OVERVIEW
This policy dialogue gave an overview of some of the key questions for Asia and Europe currently discussed at the COP15, also covering the issue of REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation).
The ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan was introduced as a crucial tool in the battle against climate change due to its essential role in raising awareness and building knowledge among the young generation. This event aimed at raising awareness among decision-makers in Europe about the significance of partnerships between Asia and Europe in the area of climate change and sustainable development.
THE ISSUES
The event evaluated what is at stake for Asia and Europe in the final COP15 negotiations. The UNFCCC COP15 negotiation round in December 2009 was widely regarded as the last chance to come to a post-Kyoto agreement on emission reductions. Shortly before the official end of the high-level segment in Copenhagen, this event was therefore well-placed to assess the status of negotiations.
Climate change caused by emissions of greenhouse gases is one of the gravest challenges facing humanity. The countries of Southeast Asia will be hit particularly hard by climate change. Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam are especially vulnerable because of their large coastal populations facing rising sea levels and rely heavily on rice and other agriculture products which could suffer from water shortages as well as floods. European countries will also feel the various impacts of climate change due to more extreme weather events and an overall change in climatic conditions that will also affect the agricultural cycle.
In recognition of the need to address man-made climate change at a joint level, this event assessed the significance of Asia-Europe partnerships in the area of climate change and sustainable development.
