Four researchers from the Economy and Environment Partnership for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA) participated in a special session on “Pathways to inclusive carbon transition in Asia: Greening Agriculture and Local Climate Governance” at the 56th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank. Dr. Pham Khanh Nam, the EEPSEA Director, coordinated the session, which aimed to foster dialogue and knowledge-sharing among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. He said that inclusive carbon transition is a crucial challenge for Asia, as the region faces the dual goals of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and ensuring social welfare.
The session featured three talks covering various aspects of Asia’s inclusive carbon transition. Dr. Nguyen Quang from Vietnam presented a policy review of developing countries in Asia and discussed multiple strategies, such as carbon pricing, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture, which could help achieve low-carbon development. Dr. Phumsith Mahasuweerachai from the Economy and Environment Institute of Lower Mekong Subregion (EEI-LMS) analyzed the GHG emissions and livelihood impacts of different rice practices in Thailand and suggested ways to make the benefits of greener agriculture more visible. Dr. Gem Castillo of the Economy and Environment Group Philippines shared his experience co-creating a climate governance model with local stakeholders in Iriga City and highlighted the challenges and opportunities for strengthening community resilience.
After the talks, Ms. Haidy Ear-Dupuy, the head of the ADB’s Civil Society Unit, gave the ADB’s reflections and perspectives on the presentations. She spoke highly of the quality of the session and the compelling evidence presented in the talks. Overall, the session was successful in fostering dialogue and knowledge-sharing among participants. It provided a foundation for further discussion, network-building, and collaborations to advance research and policy agendas. “The session highlighted the importance of considering the social and economic impacts of carbon transition policies on vulnerable communities and engaging with local communities in designing and implementing climate policies,” said Haidy Ear-Dupuy.