‘Focus on impact of climate changes’

KUALA LUMPUR: Strong Asian leaders who are committed to addressing the impact of climate change on the region are needed.
"Climate change is not an issue that environmental ministers can deal with on their own," said Singapore Institute of International Affairs chairman Simon S.C. Tay.The broader issues like displacement of people, the deterioration of land and water resources for food production and the increased spread of diseases must also be addressed, he said. "Issues like energy use, industrialisation, trade, public transport, the planning of cities are all implicated in climate change, and government leaders must set the right direction and co-ordinate policies coherently. "If we don’t treat it from a political angle, there’s no way this matter can be dealt with effectively," he said at the 21st Asia-Pacific Roundtable discussion organised by the Institute of Strategic and International Studies.
He was speaking at a plenary session on "Climate change: The security impact and responses in the short, medium and long term".Most Asian states, he said, are avoiding deeper engagement and any obligations under a climate change regime."The Cebu Declaration, for example, avoids talk about binding commitments or caps on emissions. The parties stress voluntary measures that involve the private sector and introduction of more efficient and innovative technologies." Tay also fears that in the rush to find solutions, the problems could be made worse. He said the problems include increasing competition and conflict for oil and gas, the dangers of pursuing nuclear energy, and some types of biofuels which cause more harm to the environment than traditional energy sources. The Roundtable also discussed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and whether they promote economic integration. Dr Andrew Elek, executive director of Bellendena Partners Australia, said that looking at the experience in Western Europe, FTAs do not necessarily create a genuine, integrated economic community. The former senior economist with the World Bank said in his paper on "The Asia Pacific Region: Economic Integration in the 21st century" that several groups have looked at the prospects for Asean+3 and they all see a grand FTA as the ultimate dream.Malaysian ambassador-at-large Tan Sri Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak said in his paper entitled "Asean+3, East Asia Summit and Apec: Ensuring Productive Synergy" that a decision must be made in order to ensure productive synergy from Asean+3, the East Asian Summit and Apec.The five-day forum has attracted 450 delegates from over 20 countries.