By providing timely warnings, EWS can reduce disaster-related losses, protect vulnerable populations, and safeguard economic stability, said the report on disaster risk resilience in Southeast Asia released by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
In Southeast Asia, which has a total cumulative GDP of $3.2 trillion, annual average loss under 2 degrees Celsius warming scenario is estimated at $43.6 billion. However, effective EWS could reduce these losses to between $34.9 billion and $30.5 billion, potentially saving $8.7 billion to $13.1 billion annually.
Multi-hazard EWS “can cut disaster losses by up to 60%, with sector-specific coverage needed for critical areas like agriculture and energy. Investments in these systems provide a tenfold return, making them indispensable for the sub-region’s resilience,” the document said.
“Implementing a 24-hour advance warning for severe weather events, such as storms or heat waves, can reduce potential damage by up to 30 per cent. Specifically, flood warnings alone can prevent up to 32.58 per cent of related damages,” the paper continued.
Disasters in the subregion have over the past 50 years caused over 435,000 fatalities, affected over 580 million people, and resulted in around $235 billion in damages, reflecting the impact of climate change, it added.
The report observed that droughts, floods, heat waves, surface winds, and earthquakes have caused widespread damage in Southeast Asia, leading to loss of life, displacement of communities, and economic disruption. These events have disproportionately impacted the subregion, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and hindering capacity to cope.
Moreover, the riskscape in Southeast Asia is evolving rapidly, with emerging hotspots and intensifying hazards that will further strain the region’s resilience and require enhanced disaster preparedness measures.
Climate change also poses a significant threat to the regional biodiversity. Species loss, habitat destruction, and ecosystem disruption are becoming more prevalent, with potential long-term consequences for both human and natural systems.
At the same time, mangroves face escalating threats from multi-hazard zones, highlighting the growing vulnerability of coastal ecosystems. “This widespread exposure threatens the resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems, emphasizing the critical role of mangroves in disaster mitigation and climate adaptation,” the paper said.
EWS play a crucial role in building resilience to climate change-induced disasters in Southeast Asia, ESCAP stressed. To enhance EWS effectiveness, investments in technology, data collection, and human capacity are necessary.
Aside from investments in EWS, governments in the subregion are also encouraged to implement nature-based solutions such as reforestation, wetland restoration, and sustainable land management.
“These approaches are crucial in South-East Asia’s biodiversity hotspots, including Philippines and Indo-Myanmar, where climate impacts threaten ecosystems and species.
Additionally, the subregion must integrate climate adaptation across sectors and employ innovative technologies like artificial intelligence or AI, data science, and geospatial analysis for informed decision-making.
It is also recommended to dramatically increase risk financing to protect critical infrastructure, such as energy systems, from the escalating impacts of climate change.
Scaling up innovative financing mechanisms such as green bonds, insurance schemes, and climate funds will help close financial gaps, ensuring resilience investments are more cost-effective than post-disaster recovery, the paper said.
Source: PHILEXPORT News and Features
January 31, 2025
Photo: Canva
February 17, 2025
