With dozens of islands across Asia and Oceania as well as many low-lying territories bordering the Pacific Ocean extensively, the Asia-Pacific region is one of the most vulnerable to natural disasters and most at risk due to global warming and rising sea levels. Many countries across the region are heavily investing in futureproofing their infrastructures and adapting to the new challenges. Indonesia, the region's third most populous country, is currently building a new capital city, with the impacts of climate change on its current capital Jakarta being a major catalyst.
Emissions: a major catalyst for global warming
The Asia-Pacific region is by far the
biggest carbon dioxide emitter worldwide, followed by North America and Europe. As several APAC countries rank among the
leading energy consumers globally, it becomes apparent why electricity and heat production is the sector accountable for the
biggest volume of carbon dioxide emissions in the region. While carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring greenhouse gas that is essential in trapping heat in the earth's atmosphere, the ongoing increase in industrial CO2 emissions is among the most concerning accelerators of global warming, leading to the melting of ice caps and thereby rising sea levels.
Effects of climate change on the APAC region
The rising ocean levels pose an existential threat to several low-lying Asian countries and cities. More than fifteen million people were projected to be
affected by sea-level rise and flooding in seven major cities in Asia by 2030, with highly populated capitals like Bangkok, Jakarta, and Manila being particularly vulnerable.
Apart from geophysical circumstances such as recurring tectonic and seismic activity in the region, climate change is the biggest reason why Asia-Pacific is the most disaster-prone territory in the world. The region is frequently exposed to different
types of biological and hydro-meteorological disasters including floods, cyclones, and droughts. The Philippines is one of the countries most vulnerable to a
variety of natural disasters.
A new, green capital city in construction
Indonesia's new city
Nusantara is set to be inaugurated in August 2024 and will be replacing megacity Jakarta as the country's capital. The city is located in East Kalimantan province on Borneo Island and is projected to finish construction in 2045. Apart from Jakarta's population density, traffic congestion, and air pollution, the move is also motivated by the current capital's exposure to climate change impacts. Due to unrestricted groundwater extraction and rising sea levels, Jakarta is one of the fastest-sinking cities in the world with
flooding frequently occurring. In contrast, Nusantara's location is less prone to
natural disasters, and the city is officially planned as a sustainable forest city, with government scenarios aiming for
net-zero emissions by 2045. However, many concerns have been voiced regarding the city's expansive construction on the highly biodiverse Borneo Island which, alongside the Indonesian island Sumatra, is one of the last habitats for wild orangutans.
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