the same time were another reminder that climate change impacts are happening right now. Climate scientists told SciDev.Net of the urgent need for more robust mitigation efforts, including flood risk maps and early warning systems.

    In Libya, climate change has been fueling an invasion of tiny red spider mites, leading to huge crop losses, SciDev.Net’s Middle East and North Africa desk reported.

    More research is urgently needed to help countries adapt to this new reality and the research must have immediate, on-the-ground impact, climate specialists also told us.

    Exploring efforts by the science and development sector to respond to these challenges, our Africa Science Focus podcast heard in November how scientists are harnessing gene editing to produce climate-resilient wheat. The resulting wheat varieties are not only resistant to diseases but have added nutritional value, according to researchers.

    In East Africa, climate scientists are building artificial intelligence (AI) into traditional weather forecasting methods to improve the accuracy of extreme weather predictions with minimal cost, SciDev.Net learned.

    MPox on the Rise

    Meanwhile, in global health news, MPox took centre stage, as cases surged in the Democratic Republic of Congo and spread to neighbouring countries, prompting the WHO to declare the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in August.

    A vaccination campaign began in early October but, despite being the most at-risk group, children were not included, even as tens of thousands of child cases were recorded.

    A child with mpox at Miti-Murhesa health centre in South Kivu province. Children in the Democratic Republic of Congo are still awaiting vaccines to protect them from mpox. Copyright: Moise Aganze / SciDev.Net

    More optimistically, our health coverage during the year highlighted how a rare group of HIV-positive people who maintain undetectable levels of the virus in their blood without medication could hold the key to new therapies for others living with the disease.

    Researchers believe a vast majority of those people—so-called “elite controllers”—can suppress the virus without the need for antiretroviral therapy. They say that studying these individuals, who represent about one in 200 of those infected with HIV, could lead to new treatments or even a cure.

    Around the world, strides were also seen in the use of AI for health. Researchers in the UK have developed AI-powered digital avatars to help treat people who hear voices in their heads. The treatment is now being adapted for low-resource settings and will be trialled in India and Ethiopia.

    Not Always Straightforward

    For the scientists bringing us all these stories, reporting is not always straightforward.

    A SciDevnNet investigation, The scientists who risk it all for research, tells the powerful stories of scientists from Brazil, Gaza, the Philippines and elsewhere whose lives are in danger simply because of the research they are pursuing.

    “Threats to scientific freedom … but also threats to the responsible practice of science, are rising globally,” and becoming “more chilling”, said Vivi Stavrou, executive secretary of the committee for freedom and responsibility in science, at the International Science Council.

    Calling on the international science community to step up, she said: “It’s our community. We have an obligation to look at supporting, protecting and strengthening the resilience of the scientific community.”

    This piece has been sourced from SciDev.Net

    Civil Society Trends for 2025: Nine Global Challenges, One Reason for Hope

    Inter Press Service
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    Civil Society Trends for 2025: Nine Global Challenges, One Reason for Hope

    In 2024, civil society won victories in climate and environmental litigation – including in Ecuador, India and Switzerland – to force governments to recognise the human rights impacts of climate change and do more to reduce emissions and curb pollution.

    By Andrew Firmin and Inés M. Pousadela

    It’s been a tumultuous year, and a tough one for struggles for human rights. Civil society’s work to seek social justice and hold the powerful to account has been tested at every turn. Civil society has kept holding the line, resisting power grabs and regressive legislation, calling out injustice and claiming some victories, often at great cost. And things aren’t about to get any easier, as key challenges identified in 2024 are likely to intensify in 2025.

    1. More people are likely to be exposed to conflict and its consequences, including humanitarian and human rights disasters, mass displacement and long-term trauma. The message of 2024 is largely one of impunity: perpetrators of conflict, including in Israel and Russia, will be confident they can resist international pressure and escape accountability. While there may be some kind of ceasefire in Gaza or halt to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, those responsible for large-scale atrocities are unlikely to face justice. Impunity is also likely to prevail in the conflicts taking place largely off the global radar, including in Myanmar and Sudan. There will also be growing concern about the use of AI and automated weapons in warfare, a troublingly under-regulated area.

    As recent events in Lebanon and Syria have shown, changing dynamics, including shifting calculations made by countries such as Iran, Israel, Russia, Turkey and the USA, mean that frozen conflicts could reignite and new ones could erupt. As in Syria, these shifts could create sudden moments of opportunity; the international community and civil society must respond quickly when these come.

    A Second Trump Administration

    2. The second Trump administration will have a global impact on many current challenges. It’s likely to reduce pressure on Israel, hamper the response to the climate crisis, put more strain on already flawed and struggling global governance institutions and embolden right-wing populists and nationalists the world over. These will bring negative consequences for civic space – the space for civil society, which depends on the freedoms of association, expression and peaceful assembly. Funding for civil society is also likely to be drastically reduced as a result of the new administration’s shifting priorities.

    3. 2025 is the year that states are required to develop new plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change under the Paris Agreement. The process will culminate in the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, likely the world’s last chance to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees above preindustrial levels. This will only happen if states stand up to fossil fuel companies and look beyond narrow short-term interests. Failing that, more of the debate may come to focus on adaptation. The unresolved question of who will pay for climate transition will remain central. Meanwhile, extreme weather events such as heatwaves and floods can be expected to continue to devastate communities, impose high economic costs, drive migration and exacerbate conflicts.

    Economic Dysfunction Likely

    4. Globally, economic dysfunction is likely to increase, with more people struggling to afford basic necessities, increasingly including housing, as prices continue to rise, with climate change and conflict among the causes. The gap between the struggling many and the ultra-wealthy few will become more visible, and anger at rising prices or taxes will drive people – particularly young people deprived of opportunities – onto the streets. State repression will often follow. Frustration with the status quo means people will keep looking for political alternatives, a situation right-wing populists and nationalists will keep exploiting. But demands for labour rights, particularly among younger workers, will also likely increase, along with pressure for policies such as wealth taxes, a universal basic income and a shorter working week.

    5. A year when the largest number of people ever went to the polls has ended – but there are still plenty of elections to come. Where elections are free and fair, voters are likely to keep rejecting incumbents, particularly due to economic hardship. Right-wing populists and nationalists are likely to benefit the most, but the tide will eventually turn: once they’ve been around long enough to be perceived as part of the political establishment, they too will see their positions threatened, and they can be expected to respond with authoritarianism, repression and the scapegoating of excluded groups. More politically manipulated misogyny, homophobia, transphobia and anti-migrant rhetoric can be expected as a result.

    AI and International Regulation

    6. Even if developments in generative AI slow as the current model reaches the limits of the human-generated material it feeds on, international regulation and data protection will likely continue to lag behind. The use of AI-enabled surveillance, such as facial recognition, against activists is likely to increase and become more normalised. The challenge of disinformation is likely to intensify, particularly around conflicts and elections.

    Several tech leaders have actively taken the side of right-wing populists and authoritarians, putting their platforms and wealth at the service of their political ambitions. Emerging alternative social media platforms offer some promise but are likely to face similar problems as they grow.

    7. Climate change, conflict, economic strife, repression of LGBTQIA+ identities and civil and political repression will continue to drive displacement and migration. Most migrants will remain in difficult and underfunded conditions in global south countries. In the global north, right-wing shifts are expected to drive more restrictive and repressive policies, including the deportation of migrants to countries where they may be at risk. Attacks on civil society working to defend their rights, including by assisting at sea and land borders, are also likely to intensify.

    8. The backlash against women’s and LGBTQI+ rights will continue. The US right wing will continue to fund anti-rights movements in the global south, notably in Commonwealth African countries, while European conservative groups will continue to export their anti-rights campaigns, as some Spanish organisations have long done throughout Latin America. Disinformation efforts from multiple sources, including Russian state media, will continue to influence public opinion. This will leave civil society largely on the defensive, focused on consolidating gains and preventing setbacks.

    Pressure on Civil Society

    9. As a result of these trends, the ability of civil society organisations and activists to operate freely will remain under pressure in the majority of countries. Just when its work is most needed, civil society will face growing restrictions on fundamental civic freedoms, including in the form of anti-NGO laws and laws that label civil society as agents of foreign powers, the criminalisation of protests and increasing threats to the safety of activists and journalists. Civil society will have to devote more of its resources to protecting its space, at the expense of the resources available to promote and advance rights.

    10. Despite these many challenges, civil society will continue to strive on all fronts. It will continue to combine advocacy, protests, online campaigns, strategic litigation and international diplomacy. As awareness grows of the interconnected and transnational nature of the challenges, it will emphasise solidarity actions that transcend national boundaries and make connections between different struggles in different contexts.

    Even in difficult circumstances, civil society achieved some notable victories in 2024. In the Czech Republic, civil society’s efforts led to a landmark reform of rape laws, and in Poland they resulted in a law making emergency contraception available without prescription, overturning previous restrictive legislation. After extensive civil society advocacy, Thailand led the way in Southeast Asia by passing a marriage equality law, while Greece became the first predominantly Christian Orthodox country to legalise same-sex marriage

    Civil Society’s Victories in 2024

    People defended democracy. In South Korea, people took to the streets in large numbers to resist martial law, while in Bangladesh, protest action led to the ousting of a longstanding authoritarian government. In Guatemala, a president committed to fighting corruption was sworn in after civil society organised mass protests to demand that powerful elites respect the election results, and in Venezuela, hundreds of thousands organised to defend the integrity of the election, defeated the authoritarian government in the polls and took to the streets in the face of severe repression when the results weren’t recognised. In Senegal, civil society mobilised to prevent an attempt to postpone an election that resulted in an opposition win.

    Civil society won victories in climate and environmental litigation – including in Ecuador, India and Switzerland – to force governments to recognise the human rights impacts of climate change and do more to reduce emissions and curb pollution. Civil society also took to the courts to pressure governments to stop arms sales to Israel, with a successful verdict in the Netherlands and others pending.

    In 2025, the struggle continues. Civil society will keep carrying the torch of hope that a more peaceful, just, equal and sustainable world is possible. This idea will remain as important as the tangible impact we’ll continue to achieve despite the difficult circumstances.

    Andrew Firmin is Editor-in-Chief and Inés M. Pousadela is Senior Research Specialist at CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation. The two are co-directors and writers for CIVICUS Lens and co-authors of the State of Civil Society Report.

    Image: CIVICUS Monitor

    2024: Hottest Year on Record Says World Meteorological Organisation

    OWSA Contributor
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    2024: Hottest Year on Record Says World Meteorological Organisation

    The year 2024 is set to be the warmest on record, capping a decade of unprecedented heat fuelled by human activities, according to the World Meteorological Organisation. 

    “Today I can officially report that we have just endured a decade of deadly heat. The top ten hottest years on record have happened in the last ten years, including 2024,” said Secretary-General António Guterres in his message for the New Year.  

    “This is climate breakdown — in real time. We must exit this road to ruin — and we have no time to lose,” he gravely emphasised.

    The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) will publish the consolidated global temperature figure for 2024 in January and its full State of the Global Climate 2024 report in March 2025.  

    Climate catastrophes 

    Throughout 2024, a series of reports from the WMO community highlighted the rapid pace of climate change and its far-reaching impacts on every aspect of sustainable development.

    Record-breaking rainfalls were documented as well as catastrophic flooding, scorching heat waves with temperatures exceeding 50°C, and devastating wildfires.  

    The organization found that climate change added 41 days of dangerous heat in 2024, harming human health and ecosystems in their report When Risks Become Reality: Extreme Weather.  

    Climate change also intensified 26 of the 29 weather events studied by World Weather Attribution that killed at least 3700 people and displaced millions. 

    Celeste Saulo, the WMO Secretary-General, described the year as a sobering wake-up call. 

    “This year we saw record-breaking rainfall and flooding events and terrible loss of life in so many countries, causing heartbreak to communities on every continent,” she stated.

    “Every fraction of a degree of warming matters, and increases climate extremes, impacts and risks,” she underscored.  

    Hope amid crises  

    Despite the grim realities, the year 2024 saw notable advancements with the adoption of the Pact for the Future – a landmark agreement to promote disarmament, financial reform, gender equality, and ethical technological innovation.  

    The COP29 UN climate conference also recently discussed ways to increase finance for poor countries to support them in coping with the impacts of extreme weather.  

    Developing countries are responsible for a small amount of historic carbon emissions, but as WMO research has highlighted, are being hit the hardest by extreme weather. 

    Moreover, in response to the Secretary-General’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat, a targeted group of experts representing 15 international organizations and 12 countries convened at WMO headquarters in December to advance a coordinated framework for tackling the growing threat of extreme heat.  

    2025: A pivotal year  

    With 2025 designated as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, WMO and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) aim to prioritise efforts to protect the cryosphere – the Earth’s frozen regions, critical to regulating global temperatures.  

    Additionally, WMO is advancing initiatives like the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch which aims to improve the monitoring of greenhouse gas (GHG) net fluxes globally.  

    By 2027, the organization also aims to ensure universal protection from hazardous environmental events through life-saving anticipatory systems currently developed in the Early Warnings for All programme.  

    Reflecting on WMO’s upcoming 75th anniversary, Ms. Saulo reinforced the shared responsibility to act.

    “If we want a safer planet, we must act now. It’s our responsibility. It’s a common responsibility, a global responsibility,” she firmly stated.  

    Guterres has also called for making 2025 “a new beginning” in his message for the New Year, issued on Monday as he urged countries to drastically slash emissions and ‘exit this road to ruin’.

    Reflecting on 2024, he stated that “hope has been hard to find”, with wars causing enormous pain, suffering and displacement, and inequalities and divisions fuelling tensions and mistrust.

    “And today I can officially report that we have just endured a decade of deadly heat,” he said

    The Secretary-General noted that the top 10 hottest years on record have occurred in the past decade.

    “This is climate breakdown — in real time.  We must exit this road to ruin — and we have no time to lose,” he said.

    “In 2025, countries must put the world on a safer path by dramatically slashing emissions, and supporting the transition to a renewable future. It is essential — and it is possible.”

    Hope drives change

    Guterres said that even in the darkest days he has “seen hope power change.”

    In this regard, he saluted activists of all ages who are raising their voices for progress, as well as “humanitarian heroes overcoming enormous obstacles to support the most vulnerable people.”

    The Secretary-General said he also sees hope in developing countries fighting for financial and climate justice, and in the scientists and innovators breaking new ground for humanity.

    He stressed that the Pact for Future, adopted last September by UN Member States, is a new push to build peace through disarmament and prevention.

    Other aims include reforming the global financial system, pushing for more opportunities for women and youth, and ensuring that technologies “put people over profits and rights over runaway algorithms”.

    Here, he also underlined the need to always stick to the values and principles enshrined by human rights, international law and the United Nations Charter.

    The Secretary-General concluded by stating that there are no guarantees for what lies ahead in 2025.

    He pledged to stand with all those working to forge a more peaceful, equal, stable and healthy future for all people.

    “Together, we can make 2025 a new beginning,” he said. “Not as a world divided. But as nations united.”

    UN Human Rights Chief Calls on Taliban to Reverse NGO Employment Ban on Afghan Women

    OWSA Contributor
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    UN Human Rights Chief Calls on Taliban to Reverse NGO Employment Ban on Afghan Women

    The Taliban authorities defend their actions, claiming that their policies align with their interpretation of Islamic law, which they argue guarantees the rights of both men and women.

    United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has urged Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban authorities to reverse a ban that prohibits Afghan women from working for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), calling the decision a severe blow to human rights and humanitarian efforts.

    The call follows a directive issued on December 26 by Afghanistan’s de facto Ministry of Economy. The directive contained a warning to national and international NGOs that their licenses would be revoked if they employed Afghan women. The order enforces a decree issued two years ago, further restricting women’s participation in public life.

    Turk warned that this move will greatly exacerbate the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, where more than half of the country’s population lives in poverty. 

    “I am deeply alarmed at the recent announcement by the de facto authorities in Afghanistan that non-governmental organisations’ licenses will be revoked if they continue to employ Afghan women,” Türk said in a statement on Tuesday. “This is absolutely the wrong path being taken.” He emphasised that the ban undermines NGOs’ ability to provide life-saving assistance in a country where more than half the population lives in poverty.

    The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains dire, with the country reliant on NGOs to deliver critical aid to its people, including women, men, and children. Türk warned that the restriction would disproportionately harm the most vulnerable and further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.

    Aligns with Islamic law?

    Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Afghan women and girls have been systematically erased from public life. The administration has barred girls from education beyond primary school, restricted women’s employment, and limited their access to public spaces such as parks. A recent law even prohibits women from singing or reciting poetry in public, encouraging them to “veil” their voices and bodies outside their homes.

    “No country can progress – politically, economically, or socially – while excluding half of its population from public life,” Türk said, urging the Taliban to revoke the discriminatory decree and restore women and girls’ access to education, employment, and essential services.

    The Taliban authorities defend their actions, claiming that their policies align with their interpretation of Islamic law, which they argue guarantees the rights of both men and women. However, the international community, including the United Nations, has labelled these actions as “gender apartheid” and condemned the ongoing marginalization of Afghan women.

    Türk’s statement underscores the critical role Afghan women play in delivering humanitarian aid and contributing to the country’s development. “For the future of Afghanistan, the de facto authorities must change course,” he concluded.

    As international pressure mounts, the fate of Afghan women remains a pivotal issue in the global debate on human rights and Afghanistan’s future.

    “I once again urge the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to revoke this deeply discriminatory decree, and all other measures which seek to eradicate women and girls’ access to education, work and public services, including healthcare, and that restrict their freedom of movement,” Türk said.

    Image: IPS/Shelly Kittleson

    Targeting Transformative Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia-Pacific Subregions

    Inter Press Service
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    Targeting Transformative Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia-Pacific Subregions

    Economic and social costs are mounting, with average annual losses (AAL) projected to rise under warming scenarios. East and North-East Asia’s AAL of $510 billion could increase further under 2°C warming, while the Pacific’s AAL exceeds $20 billion.

    By Madhurima Sarkar-Swaisgood and Sanjay Srivastava

    In December 2024, Vanuatu experienced yet another harrowing reminder of its vulnerability to disasters – a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Pacific nation’s capital, Port Vila, leaving 14 dead, over 200 injured, and thousands more affected.

    The devastating earthquake, compounded by overnight aftershocks and disrupted essential services, highlights the precarious situation faced by countries already grappling with the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.

    Vanuatu is emblematic of the cascading disasters that Pacific Island nations increasingly endure, where frequent earthquakes intersect with the escalating impacts of climate-induced hazards such as cyclones, rising sea levels, and coastal erosion accompanied by staggering loss and damage experienced by vulnerable populations and ecosystems.

    With every fraction of a degree of warming, the region’s diverse sub-regions – from the icy peaks of the Third Pole to the low-lying islands of the Pacific – are encountering unparalleled climate risks.

    Recognising these unique challenges, ESCAP launched the 2024 Asia-Pacific Subregional Disaster Reports to customise the insights and recommendations from the flagship Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2023 to the distinct vulnerabilities and opportunities within each sub-region.

    Transformative insights: Shaping climate resilient futures

    The 2024 sub-regional reports reveal escalating disaster risks across Asia and the Pacific, stressing that incremental actions are insufficient against intensifying climate impacts. East and North-East Asia has faced $2 trillion in economic losses and nearly half a million fatalities over five decades, with 2°C warming expected to exacerbate droughts, heatwaves, and floods in China, Mongolia and Korea, threatening urban centres and critical systems.

    North and Central Asia faces growing multi-hazard risks in the Aral Sea Basin, where droughts, heatwaves, and floods will endanger agriculture and energy systems. In South-East Asia, nearly 100 per cent of the population is at risk of floods under 2°C warming, with the Mekong River Basin emerging as a persistent multi-hazard hotspot.

    Pacific island nations face rising seas and stronger cyclones that erode coastlines, threaten biodiversity, and force communities to relocate, while South and South-West Asia grapples with glacial melt from the Third Pole, jeopardizing water security for 1.3 billion people.

    Economic and social costs are mounting, with average annual losses (AAL) projected to rise under warming scenarios. East and North-East Asia’s AAL of $510 billion could increase further under 2°C warming, while the Pacific’s AAL exceeds $20 billion, with small island developing states like Vanuatu and Tonga suffering losses of over 21 per cent of GDP.

    Despite these dire projections, the reports emphasize that investments in transformative adaptation – such as early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and integrated climate policies – can mitigate risks and protect livelihoods across the region.

    Early warning systems: A lifeline for resilience

    A critical takeaway from the sub-regional reports is the transformative role of early warning systems (EWS) in disaster risk reduction. By providing timely and actionable information, these systems save lives and reduce economic losses. In South-East Asia, effective EWS could prevent $8.7 billion to $13.1 billion annually, while in the Pacific, they could avert $4 billion to $6 billion in damages each year.

    EWS are especially vital in regions with complex multi-hazard risks, such as the Pacific small island developing States, where cyclones, floods, and sea-level rise intersect, and in South-East Asia, where urban flood risks are rapidly escalating.

    For EWS to be fully effective, they must encompass four key pillars: risk knowledge, detection and monitoring, dissemination of warnings, and preparedness. Investments in these areas, combined with robust regional cooperation, can ensure that warnings reach the most vulnerable populations in time to act.

    The reports highlight examples like impact-based forecasting in South and Southwest Asia and AI-powered risk assessments in China and Japan as transformative advancements in EWS implementation. These systems not only save lives but also help governments and communities reduce disaster recovery costs and safeguard economic stability.

    Trans-boundary solutions: Collaborative action for shared risks

    Trans-boundary risks like ocean-based hazards, inland water stress, and desertification demand collaborative solutions across regions.

    1. Ocean-Based Climate Action:

    Rising sea levels, intensified cyclones, and coastal erosion require collective efforts such as mangrove restoration and integrated coastal management. In the Pacific SIDS, ASEAN, and South-West Asia, platforms like the Pacific Resilience Partnership and Mekong Basin initiatives foster nature-based solutions to protect ecosystems and livelihoods.

    2. Inland Water Systems:

    The drying of the Aral Sea Basin in North and Central Asia highlights the importance of trans-boundary water-sharing agreements to combat drought and degradation. For Third Pole glacial melt, collaboration through the Third Pole Climate Forum is vital to safeguard water security for 1.3 billion people in South, South-West, and East Asia.

    3. Desertification and Sand and Dust Storms:

    Desertification and sand and dust storms (SDS) are accelerating across Asia. Countries like China, Mongolia, and Iran are advancing afforestation and land restoration, while regional frameworks promote sustainable land management to mitigate downstream impacts.

    By prioritising trans-boundary cooperation, countries can tackle shared risks, protect vulnerable communities, and build scalable solutions for resilience.

    A call for transformative change

    The 2024 sub-regional reports make it unequivocally clear: transformative, not incremental, adaptation is needed to combat the growing threats of climate change and disasters. This means embedding climate resilience in every sector – agriculture, energy, urban planning, and biodiversity conservation – while fostering regional cooperation to address trans-boundary risks.

    By aligning local action with global frameworks like the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Paris Agreement, the Asia-Pacific region has an opportunity to lead the way in building a sustainable and resilient future. As ESCAP’s sub-regional reports demonstrate, the tools and knowledge are at hand. The time to act is now – before the risks become irreversible and the costs unmanageable.

    Madhurima Sarkar-Swaisgood is Economic Affairs Officer, ESCAP & Sanjay Srivastava is Chief of Disaster Risk Reduction Section, ESCAP. Other co-authors include Leila Salarpour Goodarzi, Associate Economic Affairs Officer, ESCAP, Rusali Agrawal, Consultant, ESCAP, Naina Tanwar, Consultant, ESCAP, Madhurima Sarkar-Swaisgood, Economic Affairs Officer, ESCAP and Sanjay Srivastava, Chief of Disaster Risk Reduction Section, ESCAP.

    This piece has been sourced from Inter Press Service.

    Image Credit: Unsplash / Sebastian Lio

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    Bangladesh

    Yunus Warns of ‘War-Like Situation’ Amid Political Crisis and Rising Tensions

    The high-stakes meeting brought together 20 leaders from various political parties and organisations in two separate sessions, as Yunus sought to shore up support amid reports of internal tensions within his interim government and growing external pressure.
    Climate change

    New Projections Show Extreme Glacier Loss Already at 2°C

    Staying close to 1.5°C on the other hand preserves at least some glacier ice in all regions, even Scandinavia, with 20-30 per cent remaining in the four most sensitive regions; and 40-45 per cent in the Himalayas and Caucuses; stressing the growing urgency of the 1.5°C temperature goal and rapid decarbonization to achieve it.
    Agri-business

    Sri Lanka and New Zealand Eye Stronger Economic and Educational Ties

    Beyond trade, both nations expressed keen interest in enhancing vocational training collaboration, with a specific focus on developing industry-aligned skills for Sri Lankan youth.

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