Lukyanets A.S., Manshin R.V., Moiseeva E.M. ASEAN Climate and Environmental Agenda: Growing Risks and Promising Responses. In: ASEAN on the Way of Integration: Achievements, Challenges, Dilemmas: Monograph ...

Abstract

The chapter explores the main climate and environmental risks for the sustainable development of ASEAN member states. The introduction outlines the key goals and objectives of ASEAN in the field of environment preservation and adaptation to climate change, and highlights the main obstacles to their implementation. Then paper continues with a brief overview of current trends in the demographic and socio-economic development of the region in the context of their relationship with environmental deterioration and the negative impacts of climate change. Then, a description of the main trends in climate change in ASEAN and their consequences is given. It is shown that these tendencies pose a threat to population's life and health, as well as to the economic production. The main environmental problems inherent in the ASEAN countries are identified, including air pollution, deforestation, soil degradation, fresh water shortage, biodiversity reduction, solid waste pollution, and high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. In conclusion, the authors substantiate the necessity of an integrated approach to solving the problems of sustainable development, ecology and climate, the development of a set of measures that would allow preserving the unique natural resources of the ASEAN countries in the future without compromising the well-being of the population in the present.