Some of the largest contributors and casualties of climate change reside in Asia.

• The region most susceptible to climate change is also where the largest sources of global warming are found.
• The number of people affected by climate disasters in Asia reached over 57 million in 2021, and this risk is expected to increase in the future.
• The region of Asia is pivotal to worldwide efforts to reduce carbon emissions, as it contributes nearly half of global greenhouse gases, yet its environmental landscape is diverse.

The region most susceptible to climate change is also where the largest sources of global warming are found.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported that over 57 million people were affected by climate disasters in the region in 2021.

And the risk Asia faces is only going to grow.

By 2050, a significant portion of individuals residing in regions with a high risk of deadly waves will be located in Asia, as predicted in a 2020 report by McKinsey Global Institute.

On Monday, the IPCC released a report stating that current climate change efforts are inadequate.

If we want to restrict global warming to 1.5°C, we must act now and make significant reductions in emissions across all sectors, according to IPCC Working Group III co-chair Jim Skea.

Despite efforts to reduce the risk, it is not enough, particularly in relation to China and India, the top three contributors to global emissions, along with the U.S.

While Asia is a vital part of global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, the region's contribution varies greatly among countries, with some being responsible for significant emissions while others are vulnerable to their impact.

China and India

At the U.N. COP26 summit, China and India modified their commitment to eliminate coal. Instead of completely phasing it out, they suggested reducing its usage, which is the primary contributor to climate change.

The IPCC and scientists agree that incremental and reactive changes are no longer enough to address the intensifying climate crisis.

In 2019, China surpassed the combined greenhouse gas emissions of the entire developed world, according to a 2021 report by Rhodium Group.

Dimitri de Boer, the head of ClientEarth China, an environmental charity, admitted that China has intensified its efforts to combat climate change by committing to halting the construction of coal-fired power plants abroad and assisting other nations in transitioning to renewable energy sources.

The Chinese economy's heavy reliance on coal may hinder its growth.

Gabriel Lau, professor emeritus at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, acknowledged China's advancements but emphasized the need for greater focus on renewable energy, conservation, and public education.

Over the next 20 years, India is predicted to experience the most significant growth in global energy demand. However, none of India's cities adhere to the World Health Organization's air quality standards, according to a report by IQAir.

Avinash Kumar, climate campaign manager at Greenpeace India, stated in an email to CNBC that while India's net-zero emission target by 2070 is a positive step, the country requires "rigour, good practice, and equity" to achieve its goals.

Big industries must also drive the country's energy transition, in addition to government incentives, he emphasized.

A deadline set 50 years in the future is not a way out; we no longer have that choice," he stated. "We cannot continue with business as usual, including new fossil fuel projects, open-cast mining, and the weakening of environmental laws.

Asia’s developing countries

Many of Asia’s most vulnerable countries, however, lie elsewhere.

According to Jonathan Woetzel, director of McKinsey Global Institute, there isn't a single Asia, as it comprises various regions with distinct economic structures, levels of integration, and exposure to climate change.

The region of Southeast Asia is experiencing rising sea levels at a faster rate than any other part of the world, and it is disproportionately affected by climate hazards. This is due in part to the presence of numerous low-lying countries in the region, such as Cambodia and Myanmar, which have lower levels of per capita GDP.

Despite all Southeast Asian countries being signatories to the Paris Climate Agreement, many lack effective strategies to mitigate the worst climate risks.

By the end of the century, Southeast Asia's economy could shrink by 11% if climate change is not addressed, as predicted by the Asian Development Bank.

To achieve low-emissions growth and decarbonization, developing nations in Asia must invest more than the global average as a percentage of their GDP, according to McKinsey's Woetzel.

These economies have a significant portion in industries with high emissions or that rely on fossil fuels, as he observed.

He stated that these emerging regions may encounter obstacles, including limited access to capital markets and ownership of high-emissions assets.

Greenpeace India's Kumar emphasized the need for developed countries to take on more financial responsibility.

Developing countries are still far from receiving the $100 billion commitment promised by rich countries in 2009 for climate mitigation.

What the future holds

Even if Asia's efforts are successful and targets are met, climate model simulations suggest that it will still be challenging to keep global warming below 1.5°C, according to Lau.

The U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific emphasized the urgency of integrating climate policies into national development plans to combat the detrimental effects of global warming.

In COP27, the next UN climate summit, stricter plans to halve emissions by 2030 must be made, as Kumar warned that the next 10 years will be crucial.

"Real climate action is needed now, as people are losing their lives to various natural disasters such as floods, heatwaves, droughts, and cloudbursts," he emphasized.