What does the Paris Agreement mean for the Asia-Pacific?

Recently I attended an absolutely enriching conference on the Review and Implementation of the Paris Agreement in the Asia-Pacific Region. Given the fact that this region is the most vulnerable to climate change, it is extremely essential to discuss how much do international treaties and agreements actually affect the targeted parties.

The UNESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) exclusively looks at Climate Change policies, threats etc on the Asia-Pacific.

During the two day conference, I realized how much brainstorming is conceptualized to make substantial changes and help governments fight climate change threats. The extent and scope of these mechanisms goes beyond our comprehension.

Here's a general bird's eye view of what the Paris Agreement means to Asia and the Pacific and how it can be well implemented.

1. The Paris Agreement is considered to be a key instrument under UNFCCC (United Nations Framework on Climate Change Conference) however, it is shockingly subjective and abstract. It hardly offers any substantial mechanism to achieve the ambitious goals it lists.

2. It calls for what is called a 'bottom to up' approach. This is probably the only part which makes it different from other treaties. This means that member nations are allowed to set their own 'emission-limits' and INDCs  (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions) to achieve the bigger goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5-2% in the long run.

However, it has many cons:

a) Lack of mechanisms to determine and calculate Green House Gas and carbon emissions

b) Lack of a transparent international body to determine whether Nations are honestly reporting and evaluating their emissions

c) Its non-punitive nature, just like former agreements, offers no incentive for member parties to actually abide by the Agreement

d) Substantial lack of technology transfer and carbon reporting mechanisms to assist LDCs (Least Developed Countries) that are not equipped to carry out these processes by themselves.

e) The Agreement is also vague on the issue of Climate Finance. It merely calls upon the developed nations to 'voluntarily contribute' to the various climate funds like the Green Climate Fund.

f) It also offers no specific solution to tackle the Loss and Damage caused by Climate Change.

g) Private firms and industries are responsible for a huge chunk of pollution caused. The Agreement does not offer any guideline for member nations to include the private sector in the ambit of this Agreement.

h) It raises the issue of climate refugees but again offers no explicit ways to help them.

Here's a suggested list of solutions and suggestions to facilitate the implementation of the Paris Agreement in the Asia-Pacific:

1. Regulating determination of INDCs

- Using SBSTA (Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice) and other bodies to assist governments in areas of technology, emission recording, etc

- Creating a common platform/forum for nations to share information regarding emissions and pollutants and means to control them

2. Ensuring Transparency in reporting
- Empowering IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) or any other subsidiary body to devise a uniform reporting system

3. Prevention of Loss and Damage due to natural disasters

- Warsaw Mechanism for Loss and Damages to be referred to for guidance on means to prevent loss and damages

- Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction to be used more frequently and subsequently adhered to

4. Trade as a means to combat effect of climate change

-Harness the potential of geographical proximity within the Asian-Pacific

-Urging all member nations to join the APTA (Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement)

- Intra-trade will reduce transportation costs and help use the surplus money in investing in unconventional sources of energy

5. Taking the private sector in the ambit of Paris Agreement

- Urge nations to impose at least 1-2% CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) in the field of environment development

- Call upon specific private institutions to credit, certify or fund firms investing the highest in pro-environment activities

- introduce Green Investment Banks for easier funding of projects aiming to control climate change

6. Creation of a specific body under UNESCAP for climate  refugees and appeal to UNHCR (United Nations High Commission on Refugees) to recognize climate refugees (current refugee law has no provision for climate refugee).

7. UNESCAP must create forums to associate with rural women in highly vulnerable areas and empower them through awareness and social entrepreneurship workshops.

8. Funds calling for voluntary donations are inexhaustible and unsustainable hence financing should come from high penalties on environmental excesses, green bonds, green investment banks, etc or by incentivizing foreign investment in targeted  countries by offering investors tax cuts, cheap labour, etc.