Climate Change Challenges in ASEAN-facilitated Interventions in the Mekong Subregion

The report examines the intersection of climate change and ASEAN-facilitated trade and investment in the Mekong subregion, noting that while some countries use trade liberalization for growth, their natural resources remain vulnerable to climate risks. It highlights a tension between low-carbon initiatives, such as hydroelectric dams, and the resulting loss of irreplaceable natural capital. Additionally, it notes that free trade agreements facilitating mining may be viewed as an adaptation to climate-threatened agriculture, though at a high cost to natural capital and livelihoods. The report recommends mainstreaming climate concerns into ASEAN's economic frameworks and implementing climate risk assessments for trading mechanisms.

• The Mekong subregion is vulnerable to climate variability and change, and while national action plans exist, many countries continue to prioritize trade liberalization for economic growth.
• ASEAN-facilitated hydroelectric dam projects in the Mekong subregion provide renewable, low-carbon energy but cause an irreplaceable loss of natural capital.
• Free trade agreements, such as the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, have encouraged mining development as a potential adaptation to climate-threatened agriculture, but this results in excessive loss of natural capital for resource-dependent populations.
• National action plans in the subregion include trade-related mechanisms for climate challenges, such as the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism and market mechanisms for alternative energy, though their link to ASEAN intervention is unclear.

APA

Chandra,, J. D.-B. V. C. (2010). Climate Change Challenges in ASEAN-facilitated Interventions in the Mekong Subregion. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/climate-change-challenges-asean-facilitated-interventions-mekong-subregion

Chicago

Chandra,, Jessica Dator-Bercilla,Daphne Villanueva,Alexander C. Climate Change Challenges in ASEAN-facilitated Interventions in the Mekong Subregion. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2010. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/climate-change-challenges-asean-facilitated-interventions-mekong-subregion.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Chandra, |first1=Jessica Dator-Bercilla,Daphne Villanueva,Alexander C. |title=Climate Change Challenges in ASEAN-facilitated Interventions in the Mekong Subregion |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=16 August 2010 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/climate-change-challenges-asean-facilitated-interventions-mekong-subregion |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{chandra2010climate, author = {Chandra,, Jessica Dator-Bercilla,Daphne Villanueva,Alexander C.}, title = {{Climate Change Challenges in ASEAN-facilitated Interventions in the Mekong Subregion}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2010}, month = aug, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/climate-change-challenges-asean-facilitated-interventions-mekong-subregion}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }