Asia ‘facing climate crisis’
ing a rise of 6 C, it added.
Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and northwest China could experience even hotter climates, with temperatures rising 8 C, it added.
This would bring drastic changes in the region’s weather, biodiversity, agriculture and fisheries, and drive migration as some parts become less habitable, said the report.
“Such a scenario may even pose an existential threat to some countries in the region, and crush any hope of achieving sustainable and inclusive development,” the ADB said in a statement.
Asia-Pacific is home to twothirds of the world’s population and nine out of 15 countries listed as most vulnerable to natural hazards globally.
Millions of people in South Asia are already affected by rising temperatures, and despite impressive economic growth, United Nations’ figures show one in 10 Asians still live in extreme poverty.
Floods in India that have killed at least 40 people and displaced nearly 1.5 million have also inundated a national park that is home to the world’s largest concentration of one-horned rhinoceros.
Investments to rapidly shift Asia’s economy onto a low-carbon path must be a high priority because the coming decade is crucial to achieving the Paris Agreement goals, the report said.
Many countries in the region still rely heavily on fossil fuels for energy. The ADB said it would invest $4 billion by 2020 to promote renewable energy supplies and green growth across the region.