Sharing renewable energy in S-E Asia key to dealing with rising heat: Expert

He says tropical region has great access to climate solutions that tap natural ecosystems

- Ang Qing Correspondent

Sharing renewable energy will be key to Southeast Asia's ability to deal with deadly heat without driving up planet-warming carbon emissions, climate scientist Winston Chow told The Straits Times on Nov 11.

Those in the region who work outdoors or live in informal settlements like slums are most at risk of suffering from rising temperatures, the co-chair of the working group of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for climate impacts, adaptation and vulnerability told media on the second day of COP30.

His comments came after 185 cities, including Singapore, committed to localising efforts to make cooling more accessible and less polluting.

Cooling can be unsustainable when it uses electricity generated from fossil fuels, which contribute to emissions. Some refrigerants relied on by cooling devices are also powerful greenhouse gases.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Nov 11 warned that demand for cooling is projected to triple by 2050 because of rising temperatures, growing populations, and increased access to inefficient cooling systems.

Left unchecked, emissions from cooling could nearly double, overwhelming power grids and putting climate goals out of reach, the report found.