Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper examines the potential for fossil-fuel subsidy reform in Emerging and Developing Asia—specifically Southeast Asia, India, and China—to provide fiscal space and revenue for financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It argues that current subsidies are regressive, inefficient, and detrimental to environmental and health goals, and advocates for their phase-out in favor of targeted social welfare systems and corrective taxation.

This discussion brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute reviews global studies to estimate the international finance required for climate change mitigation, specifically for a warming trajectory of no more than 2°C. It distinguishes between various metrics—such as total, incremental, and net climate-relevant investment—and highlights a significant gap between current funding and the needs of developing (non-OECD) countries.

This policy brief examines the early implementation of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) in Cambodia. It identifies that while SAICM has provided a vision for chemicals management and spurred the development of new legislation and coordination mechanisms, significant barriers remain, including a lack of ground-level enforcement capacity and long-term funding. The document also critiques the global monitoring system of SAICM, arguing that its current indicators are insufficient to measure progress toward the '2020 goal' of minimizing adverse impacts on health and the environment.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute (WRI) analyzes the June 2013 fires and haze crisis in Riau Province, Sumatra, using high-resolution satellite imagery. It argues that ASEAN leaders should use the 23rd ASEAN Summit to commit to collaborative actions, such as making concession maps public and establishing a blue ribbon panel, to prevent recurring environmental and public health disasters.

This document serves as an introduction to a guidebook designed to assist policy-makers in Southeast Asia in formulating fossil-fuel subsidy reform strategies tailored to their specific objectives and circumstances.

This document is a Question and Answer (Q&A) briefing for an Invitation to Tender (ITT) regarding CDKN project AAGL-0036. It clarifies the geographical scope, budget constraints, and deliverable requirements for potential bidders.

This report details the third annual Climate Knowledge Brokers (CKB) workshop held in June 2013 in Bonn, Germany. The event focused on forging collaborative links between online knowledge brokers specializing in climate and development, sharing lessons on user engagement and internet marketing, and developing shared technical tools to improve information discoverability.

This research paper examines the politicization of rice in Southeast Asia and argues that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should strengthen existing information-sharing and reserve mechanisms to improve regional food security and market stability, rather than attempting full trade liberalization.

This report, published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network in 2012, synthesises findings from the IPCC Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX) specifically for the Asia region. It examines the interaction between climate extremes, human vulnerability, and exposure, providing a framework for integrating disaster risk management (DRM) with climate change adaptation to enhance long-term resilience in Asian countries.

China is the world's largest producer, consumer, and exporter of seafood. While its aquatic trading system is strong in aquaculture scale and adaptive supply chains, it faces sustainability challenges regarding traceability, coral reef fish imports, and aquaculture practices. The report examines the economic impact on livelihoods and the potential limits of growth in harvesting and aquaculture.

This research paper analyzes the FUND model of climate economics, finding that its low Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) estimate of $6 is largely driven by an overestimation of agricultural benefits from CO2 fertilization and temperature increases. The authors identify several technical flaws, including a potential division-by-zero error in the optimum temperature equation and the use of implausible temperature ranges in Monte Carlo simulations. They argue that FUND relies on outdated research from the 1990s and suggest that updating the model with recent empirical data on crop yields and CO2 fertilization would significantly increase the SCC estimate.

This fact sheet summarizes the 'Reefs at Risk Revisited' report, a global map-based analysis of threats to coral reefs led by the World Resources Institute. It details the prevalence of local and global pressures, the socioeconomic vulnerability of coastal communities, and the effectiveness of current marine protected areas.

This 2011 report by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the relationship between urban sanitation system trends in developing regions and the disposal of menstrual absorption materials. It identifies that menstrual products, particularly those with super-absorbent materials, frequently cause blockages in water-borne sewerage systems and accelerate the filling of on-site pit latrines. The report argues that menstrual management is largely ignored in sanitation design and advocates for the integration of women's needs and the promotion of solid waste disposal routes for menstrual materials.

This synthesis report analyzes policy responses to the 2006-2008 food prices crisis in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Southern Africa, evaluating their economic sustainability and impact on trade and regional integration.

This synthesis report analyzes the policy responses of countries and regional organizations in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Southern Africa to the 2006–08 global food prices crisis. It assesses these responses in terms of economic sustainability and their impact on trade and regional integration, arguing that short-term emergency measures often conflicted with long-term food security and production goals.

This policy brief examines the responses of developing countries in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Southern Africa to the 200608 food prices crisis. It analyzes the tension between short-term emergency measures and long-term food security goals, the differing strategies of food self-sufficiency versus food self-reliance, and the failure of regional integration agreements to provide collective economic security during the crisis.

This report examines the conflict between ASEAN's open trade aspirations and the protectionist food policies adopted by member states during the 2007/08 food crisis. It identifies threats to regional solidarity, such as the proposed Organization for Rice Exporting Countries (OREC), and advocates for a coordinated regional approach to food security utilizing existing frameworks like AIFS and AFSIS.

This report examines the gender implications of trade liberalization in Southeast Asia, arguing that trade policies are often 'gender-blind' and fail to account for the specific vulnerabilities and aspirations of women. It calls for ASEAN and its member states to integrate gender considerations into trade policy analysis and capacity building to ensure women can benefit from economic openness without facing increased marginalization.

This research paper by Oxfam America, published as part of the 2010 World Resources Report, examines how civil society organizations (CSOs) can support and hold national governments accountable in integrating climate change risks into policy. The authors argue that while CSOs are vital for emergency disaster response, their most significant contribution lies in addressing long-term climatic risks through mutual partnership with states and communities. Using research from seven countries, including Cambodia, the paper highlights the risks of top-down fund management and advocates for transformative citizen participation to ensure climate finance reaches the most vulnerable populations.

The document explores 'alternative regionalism' in Southeast Asia, arguing that civil society (track-three) is essential for reforming ASEAN. It notes that while engagement has historically been limited to academics and economic actors, there is a growing demand from NGOs and CBOs for a bottom-up, institutionalized process to include the region's 550 million people in policy-making, particularly regarding human rights and economic development.