Why Asia-Pacific’s climate strategy must change

In an era of escalating climate disasters, the Asia-Pacific region stands at a crossroads. Home to over 4.5 billion people, it is also the world’s most disaster-prone region, facing intensifying floods, droughts, typhoons and glacial melt.

Traditional, incremental adaptation efforts are no longer enough, experts point out. And as climate risks grow more complex and interconnected, governments, policymakers and scientists are advocating for a paradigm shift; one that moves beyond short-term fixes.

To understand what this shift entails, FairPlanet spoke with Madhurima Sarkar-Swaisgood, an Economic Affairs Officer at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). She leads research on the economic and non-economic impacts of climate disasters and spearheads the development of ESCAP’s Risk and Resilience Portal, which integrates AI-driven analytics to enhance climate adaptation strategies.

As a principal author of key UN disaster reports, she offers a data-driven perspective on why the region must embrace systemic change. In this conversation, she unpacks the latest findings from ESCAP’s 2024 Asia-Pacific Subregional Disaster Reports, highlighting why transformative adaptation is no longer optional - and what must happen now to safeguard the future.

FairPlanet: The 2024 Asia-Pacific Subregional Disaster Reports emphasise the urgency of transformative, rather than incremental, adaptation to climate risks. Could you explain why incremental measures are insufficient for the challenges faced by the region?

Madhurima Sarkar-Swaisgood: The reports make a compelling case for transformative adaptation because incremental measures cannot address the systemic vulnerabilities and compounding risks that define the Asia-Pacific region’s disaster landscape.

Incremental steps are often reactive, addressing only immediate hazards without tackling the underlying drivers of risk, such as rapid urbanisation, environmental degradation and socio-economic inequalities. They don’t account for the cascading impacts of disasters - how one hazard, like a flood, can trigger other risks, such as landslides or biodiversity loss. While they may mitigate short-term impacts, they fail to build the resilience needed to confront the scale and complexity of climate change-induced hazards.

In contrast, transformative adaptation offers holistic solutions. This includes large-scale investments in climate-resilient infrastructure, ecosystem restoration (like mangroves that act as natural buffers), and science-driven technologies such as AI-powered forecasting. For example, in the Aral Sea Basin and Pacific Small Island Developing States, where risks are intensifying due to climate change, transformative adaptation ensures sustainable, long-term resilience by addressing interconnected hazards and vulnerabilities.

Without this forward-looking approach, the region risks being overwhelmed by cascading disasters that threaten lives, livelihoods and development gains​.

The reports highlight the importance of embedding climate resilience into sectors like agriculture, energy and urban planning. What are some concrete steps governments or regional bodies have taken to integrate these recommendations into their policies?

While countries in the region have implemented initiatives such as flood-resistant agriculture in South-East Asia and renewable energy safeguards in North and Central Asia, let me focus on the role of regional bodies like ESCAP.

First, ESCAP’s Asia Pacific Disaster Report and the accompanying subregional reports provide deep insights into the unique risks and sector vulnerabilities of each subregion. The most recent subregional reports, launched in 2024, demonstrate that climate disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity, threatening food, water and energy security and undermining the progress of Sustainable Development Goals. These reports call for transformative adaptation measures to safeguard lives, livelihoods and ecosystems.

Second, the granular data and analysis provided in the reports is accessible through the ESCAP’s Risk and Resilience Portal. The Portal is a cutting-edge digital platform which leverages advanced technologies such as machine learning, geospatial analysis and climate downscaling to support decision-making in key sectors such as energy, agriculture and urban planning. It also facilitates the development of country-specific tools for early warning and long-term climate resilience in multiple countries including Armenia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Maldives, Nepal and Tajikistan.

Third, ESCAP is actively engaging in initiatives like the Third Pole Climate Forum to foster regional cooperation and knowledge sharing. Through the Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate Preparedness, we support sustainable, end-to-end early warning systems for coastal hazards. 

Early warning systems are repeatedly emphasised as a transformative solution. What are the biggest barriers to their widespread implementation in vulnerable regions, and how can they be addressed?

One of the most significant barriers to implementing early warning systems is the lack of real-time, localised data on hazards. While the region has made advances in monitoring systems for rapid-onset events like cyclones and tsunamis, there are still significant gaps in detecting and forecasting slow-onset disasters, such as droughts.

In addition, disparities in infrastructure, particularly in rural and remote areas, make it difficult to disseminate warnings effectively. These communities often lack access to communication tools like mobile networks or satellite systems.

Another critical challenge is inclusivity. Marginalised populations - including women, people with disabilities and indigenous communities - often struggle to access early warnings due to factors such as language barriers and literacy gaps. As a result, they are disproportionately affected by disasters despite the availability of warning systems.

Addressing these barriers requires a multi-pronged approach. Investment in advanced technologies, such as AI-driven forecasting, can help bridge data gaps. Strengthening last-mile communication by leveraging both modern tools, like SMS alerts, and traditional methods, like radio broadcasts, ensures warnings reach everyone.

Regional cooperation mechanisms like the Typhoon Committee, the Panel on Tropical Cyclones and the Regional Climate Forums are essential to share data, best practices and resources across borders.

Given the transboundary nature of many risks, such as ocean-based hazards and glacial melt, how successful have initiatives like the Pacific Resilience Partnership or the Third Pole Climate Forum been in fostering collaboration across nations?

Initiatives like the Pacific Resilience Partnership and the Third Pole Climate Forum (TPCF) have made significant contributions to regional resilience. The Pacific Resilience Partnership has been instrumental in aligning Pacific Small Island Developing States under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

This framework emphasises the integration of disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation strategies, focusing on building climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable livelihoods. The initiative has helped create a shared vision for addressing the unique challenges faced by these island nations.

Similarly, the Third Pole Climate Forum has been pivotal in addressing the impacts of glacial melt in the Third Pole region, which feeds critical river systems like the Ganges and Mekong. This forum has fostered cross-border collaboration to develop early warning systems for glacial lake outburst floods and to improve water governance frameworks. These efforts benefit over 1.3 billion people who depend on these rivers for their livelihoods.

ESCAP is supporting the TPCF for impact-based forecasting for enhanced early warning systems for glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). While challenges remain in ensuring the full implementation of these initiatives at the local level, their successes highlight the importance of collaborative, science-driven approaches.

Since the release of the 2023 Asia-Pacific Disaster Report, have you observed any significant progress in disaster risk reduction or climate adaptation in the region? Could you share any specific examples?

Since the release of the 2023 Asia-Pacific Disaster Report, the region has made tangible progress in disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation. Early Warning Systems have been significantly expanded under the Early Warnings for All initiative, reducing disaster-related losses across high-risk areas. 

ESCAP has led significant advancements in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate adaptation, with tangible outcomes across the region. One of the most notable achievements has been the expansion of the Regional Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, where ESCAP has provided tailored, downscaled climate projections and impact-based forecasting tools to countries like Cambodia, Nepal and Tajikistan. These localised data models empower governments to assess vulnerabilities in agriculture, energy and water resources, enabling them to act decisively against climate risks. 

ESCAP is also working with countries like Bhutan and Maldives to provide digital tools under the Risk and Resilience Portal, which overlays critical climate and infrastructure data to inform risk management decisions. In the Maldives, the Portal supports strengthened multi-hazard preparedness in this highly vulnerable island nation.

Renewed focus of partnerships like the Third Pole Climate Forum, which focuses on transboundary impacts of glacial melt, has been instrumental. These efforts have provided early warning systems for glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) that threaten millions across South and East Asia, demonstrating the power of regional cooperation in mitigating risks​.

The reports detail both economic losses and non-economic consequences like biodiversity loss and forced displacement. How do you recommend policymakers balance these intertwined priorities when allocating resources for disaster relief and climate adaptation?

Policymakers face the dual challenge of addressing economic losses from disasters while also mitigating non-economic impacts like biodiversity loss and forced displacement. Balancing these priorities requires a comprehensive approach.

For instance, countries can invest in resilient infrastructure to minimise direct economic losses. South-East Asia, which faces USD 235 billion in annual damages, has already started prioritising flood defenses and renewable energy projects.

At the same time, addressing non-economic consequences requires a focus on ecosystem restoration and community well-being. In the Pacific, for example, restoring mangroves not only protects biodiversity but also serves as a natural defense against storm surges.

Social protection systems are equally critical, particularly for vulnerable populations who face the risk of displacement. By combining economic and ecological investments, policymakers can create more holistic and sustainable solutions.

Given the daunting challenges highlighted in the reports, what gives you hope or optimism about the future of disaster resilience and climate adaptation in the Asia-Pacific region?

Despite the challenges, there are many reasons for optimism about the future of disaster resilience and climate adaptation in the Asia-Pacific region.

One of the most encouraging developments is the growing regional collaboration, as seen in initiatives like the Pacific Resilience Partnership and the Third Pole Climate Forum. These efforts demonstrate a shared commitment to addressing transboundary risks through science-driven and cooperative approaches.

The increasing adoption of advanced technologies, such as AI-powered forecasting and climate downscaling, also inspires confidence. Tools like ESCAP’s Risk and Resilience Portal empower decision-makers with real-time data, enabling them to prepare for and adapt to evolving risks. Furthermore, the growing involvement of youth-led and grassroots initiatives highlights the power of community-driven solutions.

Across the region, there is a collective determination to innovate and build a more equitable, sustainable and resilient future for all​.

Image by Diego Gennaro.