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

The report argues that while the Mekong subregion is highly vulnerable to climate-related risks, ASEAN-facilitated free trade agreements (FTAs) and economic partnership agreements (EPAs) largely lack explicit commitments to climate change. It highlights a tension between low-carbon initiatives, such as hydroelectric dams, and the resulting loss of natural capital. The document recommends mainstreaming climate risk assessments into trade mechanisms and fostering cooperation between ASEAN, the Mekong River Commission (MRC), and the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) initiative.

• The Mekong subregion faces significant climate-related risks, including changes in rainfall patterns and temperature, which threaten food security and primary livelihoods through seasonal water shortages, droughts, floods, and saltwater intrusion.
• Despite the 2007 Singapore Declaration on Climate Change, Energy and the Environment, ASEAN's subsequent free trade agreements (FTAs) and economic partnership agreements (EPAs) have not included explicit commitments to climate change.
• Specific major trade agreements, including those with China, South Korea, and the ASEAN-Japan EPA, lack clear provisions for climate-related actions, though some leave environmental cooperation to subcommittees.
• Hydroelectric dam projects in the Mekong subregion, while promoted as low-carbon and renewable energy initiatives, cause significant environmental damage by altering water flows and destroying natural ecosystems and flood forests.
• The report suggests that a multilateral cooperative agreement between the Mekong River Commission (MRC), ASEAN, and the GMS is necessary to integrate climate change concerns into trade and environmental interventions.

APA

Dator-Bercilla, J., Villanueva, D., & Chandra, A. C. (2010). Climate Change Challenges in ASEAN-facilitated Interventions in the Mekong Subregion. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/climate_challenges_mekong.pdf

Chicago

Dator-Bercilla, Jessica, Daphne Villanueva, and Alexander C. Chandra. Climate Change Challenges in ASEAN-facilitated Interventions in the Mekong Subregion. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2010. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/climate_challenges_mekong.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Dator-Bercilla |first1=Jessica |last2=Villanueva |first2=Daphne |last3=Chandra |first3=Alexander C. |title=Climate Change Challenges in ASEAN-facilitated Interventions in the Mekong Subregion |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=August 2010 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/climate_challenges_mekong.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{datorbercilla2010climate, author = {Dator-Bercilla, Jessica and Villanueva, Daphne and Chandra, 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/system/files/publications/climate_challenges_mekong.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }