South Asia: shared views on development and climate change
This report targets the development priorities of countries in South Asia by addressing climate change related risks and harnessing development opportunities that promote low-carbon growth. It asserts that adaptation to climate change lies at the heart of the climate response, because it is critical in reducing climate-related threats to development.
The document has two parts. Part I defines the broad parameters, directions, and principles for addressing the climate-change challenge in South Asia. It begins with an assessment of the global dimension of the problem. It then identifies the broad likely impacts of climate change in South Asia and the region’s recent contribution to the problem. It outlines the reasons why the region is highly vulnerable to the likely impacts of climate change and the key principles that would guide a response to the climate challenge in ways that are sensitive to country needs.
Part II provides a detailed assessment of the potential risks and responses in sectors where climate risks and consequences are high: water resources, agriculture, energy, transport, the urban space, biodiversity, and the social sphere.