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Asia-Pacific tech monitor. Vol. 40, No. 2, Apr-Jun 2023
No full textSpecial Theme: Innovative technologies for disaster risk reductio This issue of Asia Pacific Tech Monitor focuses on “Innovative Technologies for Disaster Risk Reduction – Successful Cases and Good Practices from Asia and the Pacific.” We delve into the challenges, opportunities, and best practices for disaster risk reduction in the region. The issue explores innovative technologies, such as Japan’s use of the Metaverse to enhance public disaster preparedness, India’s Quantified Cities Movement (QCM) for evidence-based planning, and the Philippines’ Locally Accessible Cloud System (LACS), as portable communication tools in disaster situations. Together, we aim to bolster our resilience and confront the evolving face of disaster risk in our region.<p
Navigating new waters : addressing Asia-Pacific's water challenges and trade-offs in a changing climate
Get PDFThe Asia-Pacific region, home to over 60% of the world's population (ESCAP, 2019), boasts diverse ecosystems and landscapes and myriad socio-economic and cultural contexts. Its water resources – vital for household use, for all economic activity and for maintaining the flow of ecosystem services – are under increasing strain due to population growth, economic growth, urbanization and the associated demand for more and more diverse foods. While the region has been striving to boost agricultural and industrial production without compromising water sustainability, climate change is introducing greater variability and unpredictability to the hydrological cycle, increasing the challenges to water resources management. Watermanagers across the region face new pressures to devise climate adaptive strategies, ensuring both water security, prosperity and food security for a rapidly growing population.
Changes in precipitation patterns, the melting of glaciers, rising sea levels, and increased frequency of extreme events such as droughts and floods have profound implications. Ensuring the security and sustainability of water resources in the face of climate change is crucial for current generations, and also for the future of the Asia-Pacific region (Box 1). In this backdrop, the current paper examines the interactions between climate change and water resources in the region, emphasizing the need for forward-looking and flexible strategies to protect the region’s people, livelihoods, ecosystems and economies. Proactive investments in climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable water management practices, and community resilience can mitigate the escalating risks posed by climate change. Investing in these forward-looking strategies can not only fortify the region against the immediate impacts of climate change but also lay the groundwork for a more sustainable and secure future, fostering the resilience needed to withstand the challenges that lie ahead. The dividends of such investments extend beyond crisis response, creating a foundation for long-term prosperity, environmental stability, and societal well-being.</p
Feasibility study on cross-border electronic exchange of trade data : Bangladesh
Get PDFThe draft report was used as the basis for the discussions during the South Asian Subregional Stakeholder Consultation Workshop and the Inception Meeting of the Ad-Hoc South Asian Subregional Task Force on Cross-border Electronic Trade Data ExchangeThis report aims to study the feasibility and establish a stepwise approach for engaging in the cross-border electronic exchange of trade-related data a.nd documents with neighbouring and partner countries, particularly focusing on identifying feasible trade
documents and data exchange systems for initiating the cross-border electronic exchange of trade dataThe financial support received by ESCAP from Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) to conduct and disseminate this stud
Accelerating the energy transition through transnational power system connectivity : recommendations for the G20 energy transitions working group
Get PDFThe policy brief has been prepared as an input into the G20 Energy Transition Working Group’s deliberations on the role of transnational power system connectivity in the energy transition, and how to best support the development of existing or new connectivity efforts. It details the Road Map’s vision, guiding principles, and nine strategies, and then provides a few case studies to illustrate how these strategies are being implemented in practice. The paper ends with some specific recommendations for the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group, focusing in particular on a subset of strategies that may be most relevant for a G20 context.</p
Electrification of public transport fleet in Georgia
No full textSustainable transport is important for Georgia, as transport (mainly road transport) is responsible for 33% of the country’s total emissions. Furthermore, the vehicles used by the majority of the population are ill-fit to tackle other environmental challenges such as toxic emissions, solid and liquid waste. Georgia has made meaningful commitments to improve environmental sustainability and incentivize renewable energy and energy efficiency in all sectors, including transport. Georgia is committed to the Paris Agreement and the country has submitted an updated NDC to the UNFCCC, with an obligation to unconditionally reduce total emissions by 35%, as compared to the 1990 level. The contribution has also included sectoral targets, one of which is a 15% emission reduction for transport (compared to the BAU).
This report presents an overview on the present conditions of transport and anticipate future advancements in the integration of electric mobility into the public transport networks of Georgia. The focus of the report is on two cities, namely Tbilisi and Batumi, where several significant initiatives have already been undertaken. It also includes a suggested outline for policy framework for electrification of public transport in Georgia.</p
Study report for transitioning to electric public buses in Thailand
No full textConsidering the global trend in decarbonization, the Thai government has proposed a plan to promote Thailand as a global production and supplier hub for electric vehicles and automotive parts, as well as setting a goal to reach a 100% market share of new Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) by 2035. In addition, at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), the Thai government announced that Thailand aims to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 with international support and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Moreover, Thailand has an ambition to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emission by 2065.
The National EV Policy Committee has announced a target of 30% and 50% share for local BEV production and BEV domestic sales, respectively. This goal will be aided by various measures, such as demand incentives, tax support schemes, and ZEV industry and battery production support. The Ministry of Transport (MOT) is currently drafting the EV Development Plan (2022 – 2037), which is a roadmap to transition public transport to electric vehicles, including various modes of transport such as road, water, and rail. In this draft, the Ministry of Transport plans to deploy 4,412 electric buses to reach a total energy reduction of 492 ktoe and a total GHG reduction of 0.915 MtCO2eq by 2030.
ESCAP in collaboration with the Mobility and Vehicle Technology Research Center (MOVE) at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) compiled and collected data on EV policies and public bus operations and conducted a study on the environmental impact of transitioning to electric buses in Thailand. This study supports the Asia-Pacific Initiative on Electric Mobility of the Transport Division, UN ESCAP, to promote the acceleration of the transition to electric mobility in public transport and support reduction of GHG emissions and the implementation of the Paris Agreement.</p
Review of disaster riskscape of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Get PDFThe Review of Disaster Riskscape of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is prepared to better
understand the socio-economic dynamics of disasters in DPR Korea. The project is being
implemented by the Disaster Risk Reduction Section (DRS) of the ICT and Disaster Risk Reduction Division
(IDD) at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).Disaster risk is significant in Democratic People's Republic of Korea as the country is particularly vulnerable to hydro-meteorological hazards, such as floods, droughts, and storms, while climate change further adds uncertainty and unpredictability.
The Review of Disaster Riskscape of Democratic People's Republic of Korea details the spatial variation of risks from floods, droughts, and storms, and identifies disaster risk hotspots. The report assesses risks, reflecting exposure and vulnerability of people and assets in the high-risk areas, and calls for targeted disaster risk management measures. Under the climate change scenarios (with temperature rises of 1.5°C and 2°C), the report demonstrates that especially flood risks are highly likely to increase with climate change.
To respond to the riskscape and challenges from climate change, the report suggests focusing on improving the dryland agriculture, strengthening the early warning systems, building various stakeholders' capacity for disaster risk reduction, and utilizing regional cooperation mechanisms. Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: Overview of historical disaster events
Chapter 2: Disaster management system
Chapter 3: Risk assessment for hydro-meteorological hazards
Chapter 4: Policy measures to address hydro‑meteorological hazards
Chapter 5: Conclusion
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