2023.12.11 Mon.

16:30 - 17:45

Advancing Scientific Tools and Synergies for Climate Change Risk Assessment in the Asia-Pacific

Organizer

National Institute for Environmental Studies

Co-organizer

Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ)

Seminar abstract

Abstract

We will discuss scientific tools and synergies with the aim of enhancing climate change adaptation efforts. The platform AP-PLAT, operated by the Center for Climate Change Adaptation of the National Institute for Environmental Studies, offers ClimoCast, a tool for predicting future climate change impacts. Additionally, the Risk and Resilience Portal operated by ESCAP assists in understanding and assessing cascading risks that will become more severe due to climate change. We will demonstrate how to use these tools and collect data for climate change impact assessment tailored to participants' countries and regions. Discussions will provide an opportunity to share findings and receive feedback from international organizations and national administrators involved in adaptation planning, deepening understanding of these scientific tools. By introducing state-of-the-art scientific tools and data and facilitating discussions with potential users at COP28, our seminar is dedicated to strengthening the decision-making process on climate change through the utilization of scientific findings.

Program

Opening remarks -2 min-

Ayuko Kobayakawa MOEJ

Context setting -3 min-

Yuji Masutomi NIES

Scientific tools on climate projection: ClimoCast -15 min-

Yuji Masutomi NIES

Scientific tools on risk assessment: Risk and Resilience Portal in the Asia-Pacific region -15 min-

Daisuke Maruichi ESCAP

Panel discussion -35 min-

• Ahmed Rasheed MMS
• Hanna Cho KEI
• Karma NCHM
• Noelle O'Brien ADB
• Ofa Kaisamy PCCC

Concluing remarks -5 min-

Sanjay Srivastava　ESCAP

Speakers

In-person

• Yuki Yoshida / National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES)
• Ayuko Kobayakawa / Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ)
• Yuji Masutomi / National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES)
• Daisuke Maruichi / United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
• Hyun-gyu Kim / Korea Environment Institute (KEI) Research Fellow
• Karma / National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology, Bhutan (NCHM)
• Noelle O'Brien / Asian Development Bank (ADB)
• Ofa Kaisamy / Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC)
• Sanjay Srivastava / United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)

Online

• Ahmed Rasheed / Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS)

Related Links

• Climate Risk Projections Using AP-PLAT Data in the Maldives
• Climate Exposure Analysis Using AP-PLAT Data in the Maldives

Session Summary

The seminar "Scientific Tools and Synergies for Climate Change Risk Assessment in the Asia-Pacific Region" introduced tools to support climate change in the Asia-Pacific region, and a panel discussion was held with stakeholders involved in climate change adaptation in the region. After opening remarks by Ms. Ayuko Kobayakawa of the Ministry of the Environment, Dr. Yuji Masutomi of the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) demonstrated ClimoCast, a tool developed and provided by the Asia-Pacific Adaptation Information Platform (AP-PLAT) that allows local governments to check future climate change projections. Mr. Daisuke Maruichi from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) introduced the Risk and Resilience Portal, a tool provided by ESCAP to estimate complex risk hotspots of natural disasters, economic losses, and adaptation costs.
A panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Yuki Yoshida (NIES), followed, featuring Dr. Sanjay Srivastava of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Dr. Ofa Kaisamy of the Pacific Climate Change Center (PCCC), Ms. Noelle O'Brien of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Dr. Karma of the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), Kingdom of Bhutan, and Dr. Hyun-gyu Kim of the Korea Environment Institute (KEI) as panelists. They discussed the importance and challenges of using tools in climate change adaptation. The panelists also mentioned actionable next steps in the development of scientific tools for adaptation.

Message and Results

The seminar reiterated the need for impact assessment tools to help policymakers assess and plan for climate change adaptation based on scientific evidence. It also highlighted the demand for higher-resolution data in many countries, with economic challenges serving as a delaying factor. NIES and ESCAP, the seminar hosts, announced their commitment to enhancing collaboration to expand their joint efforts in establishing an early warning system for the Asia-Pacific region. Beyond these two organizations, seminar participants expressed their intent to strengthen ties with other participating organizations and collaborate on tool development.