Climate change impacts the poorest disproportionately. Rural people - comprising nearly 67 percent of the GMS population - are particularly vulnerable due to their dependence on climate-sensitive natural resources and limited adaptive capacity. Improved planning and appropriate investments in climate change adaptation is needed to safeguard development gains and further reduce poverty in the GMS.
There is also a clear need to improve efforts in the GMS to mitigate climate change. Forests in the GMS, which are important reservoirs of carbon, have reduced by 8 million hectares since 1990 – an area equivalent to almost one third the size of Lao PDR. During the same period, greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in the GMS (excluding PRC) grew by 120%. Climate finance and new technology must be harnessed to promote low-carbon development.
CEP is working to integrate climate change considerations in development planning and biodiversity conservation in the GMS. Our focus is on:
Building capacity to plan for climate change by
Strengthening national monitoring systems by
Developing and testing adaptation and mitigation options by
Click here to find out more about these activities and other CEP work on climate change.