BY ANASTASIA KURNIADI, ASSOCIATE
Nearly a year after COP28, the call for a people-centered approach to climate action has never been louder. The impacts of climate change are increasingly felt in Southeast Asia, ranging from record-breaking temperatures to intense tropical cyclones, affecting the millions of livelihoods across the region.
As the urgency to amplify the voices and realities of the Global South becomes more widely recognized, so does the need for more unified collaboration within the region in order to turn goals into meaningful action.
The first-ever Southeast Asia Climate Philanthropy Forum arrived at a critical time, bringing together 200 representatives from governments, the private sector, civil society, youth leaders, and climate foundations to accelerate solutions for clean energy, clean air, and ocean protection. These areas have huge implications for the region:
- Clean energy is both an access and a transition challenge. In 2019, 45 million people in Southeast Asia—nearly nine times the population of Singapore—still lacked access to electricity. On a brighter note, the renewable energy sector in the region is projected to create 2.2 million new jobs by 2030.
- Air pollution is a “great equalizer”, yet its impacts are exacerbated by existing inequalities. Southeast Asia is home to 37 out of 40 of the world’s most air-polluted cities, exposing 99% of the population to unsafe air. These levels of air pollution have led to an average life expectancy reduction of 1.5 years, including 352,000 premature deaths across the region in 2017.
- Southeast Asia’s dependency on the ocean is significant, yet our waters are still under threat.
Over 10 million people in the region rely on fisheries and aquaculture for livelihoods, while coastal mangrove forests keep thousands of lives safe from tsunamis and storms. However, less than 4% of seas in the region fall under formal protection, falling short of the global average of 8%.
APC was invited to co-host a roundtable on ocean conservation and protection, together with Rare and Rumah Foundation. Our session, “Accelerating 30×30: Inclusive Partnerships for Marine Conservation”, gathered voices of various stakeholders around the table—from seasoned practitioners and experts to community leaders who were taking the stage for the first time.
Here are our top takeaways from this event:
1. Climate Solutions Require a People-Centered Approach
Tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis requires a shift from preservation to restoration and human well-being. This is especially critical in Southeast Asia, where local livelihoods are deeply connected to their environment. In a region deeply affected by climate and development challenges, a people-centered approach is needed to ensure that society benefits equitably from the opportunities provided by these climate solutions.
For example, La Ode Awaludin, a fisherman from Indonesia, shared his inspiring transition from hunting sea turtles to protecting over 350 hatchlings and leading environmental campaigns in his village. Empowering local communities with rights and resources to sustainably manage their resources helps both conservation and community resilience goals.
2. Community Ownership Ensures Longevity
Community-led approaches are essential for long-term sustainability, as local ownership ensures initiatives continue beyond NGO involvement. In Raja Ampat, the Sasi tradition—historically managed by men for natural resource management—is still in practice. Mama Betsi and Mama Almina established Waifuna, Papua’s first women’s group with a Sasi management area, which today covers 215 hectares. Here, resources like sea cucumbers and lobsters are protected by Sasi until the harvest season
As emphasized by panelists, local communities and Indigenous communities must be involved in decision-making and be empowered to spearhead their own initiatives, to ensure that projects sustain long after NGOs leave. A community-based approach requires flexibility, humility, and patience from partners to ensure long-term success, as it involves changing behaviors and experimenting with new solutions. It is a process that takes time.
3. Investments are Needed in Multiple Levels for Holistic Solutions
Addressing the challenges of clean energy, clean air, and ocean protection requires coordinated efforts at all levels. Government leaders can create an enabling environment for climate solutions by implementing suitable policies. The private sector can bring the investment and resources necessary to integrate communities into commerce. In addition, capacity building of practitioners further strengthens the implementation of climate solutions on multiple levels.
Philanthropy plays a vital role in bridging knowledge gaps, forging partnerships, and fostering people-centered collaborations. This multi-stakeholder approach must be attuned to socio-economic contexts to avoid the risk of “coordination failure.”
4. Leaving No One Behind for a Just and Equitable Transition
According to Bridgespan, the green economy transition offers a US$1 trillion opportunity for Southeast Asia by 2030, paving the way for a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future. This shift could also create 30 million green jobs in key sectors such as solar, the built environment, sustainable farming, electric mobility, and waste management. However, achieving this requires large-scale workforce development.
Currently, little attention has been given to how to prepare individuals and communities for emerging green jobs. Significant investments will be needed to develop a climate-ready workforce, foster talent development, and motivate entrepreneurship. Governments and local communities must collaborate to create reskilling programs in areas most affected by the transition.
From Now On, It’s ‘All Hands on Deck’
The path forward is clear: we need collaborative action across sectors to drive climate solutions that empower local communities. Adopting a people-centered approach means starting with people’s needs and contexts and framing solutions in ways that resonate with philanthropists and policymakers.
This forum amplified the call to action that now, more than ever, it’s time to scale up efforts that benefit both people and the planet.
Anastasia Kurniadi,
24 October 2024