Progress and Challenges of the Asia-Pacific Climate Security Project: How to Address Diverse Risks

The Asia-Pacific Climate Security Project is entering its final year. Undertaken by IGES, efforts have been made to survey and research the current state of climate change measures and the understanding of climate security in the Asia-Pacific region, with the aim of considering how climate security can be effectively positioned as a concept and policy area. The focus of the project has been on examining the diverse risks that could evolve into security threats posed by climate change. In particular, typhoons, floods, heatwaves, or the rise in wildfires, among others, resulting from increased and intensified weather phenomena.

Usually, discussions on the security dimension of climate change have primarily occurred in forums such as the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations General Assembly. Security-related risks frequently discussed include the link between climate change and potential conflict, or existential threats to island nations due to the sea-level rise. However, climate security lacks a dedicated forum for discussion akin to the UNFCCC, and thus consensus on its substantive content is yet to be established.

This session aims to report on the progress and challenges of the Asia-Pacific Climate Security Project, whilst addressing the topics of food security, energy security, climate change-induced migration, climate change adaptation, and maritime security. Researchers from IGES and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation will lead this discussion of interest to stakeholders working on security-related topics, including government bodies, the media, and NPOs/NGOs.