Bangkok, 26 June 2008 – Asian cities today agreed to address climate change and to join forces to become climate-friendly beacons within the region.
 
Mayors and delegates from Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Albay, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Beijing, Delhi and Fukuoka met to discuss boosting city-level planning to tackle the impacts and emissions linked with rising greenhouse gases.

“While we realize that global warming will have costly implications for cities, we also know that many of the sectors that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions are also concentrated in cities. What we do at city level and collectively will contribute to addressing what is a serious problem facing all of us today,” said Apirak Kosayodhin, Governor of Bangkok.

Buildings, transport, and industry, all concentrated in urban zones, are among the key sectors that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions have increased by 70 percent between 1970 and 2004, with emissions from the transport sector growing at more than 120 percent, while the buildings sector emissions have grown by 75 percent.

 “A large majority of cities today are located on the coast. With sea-level rise, these cities are vulnerable to floods, which will put homes and infrastructure at risk. Frequent weather changes and extreme weather events will also affect agricultural output and lead to food shortages in cities. At city level, we will have to do what we can to adapt to these changes,” said Hiroshi Nishimiya, Deputy Regional Director, United Nations Environment Programme, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.  

The delegates discussed cooperation to support innovative policies and measures, including promotion of energy efficient and clean technologies in key urban economic sectors.

 “There are a number of options that we can consider but we now have to move beyond these measures and ensure adaptation measures are taken into account in existing land use planning, infrastructure design and disaster risk reduction strategies,” Governor Apirak added.

The Bangkok Declaration on Climate Change was endorsed during the ‘ASEAN+6 City Forum on Climate Change’, which was organized by the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA), the United Nations Environment Programme, and other partners. 

The Bangkok Assessment Report on Climate Change will be released later this year. A Manual for Development of National and City Assessment Reports on Climate Change, prepared with leading experts from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in the region, is also underway.

For more information, please contact:
Ms. Satwant Kaur, Regional Information Officer, UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Tel: 02 2882127; Mobile: 0839086000. E-mail: kaur@un.org
Ms. Chalika Noonin, Sanitary Officer, Department of Environment, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), Tel: 02 2460687. E-mail: environmentbma@gmail.com

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Climate Change Action Plans in Asian Cities

Bangkok, Thailand: The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Action Plan on Global Warming Mitigation is aimed at bringing about a 15% reduction in Bangkok's GHG emissions below currently projected 2012 emission levels within 5 years, through: expanding mass transit and improving the traffic system; promoting renewable energy and electricity consumption efficiency; improving waste management; and expanding park areas. Bangkok City has started concrete action on public transport options, clean energy, sustainable buildings, waste recycling, and increasing greening area. On the 9th day of every month there is a campaign to increase public awareness on Climate Change. The Bangkok Assessment Report on Climate Change will be launched in 2008. Many building projects are under consideration to be retrofitted, including hospitals, hotels, shopping complexes, condominiums and housing projects. A study is under progress to assess the potential for clean vehicles in Bangkok

Albay, Philippines: Albay in Action on Climate Change (A2C2), focused mainly in adaptation, was formally launched in August 2007. The plan includes strengthening and improving evacuation sites, introducing climate change curricula to schools, and training village officials in climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness. It includes a food-for-work scheme to clear out debris and blockages from the major rivers and creeks and tributaries that flow from the volcano to forestall flooding. The plan also calls for measures to protect coastal communities, including a major mangrove restoration project. Furthermore, Albay hosted the first national and regional conference last October on climate adaptation. The conference was attended by some 1,200 representatives of government, the commercial sector, scientists, international agencies and NGOs, and adopted a declaration calling in part for the development of national, regional and local climate adaptation plans, increased funding for climate change research and adaptation, and increased media focus on climate adaptation strategies.

Dongtan, China: Dongtan aims to be the world’s first fully fledged eco-city, which will be sustainable not just environmentally, but also socially, economically and culturally. Dongtan is located on an island that sits in the mouth of the Yangtse river, providing a home to thousands of rare birds, plants and other species in its wetlands. The demonstration phase for up to 10 000 people will be completed by 2010, when people would start moving in. The goal is to be as close to carbon neutral as possible, with urban transportation of zero carbon or particulate emissions, as well as highly efficient water and energy systems. Dongtan will produce its own energy from wind, solar, bio-fuel and recycled city waste. A majority of Dongtan's waste, including human sewage, will be reused for additional energy production and organic waste will be composted. Clean technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells will power public transport. A network of cycle and footpaths will help the city achieve very low vehicle emissions. Farmland within the Dongtan site will use organic farming methods to grow food.

Singapore: Singapore first announced in 2004 their national target to reduce their carbon intensity (CO2 emissions per dollar of GDP) to 25% below 1990 levels by 2012. Known as Energy Efficient Singapore (E2 Singapore), the Singapore plan comprises actions in; Promoting the adoption of energy efficient technology and measures by addressing market barriers to energy efficiency; Raising awareness among the public and businesses so as to stimulate energy efficient behaviour and practices; Building capability to drive, sustain energy efficiency efforts and develop the local knowledge base and expertise in energy management; Promoting research & development to enhance Singapore’s capabilities in energy efficient technologies.

Japan: Several Japanese cities have included CO2 reduction goals in their plans. Kyoto was the first city in Japan to enact a local global warming countermeasure plan in April 2005, and now for example Tokyo has an action plan that calls for a 25% reduction of GHG emissions from 2000 levels in 2020, and the “Kamakura City Basic Environmental Plan” includes a 20% GHG per capita reduction goal. Japan as a country, is the only one in the Asia Pacific region which has made a commitment under the Kyoto Protocol, has pledged a 6 % reduction in GHG emissions from the 1990 level, to be achieved during the 2008-2012 period.  It has an implementation plan in place, which includes an increase in fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles, new standards for commercial vehicles and aircraft, tax incentives for low emission vehicle technologies, and overall energy efficiency improvements in the economy.

UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME (UNEP)
UNEP is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.
www.unep.org

UNEP REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples in Asia and the Pacific to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. It works with governments, local authorities as well as industry to develop and implement cleaner and safer policies and strategies that encourages efficient use of natural resources and reduces risks for humans and the environment.
www.roap.unep.org

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is responsible for the management of the city of Bangkok. It is the sole organization at the local authority level responsible for the well-being of Bangkok residents with some financial support from the central government.  The Governor, Mr. Apirak Kosayodhin, is the chief of the city administration, elected by popular vote for a four-year term.  The BMA Council comprises of elected members, the number of members depending on the number of the Bangkok population; currently there are 60 councilors.
www.bangkok.go.th

UNEP ROAP News Release 08/8