Global ageing and climate change Regional dialogue series Asia and the Pacific Webinar summary

The Asia-Pacific region, home to 60% of the global population aged 60 and over, faces severe risks from climate change, including projected heat exposure nearly four times higher than other regions by mid-century. Older adults suffer disproportionately from heatwaves, natural disasters, and air pollution due to physical and socio-economic vulnerabilities. However, the document emphasises that older adults are not merely vulnerable but are 'a reservoir of knowledge and experience' who contribute to resilience through traditional knowledge and community-led initiatives in countries like India and Indonesia. The summary calls for a 'triangular strategy' of Protect, Reduce, and Mobilise to ensure older adults are active participants in climate action and that their human rights are protected through age-sensitive policies and universal social protection.

• The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing a significant demographic shift, containing 697 million people aged 60 and over, which is 60% of the global older adult population.
• By the middle of the century, older populations in the Asia-Pacific region are projected to experience heat exposure nearly four times higher than in other regions, a result of the region's tropical climate and large ageing population.
• Older adults in the region face heightened risks from climate-related hazards, including increased mortality from air pollution, heatwaves, and natural disasters, as well as mobility challenges during evacuations.
• Older adults possess valuable traditional knowledge and experience that can enhance climate resilience, as seen in Indonesia through organic farming and community forestry, and in India through locally-led adaptation to heatwaves and drought.
• In South Korea, older adults (aged 65+) show higher levels of concern regarding climate change (94%) than younger adults aged 19-29 (79%), and have petitioned the government for stronger protective measures and higher emissions reduction goals.
• The document proposes a 'triangular strategy' to address the intersection of ageing and climate change: 'Protect' (tailoring disaster response and housing), 'Reduce' (mitigating carbon footprints via renewable energy), and 'Mobilise' (engaging older adults in community planning).
• Current climate policy frameworks, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), frequently omit considerations of global ageing and the specific vulnerabilities of older populations.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (2024). Global ageing and climate change Regional dialogue series Asia and the Pacific Webinar summary. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/global-ageing-climate-change-asia-and-the-pacific-webinar-summary-01072024.pdf

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. Global ageing and climate change Regional dialogue series Asia and the Pacific Webinar summary. 2024. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/global-ageing-climate-change-asia-and-the-pacific-webinar-summary-01072024.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=Global ageing and climate change Regional dialogue series Asia and the Pacific Webinar summary |date=2024 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/global-ageing-climate-change-asia-and-the-pacific-webinar-summary-01072024.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitute2024global, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{Global ageing and climate change Regional dialogue series Asia and the Pacific Webinar summary}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2024}, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/global-ageing-climate-change-asia-and-the-pacific-webinar-summary-01072024.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }