Aptly named, the book Climate Change in Asia: Perspectives on the Future Climate Regime provides a critical and comprehensive examination of what governments in Asia are doing to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, and what they can do in the future.
Climate change is perhaps the most talked about environmental issue on the planet. It affects all of us, in every part of the globe, in every country. Within the debate, however, more work needs to focus on Asia, and the role it can and will play in reducing GHG emissions at the global scale. It is this gap in the literature that the book Climate Change in Asia helps to fill. For such a complex topic, the editors have successfully provided a useful and practical compilation of essential information on the Asian region and its role in the climate change debate.
The topic of climate change is a difficult one at best, involving multi-sectoral approaches and inter-linkages across a broad spectrum of industries and government ministries.Footnote 1 The challenge is how to maintain economic activity and growth while changing the very structures that promote that growth. Climate change is the first real test of humankind to actually implement the vision of ‘sustainable development’. There are a number of prongs in bringing about a new path of development: one being at the field level where actual technological changes to reduce GHG emissions are required, and yet another being at the policy level whereby governments, as perhaps the largest corporations, need to set directions that can reduce emissions. It is the latter topic that the book takes up, providing a number of inspirational moments throughout its pages.
The book is based on a two year study, and Sari comprehensively outlines the research questions in the first chapter of the book. While at times generic, the questions show that the study, and consequently the book, aims to answer or provide insight into some of the key questions in the climate change debate within an Asian context.
The book is made up of three parts: an overview, specific studies, and policy and institutional conclusions. The first part begins with a constructive global overview by three of the editors, Kameyama, Sari, and Kanie. This part provides a solid background and informative reading for both the novice and expert alike. It sets the scenario for the ways in which other countries are active in the field, and at what level the bar is set, so to speak, for Asia to play a constructive role in the process. In particular, Kanie's chapter on the allowed volume of GHG emissions in the future provides a clear perspective on what the book aims to achieve.
The second part of the book looks at initiatives, deficiencies, and success stories within a number of countries in the Asian region, namely China, Japan, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, and Bangladesh. The countries are well identified, and the inclusion of Bangladesh as a country at particular peril of climate change is welcomed. In particular, the chapter on India by Bhandari provides a solid and comprehensive overview of the initiatives and programmes undertaken in that country, while the chapter on Japan by Kameyama provides much-needed literature on the Japanese decision-making processes. When reading the country studies, one begins to understand the sheer size of the task that the research project and editors have undertaken, and full credit must be given to the efforts of the editors on maintaining focus throughout the book. Such efforts have made the book an enjoyable read.
The third part makes a concerted effort to draw conclusions from the research, particularly in terms of institutions and how the region as a whole can move forward in playing a definite role in attacking this global problem. Of particular interest was Soejachmoen's chapter on market mechanisms, including implementation of projects under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), an area that provides a practical outlet for GHG emission reductions in a format that governments can understand.Footnote 2 In the book's concluding chapter, Kameyama and Kanie make constructive proposals on how Asia can be more involved in the climate change debate, including ways in which countries can strengthen their institutions, together with a further examination of CDM projects in the region.
The book inspires the reader to want more. For instance, when reading the country studies, one cannot help but realize how diverse ‘Asia’ really is, and how different strategies of GHG mitigation at both national and sectoral levels will ultimately be needed. If so, as part of the book's conclusion, what could they look like? Further, while the political debate is currently centered on developed versus developing countries, one can't help but feel that China must by now be considered a ‘major economic power’ (the reference is used by Kameyama for Japan), and, consequently, the reader is left with the feeling that more can be expected.
The debate on climate change is relatively fast-paced, and primarily political in nature. As such, it is impossible for this book to encompass all the latest events. However, when reading the book, issues of competitiveness and the vital American stance came to mind. What if America and the EU adopt a clean energy economy? How would that affect Asia's competitiveness and what do countries need to do now to protect national interests? Further, more information on Emissions Trading (ET) would also have been appreciated, while new technology questions, in particular the possible role for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)Footnote 3 technologies may also have been addressed more. These and other questions may provide fuel for a follow up project.
The book Climate Change in Asia shows itself to be a successful outcome of the two-year study on which it is based, and pro-actively works to fill the literature void on Asia in the climate change debate. The book is a must read for government officers, researchers, and environmental organizations working and interested in the Asian region.
