1、The opportunity for social investorsHARNESSING THE POWER OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR CLIMATE ADAPTATIONReport partnershipForewordExecutive summaryCHAPTER 1IntroductionThe climate adaptation imperative in APACThe promise of digital technologies in climate adaptationCHAPTER 2The adaptation action fram

2、ework for APACCHAPTER 3 Pressing climate risks and tech solutions across key themesAgriculture and food securityWater resourcesDisaster managementPublic healthCHAPTER 4Harnessing the power of digital technologiesEmerging digital technology use cases Weather forecasting and modelling Resource monitor

3、ing and management Disaster preparedness and response Agricultural optimisation Climate and health intelligence systemsIn summaryCHAPTER 5Call to actionFinancial interventionsEcosystem initiatives Policy advocacy Other ecosystem-building initiativesCHAPTER 6AnnexMethodologyGlossaryDefinitions of dig

4、ital technologies covered in this report Acknowledgements346 93234 37404586063666669 7172747779Photo by Brusse from PContentsReport partnershipSupported by Google.org and ADB,AVPN collaborated with Dalberg Advisors to develop the report Harnessing the power of digital technolog

5、ies for climate adaptation:The opportunity for social investors.Detailed research was conducted on the climate technology ecosystem,uncovering key insights including potential solutions and constraints across social sectors.This report aims to highlight innovative technological solutions addressing

6、climate challenges and explore their impact on society.Additionally,it pinpoints opportunities for social investors and policymakers to advance solutions to address the impacts of climate change in the Asia-Pacific region.AVPN is the largest network of social investors in Asia,comprising over 600 di

7、verse members across 33 markets.Our mission is to increase the flow and effectiveness of financial,human,and intellectual capital in Asia by enabling members to channel resources towards impact.As an ecosystem builder,AVPN connects,learns,acts,and leads across key pillars and improves the effectiven

8、ess of capital deployed,bringing to bear the local field needs,regional expertise,and policy insights.For more information about AVPN and our work,please visit our website.Google.org,Googles philanthropy,brings the best of Google to help solve some of humanitys biggest challenges combining funding,p

9、roduct donations and technical expertise to support underserved communities and provide opportunity for everyone.We engage nonprofits,social enterprises and civic entities who make a significant impact on the communities they serve,and whose work has the potential to produce scalable,meaningful chan

10、ge.The Asian Development Bank(ADB)is committed to achieving a prosperous,inclusive,resilient,and sustainable Asia and the Pacific,while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.It assists its members and partners by providing loans,technical assistance,grants,and equity investments to pro

11、mote social and economic development.Dalberg Advisors is a strategic advisory firm combining the best of private sector strategy skills and rigorous analytical capabilities with deep knowledge and networks across emerging and frontier markets.It has a dedicated climate practice to help clientsfrom g

12、overnments to multinationals and financial institutions in reaching net zero,creating climate solutions,and catalysing a climate community.For more information about Dalberg and our work,please visit our website.H A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L

13、I M A T E A D A P T A T I O NPhoto by Quang Nguyen vinh from P3Photo by Tomas Anunziata from PH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N4In the words of Antnio Guterres,Secretary-General of the United Nations,“Climate change

14、is the defining issue of our time and we are at a defining moment.we need to do more and we need to do it quicker.”As we stand at this critical juncture,the urgency for innovative and scalable solutions to adapt to the accelerating impacts of climate change cannot be overstated.Supported by Google.o

15、rg and ADB,and developed in collaboration with Dalberg Advisors,this report presents actionable strategies to integrate digital innovations into tackling the dual challenges of climate change and development in the Asia-Pacific region.While we recognise climate adaptation and mitigation as complemen

16、tary approacheswhere adaptation addresses the direct effects of climate variability and mitigation reduces future impacts through sustainable practices,including decarbonisationthis report focuses on climate adaptation.This focus underscores the urgent necessity for the region to adapt to the escala

17、ting climate impacts,both to protect current developmental achievements and to secure future progress.The imperative for advanced technological solutions is clear:they are pivotal in enhancing our adaptive capacities,improving resilience,and ensuring that communities,especially the most vulnerable o

18、nes,can thrive in the face of climatic adversities.Digital technologiesranging from IoT-enabled digital sensors for farm-level drought monitoring to AI-enabled integrated flood prediction and communication systemsoffer unprecedented opportunities to optimise resource management,strengthen disaster r

19、esponse mechanisms,and foster informed decision-making processes that enable climate resilience.The role of catalytic capital is indispensable in this equation.It serves as the cornerstone for initiating and scaling up climate innovations that might ForewordPhoto by andreas160578 from PH A R N E S S

20、 I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N5votherwise be overlooked by traditional funding mechanisms.By providing the necessary financial backing and risk tolerance,social investors can unlock the potential of cutting-edge innovations th

21、at help anticipate and adapt to climate impacts.If done right,social investments can not only drive the development of transformative solutions but also ensure their widespread adoption and impact,especially in regions that need them most.However,the adoption of such technologies cannot occur in a v

22、acuum.It demands coordinated policy efforts that foster innovation while ensuring that these advancements are both accessible and equitable.Policymakers are crucial in this regard,as they establish clear regulations and frameworks that support responsible development and implementation of new techno

23、logies.This not only protects communities and economies from potential impacts but also boosts confidence among social investors,encouraging them to actively participate in the region.As we chart the course forward,lets embrace the challenge with a renewed sense of purpose and collaboration.The tool

24、s and capital to forge a resilient future are at our disposal.Only through a collective and focused effort can we hope to harness the full potential of these solutions to secure a resilient and prosperous future for the Asia-Pacific region.Aravindan SrinivasanDirector|Thematic Collaborations,AVPNFai

25、lure to adapt to growing climate risks poses significant economic and social threats to the Asia-Pacific(APAC)regionparticularly given that APAC is home to seven of the worlds ten most climate-vulnerable countries.Warming rates in the region surpass the global average;in 2022 alone,extreme weather e

26、vents in APAC affected over 50 million people and led to economic losses exceeding USD 36 billion.As temperatures continue to rise,the frequency and intensity of such events,along with corresponding losses,are anticipated to increase.Without swift action,climate-related losses could amount to 5%of t

27、he regions gross domestic product(GDP)by mid-century based on conservative estimates.Efforts to adapt to climate impacts must take centre stage for APAC.Decarbonisation is pivotal for steering towards net zero greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions,but mitigation strategies alone fall short of addressing the

28、immediate climate risks stemming from past and present emissions.1 This gap is particularly pronounced in APAC,where the tangible impacts of climate change are already intensifying existing socio-economic vulnerabilities.Despite contributing minimally to historical emissions,communities in small isl

29、and developing states(SIDS)in APAC bear disproportionate risks and lack the resources to respond effectively.Given the regions heightened vulnerability,it is imperative to prioritise actions that can help the region anticipate and adapt to climate risks while pursuing its net-zero targets.This is es

30、sential for ensuring climate equity in action.Financing for climate adaptation falls short of what is needed by 1420 times current funding levels.Social investors face hurdles in understanding the investment landscape and in identifying investment opportunities.Only 9%of global climate finance is ea

31、rmarked for adaptation(including projects with a dual focus on adaptation and mitigation);these funds predominantly flow from the public sector.2 Barriers to investing in climate adaptation solutions differ based on social investors investment approaches.3 Grantmakers often face challenges such as l

32、imited evidence and understanding of how to identify and apply a climate lens to their programming,as well as a lack of standardised outcome metrics.Impact investors,meanwhile,tend to find insufficient evidence of commercially viable adaptation projects.Digital technologies help address adaptation c

33、hallenges in ways that are cheaper,faster,and dynamic,presenting a clear opportunity for social investors to push the adaptation agenda forward:Cheaper:Digital technologies can significantly reduce the costs associated with implementing adaptation strategies.For instance,they enable scalable and cos

34、t-effectiveExecutive summary1 Joachim von Braun,Veerabhadran Ramanathan,Peter K.A.Turkson,Climate Mitigation Is Not Enough Focus on Resilience Now,in Nature,2022.2 Climate Policy Initiative,Global Landscape of Climate Finance 2023,2023.3 Description of social investors is provided in the report and

35、the glossary.H A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N6 ways to convey information to vulnerable communities in remote or hard-to-reach areas,particularly where infrastructure assets are highly susceptible to climatic disrup

36、tions.For example,Singapores Changi General Hospitals pilot of a long-term Heart Failure Telehealth Programme not only cut care costs by 42%compared to traditional methods but also showcased telemedicine as a crucial adaptation strategy in healthcare.By minimising travel,it reduces carbon emissions

37、and enhances patient access during extreme weather events,supporting resilience against climate impacts.4 Faster:Digital technologies streamline data communication and coordination,leading to swifter(and in some cases,more proactive)responses to climatic events.Research suggests that deploying AI-ba

38、sed forecasting techniques could achieve reliability in predicting extreme riverine flooding events up to five days in advance.5 This rapid response is crucial in reducing the physical and financial burdens associated with loss and damage from extreme events.The World Meteorological Association esti

39、mates that damage from disasters could be reduced by 30%if early warnings are issued within 24 hours,exemplifying the benefit of speed.6 Dynamic:Enhanced by digital technologies,real-time data collection,analysis,and decision-making enable more effective and immediate responses in quickly changing e

40、nvironments.For example,mobile applications managing crop health can offer timely,climate-smart advice based on real-time local data to cope with drought forecasts and pest outbreaks,allowing for proactive adaptation measures.Social investors are indispensable for catalysing change in under-invested

41、 impact areaslike climate and healthdue to their unique ability to provide funding and market-building support to high-priority opportunities without the expectations of market-rate financial returns.As in other emerging sectors,social investors can contribute to driving innovation in digital climat

42、e adaptation technologies.They can use a range of financial instruments,from impact-seeking capital like fully concessional grants to return-seeking investments such as market-rate debt and equity investments.This includes leveraging innovative funding mechanisms that pool capital in ways that match

43、 their preferences for impact and returns with the maturity and requirements of the solutions in question.This report aims to enhance the adaptation acumen of social investors by demonstrating examples across four themesagriculture,water resources,disaster management,and public healthwith a focus on

44、 emerging digital technology solutions.These thematic areas represent social sectors that are acutely susceptible to climate change impacts,and in turn affect the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable populations in APAC.The report provides a foundational framework for social investors to identify and

45、 support impactful digital technologies that contribute to the regions adaptation and resilience goals.Strategic investments in climate adaptation require a thematic understanding of climate risks and the corresponding opportunities they offer to investors.Social investors navigating the adaptation

46、and resilience investment opportunities in APAC can engage via the following four steps.4 World Economic Forum,Telehealth Could Be a Game-changer in the Fight Against COVID-19.Heres Why,2020.5 Grey Nearing,Deborah Cohen,Vusumuzi Dube,Martin Gauch,Oren Gilon,Shaun Harrigan,Avinatan Hassidim,Daniel Kl

47、otz,Frederik Kratzert,Asher Metzger,Sella Nevo,Florian Pappenberger,Christel Prudhomme,Guy Shalev,Shlomo Shenzis,Tadele Yednkachw Tekalign,Dana Weitzner,Yossi Matias,Global Prediction of Extreme Floods in Ungauged Watersheds,in Nature,2024.6 World Meteorological Organization,Early Warning System,acc

48、essed April 2024.H A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N71.Understand climate risks and opportunities.Begin by identifying and assessing climate risks and opportunities,prioritising among them and among target communities

49、based on their exposure and vulnerability to climate hazards,and identifying adaptation needs accordingly.2.Identify climate solutions.Assess opportunities to address these risks and whether technology has a role to play,such as by predicting real-time local climate risks or adapting to current and

50、expected impacts using climate-related data and insights.Crowd in inputs from climate-vulnerable communities,and seek to understand the maturity and impact potential of the proposed solutions.3.Support impactful solutions.Strategically allocate funds via relevant financial instruments to scale solut

51、ions per their respective stages of maturity,balancing the preferences for impact and financial returns with the affordability of solutions.At the same time,foster an enabling environment by investing in ecosystem-building initiatives such as capacity building and policy advocacy.4.Measure and commu

52、nicate impact.Collaboratively develop and adopt common frameworks for measuring adaptation impact across investments in APAC.This not only helps ensure transparency and accountability in quantifying the impact of adaptation investments but also can guide the investment of future resources towards so

53、lutions with demonstrated effectiveness and scalability.In this report,we profile five use cases that show potential for digital technologies to address climate adaptation risks.These include weather forecasting and modelling,resource monitoring and management,disaster preparedness and response,agri

54、cultural optimisation,and climate and health intelligence systems.Digital technologies for these use cases,if deployed at scale,have the potential to greatly enhance the regions climate resilience.Social investments have an opportunity across all five use cases to support their widespread developmen

55、t and adoption.Adaptation action framework for APACFIGURE 0.11243Communicate findings on results to help refine how investors identify risksPrioritise solutions to invest in based on their impact potentialUnderstand climate risks and vulnerabilities for relevant themesIdentify solutions for anticipa

56、ting and/or adapting to the risksProvide customised support to scale impactful solutionsMeasure and communicate the impact of investmentsH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N8Utilises digital technologies to provide accu

57、rate predictions of and insights into changing weather patterns and climatic conditions,addressing the growing uncertainty in weather patterns.For instance,artificial intelligence(AI)algorithms now actively enhance the precision of predictive analytics in integrated weather forecasting and communica

58、tion systems,leading to higher accuracy in predicting weather-related extreme events.7Trends:The deployment of weather data collection and forecasting models is mature.However,localised applications with enhanced predictive capabilities to capture climate risks and real-time communications are still

59、 evolving.Deployment in APAC is moderate with early evidence of commercial viability in Japan,Indonesia,and India.Way forward:APAC receives less than 5%of global commercial flows for developing weather forecasting and modelling,and execution is driven by government stakeholders.Social investments ca

60、n play a pivotal role in advancing the granularity of weather data by prioritising infrastructure deployment.Additionally,they can promote cross-regional stations for weather monitoring,forecasting,and sharing.Integrates advanced digital technologies to ensure the sustainable overseeing of critical

61、resources including soil,water,and air.Trends:Surface-level monitoring systems are advanced,but subsurface systems like groundwater monitoring are still in the early stages.Urban air quality monitoring is deployed in several urban centres and can be scaled into remote,climate-vulnerable regions.Howe

62、ver,there is a need to ensure that monitoring leads to action,especially by the government.Way forward:Social investments play a significant role in financing innovations and data infrastructures.However,there is a gap in funding initiatives for next-generation technologies,including predictive anal

63、ytics and real-time communication tools for at-risk communities.Integrates cutting-edge digital technologies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of detecting and responding to climate-related disasters,thereby reducing their destructive impact,despite their increasing frequency and intensity

64、.Trends:Integrated flood forecasting systems are commercially ready and already deployed in some countries.AI algorithms for forecasting different types of disasters need to be refined 7 Remi Lam,GraphCast:AI model for faster and more accurate global weather forecasting,in Google DeepMind,2023Weathe

65、r forecasting and modellingResource monitoring and managementDisaster preparedness and responseH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N9using locally available data,which requires initiatives to strengthen data collection a

66、t local scales.Optimisation models for relief responses and supply chain resilience are in early stages.Way forward:Social investors need to collaborate closely with state authorities.This partnership is crucial for building investor confidence in sustainable business-to-government(B2G)models that c

67、an attract commercial capital flows.Leverages precision agriculture technologies for comprehensive data-driven approaches to inform on-and off-farm activities.Trends:Agricultural optimisation has attracted the most commercial funding in the region across all use cases.Internet of Things(IoT)based de

68、vices,offering real-time crop health data,demonstrate commercial readiness and are widely integrated into precision agriculture.Way forward:Innovations in APAC require the co-creation of affordable solutions with agrarian communities.Social investments need to facilitate early-stage collaborations w

69、ith women and smallholder farmers to address last-mile perspectives.Gather real-time climate and health data from diverse sources and track parameters like temperature and disease outbreaks,addressing the escalating health threats exacerbated by climate change.Trends:Globally,health tech innovations

70、 have made progress and received significant funding in recent years,but these solutions lack climate-specific progress.Way forward:New innovative climatehealth intelligence systems are in the early stages regionally and globally.Urgent development,testing,and deployment in APAC are critical due to

71、the substantial health burden posed by climate change.Agricultural optimisationClimate and health intelligence systemsAs social investors consider their approach to supporting tech-forward innovation for climate resilience in APAC,they can consider the following areas for impact,categorised broadly

72、as investments in innovations,and investments in ecosystem building.H A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N10To support the growth of a vibrant ecosystem for digital technology in support of climate resilience,social inves

73、tors can direct resources towards the following:Policy advocacy1.Integrate digital technology deployment into national climate strategies,while acknowledging their role in climate action within information and communications technology(ICT)policies.2.Develop robust sectoral policies and initiatives

74、that encourage open data generation and sharing among state agencies,private sector innovators,and local communities.3.Establish regulatory sandboxes8 for more dynamic policymaking,to streamline the development,testing,and deployment of climate adaptation-focused digital innovations.4.Define and enf

75、orce regulations governing AI and other emerging technologies to tackle risks such as data privacy breaches,algorithmic biases,and reliability issues in climate-related applications.5.Implement policies that emphasise data quality assurance and standardisation in data collection processes,including

76、hardware specifications and data management protocols.To invest in innovations directly,social investors can consider the following financial interventions:1.Offer foundational support for early-stage solutions focused on generating evidence on the impact of climate change on social sectors,such as

77、research and development(R&D)and local data collection.This can include research grants,innovation funds,and other pre-seed capital.2.Promote solutions that refine AI-driven predictive analytics for climate data and enable their seamless integration into local-scale data collection and relaying syst

78、ems.This may require concessional debt,early-stage equity,or blended instruments depending on the maturity of solutions.3.Validate and scale proven digital solutions in lower-income regions of APAC,focusing on remote and resource-limited communities.This could include performance-based grants or ret

79、urn-seeking debt and equity for more scale-ready solutions.4.Fund the building and strengthening of digital infrastructure for climate resilience as well as digital infrastructure that is climate-resilient,focusing on at-risk communities.This could include concessional capital provision in coordinat

80、ion with public authorities.8 Refers to a controlled framework where innovators can experiment with and test new technologies under relaxed regulatory conditions.Essentially,this environment allows developers to trial new ideas without the usual constraints of full regulatory compliance,which can be

81、 slow and restrictive.Financial interventionsH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N11 Other ecosystem-building initiatives 1.Facilitate improved access to open data to support advancements in climate informatics and data-

82、driven decision-making.2.Build climate adaptation knowledge and capacity among investors and disseminate proofs of concepts.3.Enhance the capacity of local authorities and decision-makers to incorporate adaptation considerations during their planning and procurement stages.4.Partner with local commu

83、nities to understand their needs and foster local community engagement with resilience-building technologies.In summary,there is vast potential for digital tools to transform the climate resilience landscape and enable even low-resource communities to harness the power of technology to adapt to a ch

84、anging climate.Social investors have a key role to play in directly investing in innovations and driving other initiatives that enable the development of a vibrant and tech-forward ecosystem to drive climate adaptation and resilience outcomes for APAC.H A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I

85、T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N12Photo by Mathias Reding on Unsplash INTRODUCTIONCHAPTER 1H A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N13The climate adaptation imperative in APACPhoto by fra

86、mesbytanmay on UH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N14Asia-Pacific(APAC)nations9 are highly exposed to the growing impacts of climate change.Rising temperatures heighten the risk of heat waves across Asia,causing drough

87、ts in arid regions,delayed and weakened monsoons in South Asia,floods in monsoon regions in South,Southeast,and East Asia,and glacier melting in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region.10 Over the past 60 years,temperatures in APAC have increased faster than the global average,resulting in more intense and f

88、requent unpredictable weather events and climate-related hazards(Figure 1.1).9 Note:In this report,Asia-Pacific is defined as the combination of countries of the World Banks regions of East AsiaPacific and South Asia.10 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,Chapter 10:Asia,in Climate Change 2022

89、:Impacts,Adaptation,and Vulnerability,2022.Comparison of climate change impacts in Asia-Pacific versus globallyFIGURE 1.1Asia-Pacific is especially vulnerable to climate change risksData sources:(1)Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,Chapter 10:Asia,in Climate Change 2022:Impacts,Adaptation,an

90、d Vulnerability,2022;(2)Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters,EM-DAT:The International Disaster Database,accessed in 2024;(3)McKinsey Global Institute,Climate Risk and Response in Asia,2020.APAC 0.61.0 BGlobally 0.7 1.2 billion(B)Population living in areas exposed to extreme heat wave

91、s3APAC USD 2.8-4.7 TGlobally USD 4.0-6.0 trillion(T)GDP at risk annually from rising heat and humidity by 20503APAC 32.6 MGlobally 49.4 million(M)Displacement due to climate-related disasters,20222Likelihood of 5%grain-yield decline in 2050 relative to today3Globally 1.9xAPAC 1.4xLikelihood of expos

92、ure to climate-related extreme events2GloballyAPAC 6xCountries at greatest risk from climate change17 out of 10 are in APACH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N15Collectively,weather events in APAC in 2022 affected more

93、than 50 million people directly,resulting in more than 5,000 deaths and upwards of USD 36 billion in economic losses.11 Given that global temperatures are projected to breach the 1.5-degree threshold by 2030,12 socio-economic losses will continue to increase.By mid-century,climate change impacts are

94、 expected to cause substantial annual economic losses in APAC,significantly affecting regional gross domestic product(GDP).The extent of these losses will vary across the region.Even if temperature increases are kept below 2C(above pre-industrial levels),advanced Asian economies are expected to expe

95、rience GDP losses of 3.3%;in a business-as-usual scenario,in which no mitigating action is taken,losses could reach 15.4%of GDP.In the same scenarios,the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN)countries are expected to encounter GDP losses of 4.2%and 37.4%,respectively.13These impacts cut acro

96、ss all economic sectors and jeopardise the regions developmental gains.More than 60%of the working population in APAC is employed in sectors like agriculture,water resources,fisheries,and construction,which are highly susceptible to livelihood disruption due to changing climatic patterns.Consider th

97、e example of the agriculture sectorone of the sectors most adversely affected by climate change both in the region and globally.APAC is projected to experience increasingly frequent and/or severe crop yield losses,soil degradation,and water stresses,to the great detriment of food availability,commod

98、ity trade,and farmer incomes.In Indonesia,the Philippines,Thailand,and Vietnam,projections for 2100 indicate that rice yields may decline to as little as 50%of 1990 levelsa critical concern for Asia,which accounts for over 90%of global rice consumption.14 Moreover,extreme heat caused by climate chan

99、ge could lead to a loss of up to 3.1%of all working hours in the region by 2030roughly equivalent to the loss of 62 million full-time jobs.The agriculture and construction sectors are expected to bear the brunt of this employment loss.15 Failure to swiftly adapt to climate change could exacerbate po

100、verty and inequality,limiting future development gains while potentially reversing progress made to date.Efforts focused on adapting to climate impacts must take centre stage for APAC.Decarbonisation efforts are pivotal for steering us towards net zero greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions.However,while miti

101、gation strategies primarily focus on reducing emissions,they fall short of addressing the immediate climate risks stemming from past and present emissions.16 This gap is particularly pronounced in APAC,where the tangible impacts of climate change are already intensifying existing socio-economic vuln

102、erabilities.Despite contributing minimally to historical emissions,communities in APAC small island developing states(SIDS)bear disproportionate risks and lack the resources to respond effectively.Given the regions heightened vulnerability,it is imperative to prioritise actions that can help the reg

103、ion anticipate and adapt to climate risks while pursuing its net-zero targets.Therefore,emphasising adaptation measures with mitigation co-benefits becomes essential to address climate impacts,safeguard economic growth,and enhance social well-being while building resilience against future challenges

104、(Figure 1.2).17 Consequently,robust support from developed economies is crucial for strengthening the adaptive capacities of developing economies within APAC,considering the formers historical contributions to the current climate crisis.This is essential for ensuring climate equity in action.11 Worl

105、d Meteorological Organization,State of Climate in Asia,2022.12 Reuters,Global Warming Will Reach 1.5C Threshold This Decade-Report,2023.The 1.5-degree threshold refers to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels,as per the Paris Agreement,to avoid severe and irrever

106、sible impacts of climate change.13 Swiss Re Institute,The Economics of Climate Change:No Action Not an Option,2021.14 International Monetary Fund,Boiling Point,2018;Asian Development Bank,Climate Change,Rice and Asian Agriculture,2012.15 International Labour Office,Working on a Warmer Planet:The Imp

107、act of Heat Stress on Labour Productivity and Decent Work,201916 Joachim von Braun,Veerabhadran Ramanathan,Peter K.A.Turkson,Climate Mitigation Is Not Enough Focus on Resilience Now,in Nature,2022.17 Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific,Progress of NDC Implementation in AsiaPacifi

108、c:Methodological Framework and Preliminary Findings,2020.H A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N16Despite the clear need,climate adaptation remains severely underfunded.Current adaptation finance flows fall short of the ne

109、ed by 1420 times for developing nations within APAC(Figure 1.3).18 The overwhelming majority of global adaptation finance flows from the public sector in the form of debt;in 202122,70%of global adaptation finance was in the form of low-cost project debt(21%,USD 13.4 billion)and project-level market

110、rate debt(59%,USD 37.5 billion).Approximately 98%of the total tracked flows for the same year came from public sourcesprimarily states,multilateral development banks(MDBs),and development finance institutions(DFIs)while grants from philanthropies accounted for less than 1%.19 The proportion of phila

111、nthropic funding is likely to be even lower within APAC given the predominance of global north philanthropies in climate adaptation grantmaking.Closing this gap will require mobilisation of climate funding from local philanthropy in APAC,particularly in the form of high-risk,patient capital.Innovati

112、ve financing models can spur creative solutions and demonstrate viability in adaptation across the region.18 United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP),Adaptation Gap Report 2023,2023.19 Climate Policy Initiative,State and Trends in Climate Adaptation Finance 2023,2023.Understanding climate mitigati

113、on,adaptation,and resilienceFIGURE 1.2ResilienceThe capacity of social,economic,and environmental systems to cope with extreme events or trends by responding or reorganising in ways that maintain their essential functionAdaptationThe process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its

114、 effects.In human systems,adaptation seeks to minimise socio-economic exposure while building systems capacities to better respond to climate risksMitigation Human interventions to reduce emissions or enhance sinks of greenhouse gases(GHGs)Area B and CCounter-resilient measures:Some mitigation and a

115、daptation actions may lead to no or negative contribution to resilience-building(e.g.,deploying conventional cooling tech to address heat stress could lead to higher GHG emissions)Climate ResilienceClimate MitigationClimate AdaptationBACArea ACo-benefits:Some climate actions contribute to both mitig

116、ation and adaptation.E.g.,restoring mangroves aids in carbon absorption while offering coastal protection against floodingClimate adaptation also represents an opportunity.The global market for climate adaptation solutions could reach a value of USD 2 trillion annually by 2026,with the Global South

117、poised to reap the greatest benefits.20 Despite demonstrated impact and,in some cases,returns of USD 210 for every dollar invested,21 capital providers often perceive adaptation projects as challenging to allocate resources to or as lacking bankability for a variety of reasons:Misconception of adapt

118、ation as purely reactionary.Adaptation is often viewed as an ex post facto response to climate change.22 This narrative,aggravated by limited awareness of what constitutes climate adaptation,undermines the deployment of proactive,forward-thinking adaptation measures,and hinders adequate financing fo

119、r them.Localised and costly nature of solutions.Adaptation innovations often demand localised solutions that can take longer to design and implement.23 In these contexts,achieving effective adaptation requires high upfront funding to support on-the-ground customisation and alignment among stakeholde

120、rs.This may not align with commercial investors risk appetite and hence requires funding from more patient and less risk-averse investors.24 Information asymmetry on climate risks and viability.Significant information asymmetry exists between climate experts and investors.Investors do not always und

121、erstand country-level climate risks and are not familiar with vulnerability data.25 There is also limited research establishing the business case and impact case for adaptation investments specific to APAC.26 Diverse and non-standardised impact metrics.Unlike mitigation efforts,which target the sing

122、ular outcome of reducing GHG emissions,adaptation actions are multifaceted,aiming to improve a range of interconnected climate and socio-economic outcomes.The benefits of these actions are often seen at hyper-local levels,which makes it challenging to measure and compare their impact with actions ac

123、ross different scales and locations.Due to the absence of standardised metrics,investors may hesitate to commit resources without clear evaluation criteria in place.H A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N1720 Tim Quinson,I

124、nvestors Bet Climate Adaptation Will Soon Be Profitable,in Bloomberg,2021.21 Global Commission on Adaptation,Adapt Now:A Global Call for Leadership on Climate Resilience,2019.22 Expert interview.23 World Resources Institute,What It Takes to Attract Private Investment to Climate Adaptation,2023.24 Ex

125、pert interview.25 World Resources Institute,With Patchy Guidance,Companies May Have Climate Risk Blind Spots,World Resources Institute,2021.26 World Economic Forum,Climate Adaptation:The USD2 Trillion Market the Private Sector Cannot Ignore,2022.Adaptation finance gap for APACFIGURE 1.3of current fu

126、nding levels are required to bridge developing APACs adaptation finance gapIn USD billions needed annually up to 2030,based on 2021-22 flowsSource:Adapted from UNEP,Adaptation Gap Report 2023.Note:This analysis examines finance flows from developed to developing nations and excludes the rest of the

127、flows due to data validation challenges.For more details on the modelled costs versus finance needs,refer to annex.14-20 x 20 x 14x Current flowsModelled costs of adaptationFinance needs based on NDC communications8102168llustration of climate technology and digital technology(non-exhaustive)FIGURE

128、1.4H A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N18Digital technologies that address adaptation challenges present an opportunity for social investors to drive the adaptation agenda.In contrast to engineered technologies,27 digit

129、al technologies include tools and systems designed for data handling and information management(see definition in Glossary).28 Broadly,these technologies streamline data collection,analysis,and communication.In the context of climate change,these tools offer powerful means to pursue scale and dynami

130、sm in driving climate adaptation and resilience outcomes for the region(Figure 1.4).29 27 This includes geoengineering technologies,often referred to as climate engineering,which involve large-scale interventions in the Earths climate system to address or mitigate the impacts of climate change.These

131、 technologies are outside the scope of this report.28 Asian Development Bank,Digital Technologies for Climate Action,Disaster Resilience,and Environmental Sustainability,202129 Defining the three broad functions of digital technologies:1.Data generation technology that can facilitate the creation an

132、d generation of data and information,from the physical or digital setting;2.Data processing technology that can synthesise and create insight based on existing data,forming predictions,forecasts,encryption,etc.;3.Data relaying technology that can transmit and disseminate data between digital devices

133、 and users,including communications and automation.The promise of digital technologies in climate adaptationData generation Creation,generation,and collection of data Data processingPrediction,forecasting,and encryption of dataData relaying Transmission and dissemination of dataSatellitese.g.,in enh

134、ancing weather forecasts Blockchaine.g.,in encryption of water ledgersMobile phonese.g.,in relaying emergency warnings Dronese.g.,in detecting wildfiresArtificial intelligencee.g.,in predicting disastersInternet of things e.g.,in improving irrigation efficiency Machine learninge.g.,in processing cli

135、mate data setsRoboticse.g.,in removing marine debrisSolar cellsCold storageBiotechnology Electric vehiclesAdvanced materialsGreen infrastructureEngineered technologiesClimate technologiesDigital technologies Photo by William Daigneault on UH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C

136、H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N19 Enabling low-cost development of tailored adaptation solutions.Crowd-sourcing platforms can enable localised data collection and participatory mapping,to ultimately inform adaptation responses to climate events like flooding.30 Such approac

137、hes can reduce implementation costs while enabling impact at scale.For example,Japan-based Spectee.ai deploys AI-based algorithms on social media data to identify crisis situations,such as floods or earthquakes,and send alerts through email and phones.31 Enhancing real-time capabilities for response

138、 to climate hazards.Real-time data collection,analysis,and enhanced decision-making facilitated by digital technologies empower swift responses in dynamic environments.Digital ecosystems additionally bridge information gaps by providing standardised data-driven insights on climate risks,thereby addr

139、essing information asymmetry for investors and enabling informed decision-making on adaptive strategies and related investments.32 For example,Blue Sky Analytics is a climate analytics company that utilises artificial intelligence(AI)and machine learning(ML)to analyse satellite data and provide real

140、-time insights on climate impacts on water availability and air quality for businesses.33 Enabling proactive solutions to climate risks through advanced predictive analytics and decision support tools.By harnessing data-driven insights,stakeholders can anticipate and mitigate climate risks before th

141、ey escalate.34 Taking a proactive rather than reactive approach can also help reduce financial burdens associated with loss and damage caused by extreme events.An example is Google Flood Hub,which uses AI to provide critical flood forecasting to over 1,800 sites worldwide.35Digital innovations can h

142、elp overcome existing barriers in adaptation response through a range of channels:The adoption of digital technology for climate adaptation is still in its early stages in APAC;yet its demonstrated impact highlights the opportunity for targeted investments.Climate tech funding has surged by a factor

143、 of 40 x over the past decade;most solutions that have received financing incorporate some form of digital innovation.In 2022,investments in climate tech soared to over USD 70 billion,marking an 89%increase over the previous year.Yet,just 11%of these funds were allocated outside the USA,Europe,and C

144、hina;of this portion,the majority of investments focused on mitigation.36 As of 2023,APAC receives just 16%of total climate tech investments globally.37 Given the emerging nature and potential of digital technologies in climate adaptation,targeted and customised investments are crucial to support th

145、eir development and deployment.This needs to be complimented with market building across the region to fully harness their potential.Social investors have a unique and pivotal role to play in supporting innovations in digital technologies that enable adaptation and resilience outcomes for APAC.Socia

146、l investors,such as philanthropies,corporate foundations,and impact investors,have a relatively 30 Expert interview.31 Japan International Cooperation Agency,Up-and-coming Japanese Startup Launched AI-powered Disaster Management Tech,2023.32 Ibid;World Economic Forum,Innovation and Adaptation in the

147、 Climate Crisis:Technology for the New Normal,2024.33 Blue Sky Analytics,Products,accessed Feb 2024.34 United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific,Digital for Climate Change Adaptation in Asia and the Pacific,2021.35 Google Research,Flood Forecasting,accessed Feb 2024.36 J

148、amil Wyne,Minahil Amin,Abrar Chaudhury,Courtney Savie Lawrence,Aoife Brophy,Michelle Lee,The Climate Tech Opportunity,Oxford Climate Tech Initiative,2023.37 PWC,State of Climate Tech,2023.H A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T

149、I O N20This report serves as a toolkit for social investors to help them navigate climate adaptation challenges and sets out guidelines on investing in digital technologies for climate adaptation.In Chapter 2,we present a four-step adaptation investment framework designed to guide social investors i

150、n identifying and supporting solutions for climate adaptation that align with their programmatic areas.Chapters 3 through 5 illustrate the frameworks application,with a focus on digital innovations.Chapter 3 highlights the impacts of climate change in four major thematic areas in which APAC is parti

151、cularly exposed:water,agriculture,disaster,and public health.It provides insights into the risks arising from climate change and the necessary solutions to address them.Chapter 4 highlights the status and applications of digital solutions across cross-cutting use cases aligned with the impact areas

152、identified in Chapter 3.Finally,Chapter 5 offers actionable recommendations for social investors,outlining strategies to effectively develop and deploy digital technologies for climate adaptation in APAC that will ultimately foster sustainable and climate-resilient outcomes.high risk tolerance and c

153、an offer patient capital to support digital ventures at each step of the value chain(Box 1.1).This includes fostering an enabling ecosystem through market creation,capacity building,and policy advocacy,in addition to capital mobilisation for solutions themselves.This multipronged approach is especia

154、lly critical for developing economies in APAC and SIDS,which are not only inadequately funded but also constrained in terms of domestic implementation capacities.3838 UNEP,Adaptation Gap Report 2023,2023.Who are social investors?Foundations,grantmakers,impact funds,family offices,banks,wealth manage

155、ment firms,private equity(PE)and venture capital(VC)funds which seek impact outcomes.This category includes impact investors.What are social investments?AVPN sees social investments as a continuum of capital;that is,the range of financial,human,and intellectual capital that are invested with the exp

156、ectation of measurable results and cover the entire spectrum of social investing,from impact-only to a combination of impact and environmental-social-governance(ESG)-themed investing and financial returns to risk-minimisation through ESG screens and integration.Source:AVPN,The Continuum of Capital i

157、n Asia,2018.Defining social investors and investmentsBOX 1.1Photo by Vincent Gerbouin via THE ADAPTATION ACTION FRAMEWORK FOR APACCHAPTER 2H A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N2139 The establishment of the Adaptation Fun

158、d in 2001 during COP7 was a pivotal moment in global climate adaptation and resilience efforts.This initiative,accompanied by strengthened UNFCCC support to Least Developed Countries(LDCs)in adaptation pilot projects,underscored a shift towards a unified global approach to addressing the physical im

159、pacts of climate change through strategic planning and implementation of adaptation measures.Strategic investments in climate adaptation require awareness of climate risks and the corresponding opportunities they offer.The importance of climate adaptation and resilience as central tenets of the figh

160、t against climate change has been established for more than two decades39;yet guidance on investing for adaptation remains sparse,resulting in incremental action and funding.Given the interconnected nature of climate impacts across different sectors,such as water and public health,it is essential to

161、 adopt a holistic approach.Taking a thematic lens provides a strong foundation for guiding investments in climate adaptation,directing resources towards climate-proofing the relevant social sectors.Additionally,leveraging cross-thematic opportunities for social investments can bring together diverse

162、 funders and stakeholders,enabling the pooling of capital and resources and driving more transformational impact.This chapter presents a four-step approach to guide social investments in identifying and supporting digital solutions that contribute to APACs adaptation and resilience(Figure 2.1).Adapt

163、ation action framework for APACFIGURE 2.11243Communicate findings on results to help refine how investors identify risksPrioritise solutions to invest in based on their impact potentialUnderstand climate risks and vulnerabilities for relevant themesIdentify solutions for anticipating and/or adapting

164、 to the risksProvide customised support to scale impactful solutionsMeasure and communicate the impact of investmentsH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N22Photo by Alex Eckermann on UFirst,social investors need to under

165、stand the climate risks that affect the impact areas they work in.This entails conducting a comprehensive assessment of regional climate risks pertinent to the social investors impact focus areas.The outcomes of the assessments should steer the identification and prioritisation of the most critical

166、risks,centring on the vulnerabilities of the communities that social investors serve.Social investors should also consider realigning their focus areas in light of the evidence,and to take into account intersectionality with other issues.Next,social investors should consider what solutionsincluding

167、digital technology solutionsare most relevant for anticipating and adapting to future risks.One type of solutions to consider includes those that help anticipate real-time risks,vulnerabilities,and adaptation needs within the communities affected by climate change.In this context,digital technologie

168、s act as enablers,facilitating tailored,adaptive responses through tools such as real-time flood monitoring systems at the neighbourhood level and forecast-based early warning systems for vulnerable communities.A second set of solutions leverages climate information to co-pilot or automate actions o

169、n the ground,either in anticipation of or in response to climate impacts.For example,Internet of Things(IoT)enabled irrigation technologies can automate watering cycles on drought-prone farmlands to improve water management efficiency and reduce farmers workloads,particularly during periods of extre

170、me temperatures.In identifying which solutions to support,social investors can incorporate parameters based on their investment approaches.For instance,AVPNs APAC Sustainability Seed Fund,with the support of Google.org and the Asian Development Bank,evaluates projects based on three key parametersin

171、novation(both novel approaches and innovative applications of existing approaches),feasibility and track record of success,and potential for scale especially in serving marginalised populations.In doing so,the fund actively responds to on-ground needs of the affected communities in both defining the

172、 problem and the solution.Once solutions are prioritised,social investors can tailor their support in accordance with preferences for impact and financial returns.Climate adaptation innovations require a diverse range of social investment types as they progress from development to deployment stages.

173、Grant funding from philanthropies,corporate office foundations,and other investors is useful for supporting early product development of innovative climate solutions.A combination of grants and concessional debt can support the testing and validation of promising initiatives through location-specifi

174、c pilot projects.Philanthropies,multilateral institutions like MDBs and DFIs,and impact investors,who prioritise social impact creation over significant financial returns,can provide this funding mix.Impact-focused venture capitalistsFor example,a South-Asian philanthropy focused on agrarian livelih

175、oods would be remiss not to prioritise the impacts of climate change on agriculture and water resources.This involves assessing climate risks from droughts,floods,and changing rainfall patterns,which directly affect crop yields,water quality,soil health,and freshwater availability for the region.The

176、se factors in turn increase the vulnerability of smallholder farmers to income and livelihood losses due to climate change.To address these risks and support agrarian livelihoods,the social investor could prioritise support for adaptation solutions such as drought-resistant crop varieties,water-effi

177、cient irrigation techniques,and early warning systems for extreme weather events.H A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N23and other return-seeking investors can then support the scaling of those impactful solutions that sh

178、ow early commercial promise.Additionally,philanthropies and multilateral institutions could also play a part at this stage by de-risking investments for return-seeking investors.For instance,they can provide concessional debt and first-loss guarantees to demonstrate the commercial viability of early

179、-stage solutions through innovative finance approaches,such as blended finance.Concurrently,social investors should also spearhead ecosystem-building initiatives such as policy advocacy,capacity building,and knowledge transfer,in order to build a conducive environment within which solutions can take

180、 shape(see Chapter 5 for further discussion on ecosystem building).The type of ecosystem support required for each solution depends on its nature,development stage,and impact potential,as well as the policy environment and market dynamics in which it operates.Often,a single solution may necessitate

181、various forms of support.Finally,assessing impact using consistent approaches is essential for understanding and communicating the effectiveness of adaptation investments.Understanding the impact of adaptation investments presents a complex challenge for several reasons.First,adaptation initiatives

182、address a diverse range of development and climate outcomes,often measurable only at hyper-local levels.Second,a lack of consensus on the definition of climate adaptation and its impact pathways has resulted in the proliferation of multiple impact measurement frameworks and approaches,each rooted in

183、 differing perspectives and priorities.40 Finally,there is an inherent challenge in designing measurement and reporting frameworks that are both adaptable to local conditions while remaining compatible with other related impact measurement frameworks.40 Next Billion,The Emergence of Resilience Credi

184、ts:How a New Asset Class Can Unlock Investment in Climate Resilience And Why Impact Measurement Will be Key to its Success,2024.Photo by JIRAROJ PRADITCHAROENKULH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N2441 According to the

185、findings of the Global Adaptation and Resilience Investment(GARI)working group,investors consider clear metrics as important to drive investments in adaptation and resilience,with a significant 67%recommending the development of metrics for resilience.GARI working group,The State of Climate Adaptati

186、on and Resilience Investment:Where We Are,Current Investor Views,and Paths Forward,2022.42 UNFCCC,Sharm-El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda,accessed March 2024.43 60_decibels,A Solution for Measuring Climate Resilience,accessed March 2024.44 The scope of this reports findings is limited to the first three s

187、teps of the framework.For example,within the private sector,60 Decibels has developed a proprietary household-level resilience measurement tool,aimed at directing climate investments for social enterprises.43 This tool offers a streamlined approach to resilience measurement using standardised metric

188、s applicable to diverse households,farming communities,and non-agricultural settings,with consistent resilience indicators that enable comparisons between various evaluations.This tool is an example of best practices and frameworks that social investors would need to adopt to ensure transparency and

189、 accountability in quantifying the impact of their adaptation investments.The adaptation action framework below(Figure 2.2)summarises the steps described above.The chapters that follow utilise this framework to provide insights and guidance to social investors interested in investing in digital tech

190、nologies to support climate adaptation in APAC.44The development and deployment of clear and appropriate impact measurement methods is imperative for mobilising and harmonising investment.41 This can enable a shared understanding of results and ensure consistency and comparability across different p

191、rogrammes,regions,and investment categories.Further,by enabling the aggregation of impact achieved by diverse actors,it can also facilitate the monitoring of progress toward regional and global commitments,such as those outlined in the Sharm-El-Sheikh Adaptation Outcomes for 2030.42H A R N E S S I N

192、 G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N25Photo by allPhoto Bangkok on UAdaptation action framework for APAC(expanded)FIGURE 2.2*This framework highlights risks for the thematic areas covered in this report and is not exhaustive.According t

193、o IPCC,climate risks must be understood at the intersection of three factors:(i)hazard refers to potential natural or human-induced climate events and chronic changes in weather patters,(ii)exposure factors through which an individual or system is exposed to climatic variations,e.g.infrastructure qu

194、ality,livelihood type,proximity to at-risk geographical features such as coastlines,etc.,and(iii)vulnerability factors that predispose a person or system to risk,e.g.demographics,socio economic status,resilience of supply chains,etc.Vulnerability and exposure interact with hazards to generate risk a

195、nd can be exac-erbated by factors like poverty and lack of social support,regardless of the specific hazard(Climate Change 2022:Impacts,Adaptation and Vulnerability.Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).AB1243Understand clim

196、ate risks and community impact(illustrative)Identify solutions Support scaleMeasure impactAnticipation of local climate risks and vulnerabilitiesAdaptation to climate impactsFinancial interventionsEcosystem buildingMeasurement of solution-level impactConsensus on measurement standardsIdentify soluti

197、ons that predict or monitor real-time risks,tailored to specific community vulnerabilities.Climate analytics often serve as enablers of other solutions.Identify solutions that co-pilot or support communication for on-the-ground implementation of adaptation measures,often utilising climate analytics

198、as inputs.Provide appropriate financial instruments,e.g.,grants,debt,equity,including innovative finance mechanisms where appropriate.Foster an enabling environment in which innovations can succeed.E.g.,via:Policy advocacy Capacity building Knowledge exchangeAdopt best practices to measure and repor

199、t the impact of promising solutions.Credible impact measurement can boost provider accountability and enable learning for other providers.Co-develop consistent taxonomies and standards to assess impact.Unified systems of measurement enable consistent assessment and comparisonMap climate risks and co

200、mmunity-level impactIdentify relevant climate hazards Dwindling crop yields owing to changing climatic conditions,including frequency of high heat.Reduced crop health and nutritional levels because of warmer temperatures.Reduced water availability due to droughts,rising temperatures,and saltwater in

201、trusion into aquifers.Increased flooding caused by extreme rainfall events,cyclones,storm surges,and sea level rise.Increased loss of life and property due to rising frequency and magnitude of climate-related disasters.Gradual loss of land and coastal infrastructure owing to rising sea levels.Increa

202、sed frequency and spread of infectious diseases,due to shifts in habitat and seasonality for vectors.Higher fatality rates from NCDs including respiratory illnesses and heat strokes.AgricultureWaterDisastersPublic healthE.g.,Limited resources prevent smallholder farmers from adapting to climatic shi

203、fts,affecting crop yields and livelihoods.E.g.,Rural women bear the brunt of unreliable access to clean water as they are often tasked with managing household water collection.E.g.,People with special needs and the elderly are particularly vulnerable due to limited mobility and access to resources.E

204、.g.,The elderly and children face heightened health risks,particularly from heat-related illnesses and poor air quality.Floods Droughts Heatwaves Temperature riseGlacial retreatSea level riseBiodiversity lossExtreme weather eventsSlow onset eventsCommunicate findings on results to help refine how in

205、vestors identify risksPrioritise solutions to invest in based on their impact potentialH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N26PRESSING CLIMATE RISKS AND TECH SOLUTIONS ACROSS KEY THEMESCHAPTER 3Photo by RitthichaiH A R N

206、 E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N27This chapter explores the intersection of climate impacts and digital technology solutions relevant to APAC by focusing on four key thematic areasagriculture,water resources,disaster manag

207、ement,and public health.It highlights climate vulnerabilities within each of these thematic areas,their influence on well-being for populations that depend on them,and the role of technology in improving resilience in each area.45 Many other thematic areas are similarly affected by climate change in

208、 APAC,and the four themes profiled here represent only an illustrative starting point for addressing the knowledge gap among climate tech innovators and social investors in APAC.45 The selected themes largely align with the priority adaptation themes for the region,as communicated to the UNFCCC thro

209、ugh National Adaptation Plans(NAPs)and Technology Needs Assessment,2020.Photo by jiawei cui on PWater resourcesAgriculture and food securityDisaster managementPublic healthH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N2846 World

210、Bank,Agriculture,Forestry,and Fishing,Value Added(%of GDP),2024.47 Asian Development Bank,Building Climate Resilience in the Agriculture Sector of Asia and the Pacific,2009.48 United States Agency for International Development,Agriculture and Food Security,2020;Australian Government,Myanmar,2021.49

211、The Chinese University of Hong Kong,CUHK-led Study Estimates Over One-fifth of Staple Crops Will Be Lost by 2050 Due to Ozone Pollution and Climate Change,2023.50 Science Direct,Rainfed Agriculture,accessed Jan 2024.51 Cicero Z de Lima,Jonathan R Buzan,Frances C Moore,Uris Lantz C Baldos,Matthew Hub

212、er,Thomas W Hertel,Heat Stress On Agricultural Workers Exacerbates Crop Impacts of Climate Change,in IOP Science,2021.52 Food and Agriculture Organisation and UNEP,Global Assessment of Soil Pollution:Report,2021.53 United Nations Development Programme(UNDP),How Solar-Powered Water Pumps Are Boosting

213、 Productivity and Resilience for Cambodias Farmers,2023.Agriculture accounted for 17%of the total GDP in South Asia in 2022four times the world averageand is critical to ensuring food security.46 Across Asia,over 2.2 billion people rely on agriculture for their livelihoods.47 This is especially pres

214、sing for countries such as Cambodia and Myanmar,where over 60%of the population make their living in agriculture and forestry.48Climate change impacts food systems through multiple pathways,reduced productivity due to altered precipitation patterns,soil degradation,and heat stress;yield loss due to

215、increased prevalence of pests and diseases;interrupted production and supply chains due to natural disasters;and reduction of crops nutritional value(Figure 3.1).First,climate variability can reduce crop,labour,and livestock productivity from altered precipitation patterns,soil quality degradation,a

216、nd heat stress.Compared to 2010,total crop yields are expected to diminish by 18%by 2050 in South Asian countries.49 Shifts in rainfall patterns directly impact crop productivity,as rainfed farming produces more than 60%of the worlds cereal grains.50 Increased heat stress from more frequent and inte

217、nse annual hot days significantly further contributes to declines in crop productivity by impacting agricultural workers.In regions like sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia,a global warming increase of 3 degrees could reduce labour capacity in agriculture by 30%-50%.51 Temperature increases and sh

218、ifts in precipitation patterns also irreversibly change soil quality and threaten the health of livestock.In addition,anthropogenic pressures stemming from heightened use of agrochemicals,particularly inorganic fertilisers and pesticides,exacerbate the deterioration of soil fertility.In Sri Lanka,wh

219、ere farmers have been found to surpass recommended agrochemical application rates specified on labels,61%of agricultural land grapples with diminishing soil quality.52 These climate and environmental risks can be addressed with improved water and soil monitoring,alongside more efficient irrigation a

220、nd soil conservation practices.For example,the utilisation of solar water pumps allows for greater water availability and prevents water competition among smallholder farmers,improving overall productivity.53 Similarly,real-time heat stress detection can alert farmers to take suitable preventive mea

221、sures,including enhanced ventilation and cooling with sprinklers to avoid reduction in livestock productivity.Agriculture and food securityPhoto by Shayan Ghiasvand on UH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N29Increased pr

222、evalence of pests and diseases is already causing up to 41%yield loss in rice in Asia and affects other crops and livestock.54 Climate change has expanded some plant pests host range and geographical distributionsdue,for example,to changes in temperatures,precipitation,and humidity levelsleading to

223、increased infestations and hence,reduced yield.Additionally,climate change affects the conditions for pathogens and vectors of zoonotic diseases,impacting the health of both crops and livestock.The transmission of zoonotic diseases among livestock is a significant public health concern,considering t

224、he regions high reliance on livestock-based products.At a farm-level,the emergence and spread of such diseases result in direct and indirect losses for farmers by introducing adverse shocks that affect overall farm productivity.55 Technology ventures are employing AI,drones,and remote sensors to pro

225、vide farmers with precise pest detection and prediction.This also includes the use of sensors to monitor ambient temperature and related conditions that might result in their spread,enabling early adaptation measures.54 Rolando Cerda,Jacques Avelino,Christian Gary,Philippe Tixier,Esther Lechevallier

226、,Clmentine Allinne,Primary and Secondary Yield Losses Caused by Pests and Diseases:Assessment and Modeling in Coffee,2017.55 Binlei Gong,Shurui Zhang,Xiaoguang Liu,Kevin Z Chen,The Zoonotic Diseases,Agricultural Production,and Impact Channels:Evidence from China,202156 Siyi Wei,Qi Zhou,Ziqun Luo,Yun

227、lei She,Qianzi Wang,Jiayang Chen,Shen Qu,Yiming Wei,Economic Impacts of Multiple Natural Disasters and Agricultural Adaptation Measures on Supply Chains in China,2023.57 Arunima Malik,Mengyu Li,Manfred Lenzen,Jacob Fry,Navoda Liyanapathirana,Kathleen Beyer,Sinead Boylan,Amanda Lee,David Raubenheimer

228、,Arne Geschke,Mikhail Prokopenko,Impacts of climate change and extreme weather on food supply chains cascade across sectors and regions in Australia,2022.58 Harvard School of Public Health,Climate Change&Nutrition,2023.59 World Food Programme,The Global Food Crisis:Impact on the AsiaPacific Region,2

229、023.60 Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation,Turning Big Data into Better Breeds and Varieties:Can AI Help Feed the Planet?,2023.Natural disasters lead to interrupted agricultural production and disrupt supply chains.For example,floods account for over 70%of supply chain losses in

230、China,where agriculture incurs 18%of the total indirect loss.56 In addition to the disruptions to on-farm productivity and harvest schedules,climate change can reduce the efficiency of existing infrastructure to support post-harvest activities,such as storage and transportation of produce.The disrup

231、tion of supply chains has cascading socio-economic effects,impacting jobs and incomes of individuals employed within the agricultural value chain.57 To address such risks,supply chain systems need upgrades to improve their predictions of and ability to adapt to disruptions.Start-ups are increasingly

232、 investing in AI and cloud-based digitisation of farm production data to support supply chain operations.As levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide climb,reductions in the nutritional value of major cereals and vegetables are expected by 2050up to 10%for zinc,5%for iron,and 8%for protein exacerbating h

233、ealth issues.58 The decrease in crop nutritional value affected 465 million undernourished individuals in 2021,comprising 55%of the global undernourished population.59 Such events directly affect the nutritional well-being of populations in APAC,where two-thirds of the worlds poor reside.To address

234、this,some companies are using AI to improve the identification and development of more nutritious crop and livestock breeds.Researchers are also using AI to identify genetic segments with preferred traits to develop superior crop varieties and are combining this with speed breeding technology to tur

235、n over multiple generations quickly.60Photo by Yogendra Singh from PH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N30Climate risks and digital solutions in agriculture and food securityFIGURE 3.1Reduced crop and livestock producti

236、vity due to reduced precipitation and water availability for agricultural use Real-time and remote water and soil monitoring Improved irrigation and water use efficiency Satellites and drones for remote monitoring of water and soil erosion rates Remote sensors to monitor water levels and soil moistu

237、re IOT-based sensors to improve irrigation efficiency(e.g.,smart water pump)Real-time detection of heat stress Auto cooling system via shade,ventilation,etc.Prediction and early warning systems Detection of pests,disease,and disaster events Flood control and pest and disease managementReduced crop y

238、ields due to changes to soil qualityReduced crop yields and livestock productivity due to heat stressLoss of crops and livestock due to extreme weather events(incl.flooding)Increased incidence of pests and diseases in crops and livestockIssue areasImpact of climate changeDigital technology needsExam

239、ples of digital solutionsProductivity loss due to input disruptionsProductivity loss due to disease and disastersDisruption to supply chains Remote sensors to detect heat stress Automation devices to manage heat stress in farm systems AI-enabled weather and disaster forecast Drone-based disease/pest

240、 detection Crowd reporting on disease and pests Remote sensor and phone early warning for disaster,disease,and pests AI/cloud-based digitization of farm production data and supply chain operationH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P

241、 T A T I O N31Increased complexity and cost of logistics due to climate disaster and change in production Real-time data collection and optimisation models to secure agro-food supply chains during disasters AI-powered crop and livestock breed research Improved crop and livestock breed with higher nu

242、tritious valueReduction in crop nutrition due to climate changeNutritional value lossWater availability in East Asia and the Pacific is 20%lower than the global average and 80%lower in South Asia.61 This impacts key livelihood outcomes in terms of food security,public health,and income-generation op

243、portunities.Climate change can further exacerbate the scarcity of water resources in APAC by reducing overall water availability and lowering water quality(Figure 3.2).Frequent climate events increasingly jeopardise water security.The worst droughts in South Asia are projected to occur 1.5 times mor

244、e frequently in 20352100 compared to the previous century.62 Climate change also intensifies rainstorm patterns,leading to increased rainfall intensity and frequency.This poses a threat to water storage facilities,such as reservoirs,which may struggle to cope with the sudden influx of water.Conseque

245、ntly,the stable provision of water to communities can be compromised,further exacerbating the challenges surrounding water security in the region.To address these challenges,climate tech innovators are leveraging remote sensing,the IoT,and cloud computing to support the monitoring of water levels.Co

246、mpanies have also started using AI to support more accurate predictions of rainfall.With these insights,farmers and other water users can better manage water usage and reduce wastage.In addition to the lack of water security,the quality of available water in APAC is also threatened by rising sea lev

247、els and unregulated wastewater discharge.Rising sea levels can lead to salinisation of freshwater resources,making them unfit for consumption and agricultural use.Since 2010,South Asia has already experienced an 11%reduction in freshwater resources.63 Furthermore,unregulated wastewater discharge is

248、a significant contributor to the degradation of water quality in the region.Inadequate wastewater treatment systems and industrial pollution discharge lead to waterborne diseases and other public health concerns.To address these challenges,companies are using sensors to improve the monitoring of wat

249、er quality;meanwhile,citizens are able to help prevent pollution at source by using mobile apps to report illegal wastewater discharge.Moreover,some companies are directly improving water quality in APAC through the use of robotics to remove waste from water bodies.6461 Water availability is assesse

250、d based on Renewable internal freshwater resources,comprising yearly river flows and groundwater replenishment,accessible for domestic,agricultural,and industrial uses.This metric represents the maximum theoretical yearly amount of water available for a particular region at a given moment.World Bank

251、,Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources Per Capita(Cubic Meters),2023.62 Saran Aadhar,Vimal Mishra,On the Occurrence of the Worst Drought in South Asia in the Observed and Future Climate,2021.63 World Bank,Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources Per Capita(Cubic Meters)-South Asia,2023.64 World Eco

252、nomic Forum,3 Ways We Can Collaborate Better for a Stronger Circular Economy,2022Water resourcesPhoto by Rafa Prada on UH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N32Issue areasImpact of climate changeDigital technology needsEx

253、amples of digital solutionsClimate risks and digital solutions in water resourcesFIGURE 3.2Altered precipitation patterns and increased evaporation rates contribute to a decline in surface water availability Dynamic water resource monitoring Predictions for water-related extreme events such as flood

254、s and droughts Efficient water usage systems Flood monitoring,including community-based flood reporting systems Flood forecasting prediction and prediction Tools for nature-sensitive watershed planning Monitoring of wastewater discharges Dashboards for freshwater quality Digitally enabled waste mana

255、gement Remote sensing-based real-time monitoring of surface and sub-surface water flows Cloud-based stormwater monitoring and management systems IoT-based automated leakage control systems Satellite imagery and Geographic Information Systems(GIS)for watershed mapping and planning AI algorithms for r

256、eal-time flood prediction and early warning Community-based risk assessments and open mapping Sensor networks for continuous monitoring of effluent quality Robotics for waste removal from water bodies Mobile app for reporting and tracking environmental violationsWater securityShifting aquifer rechar

257、ge patterns lead to unpredictable and unreliable groundwater availabilityUnpredictable,heavy rainfall events and glacial melting contribute to increased risks of inland floodingClimate-induced migration fosters unchecked urbanization,resulting in unregulated wastewater dischargeStorm surges,rising s

258、ea levels,and intensified cyclones elevate the likelihood of coastal floodingSaltwater intrusion(accompanied by untreated discharge)affects freshwater sources and compromises water qualityWater qualityH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A

259、 D A P T A T I O N33Climate disasters resulted in an estimated USD 67 billion in economic losses in APAC in 2022;under a scenario of 2C warming,the regions estimated annual losses could reach USD 1 trillion.65 The intensification of climate disasters drives three primary risks in disaster management

260、.First,disaster forecasting becomes increasingly complex and uncertain.Second,communities and infrastructure systems face increasing stress from exposure to failure.Third,disaster response systems are stretched thin as the need for them grows(Figure 3.3).Prediction of disasters is becoming more comp

261、lex due to climate change,which brings uncertainties to the seasonal patterns of events like hurricanes,floods,droughts,and storms.66 Climate change is shifting long-established weather and climate patterns;for example,it is making Indias monsoon more erratic.67 Unpredictable weather events can deva

262、state even the most developed cities;in April 2024,a slow-moving storm in the United Arab Emirates brought an unprecedented amount of rain,surpassing a years worth of rainfall in just one day.This record-breaking deluge resulted in flash floods that disrupted transportation and temporarily halted fl

263、ights at Dubai International Airport,one of the busiest airports globally.The UAEs National Centre for Meteorology reported that the eastern regions received up to 250 millimetres(10 inches)of rain in less than 24 hours,close to two times its typical annual rainfall.68 Innovations are increasingly r

264、elying on localised,real-time weather monitoring and AI-based forecasting to improve the detection and prediction of disasters.Communities and infrastructure systems are also increasingly at risk for damage as climate disasters grow in intensity and frequency,and occur in previously unaffected regio

265、ns,undermining the ability to effectively anticipate and respond to climate-related events.The Asian Development Bank estimates that USD 26 trillion are needed to improve infrastructure resilience across the region.69 The need to build and fortify infrastructure in the face of stronger and unprecede

266、nted disasters is especially challenging for the urban poor,who generally live in the least maintained districts,and for rural communities that reside in overexposed areas with limited support.70 Technologies that detect vulnerabilities in infrastructure and community resilience are crucial in addre

267、ssing these challenges by facilitating targeted reinforcement and development of infrastructure.65 United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific,A Disaster Emergency Is Underway In Asia and the Pacific as Risks Outpace Resilience,Warns New UN Study,2023.66 Asian Disaster Red

268、uction Center,Natural Disaster Data Book,2022.67 IndiaSpend,Climate Change Is Making Indias Monsoon More Erratic,2021.68 NASA,Deluge in the United Arab Emirates,accessed April 2024.69 Asian Development Bank,Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure Unlocking Opportunities For Asia And The Pacific,2022.70 Ec

269、o-business,South Asias Poorest City Dwellers Bear Brunt of Worsening Floods,2022;UNESCAP,Disaster Resilience for Sustainable Development,2017.Disaster managementPhoto by Saikiran Kesari from U H A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T

270、 A T I O N34Disaster response systems are severely strained and in urgent need of expansion.Several regions in APAC face significant fiscal and personnel constraints in their ability to plan and execute disaster management strategies due to limited state capacity.The costs associated with climate-re

271、lated extreme events further exacerbate this deficit,reducing the efficacy of disaster response systems to accommodate the rising frequency and magnitude of disasters.For instance,250 buildings collapse annually in Mumbai due to heavy rainstorms,but the government has yet to develop an effective com

272、munication protocol that can enable rapid response and build awareness to prevent future incidents.71 Technology can be leveraged to inform the public about such risks,adaptation measures,and the urgency of addressing vulnerabilities.Countries such as Bangladesh have improved their weather forecasti

273、ng capability;however,challenges remain in disseminating information to at-risk communities with enough lead time to take early action.72 The same communication barriers persist in post-disaster scenarios,affecting rapid response and recovery.Disaster tech innovations are leveraging app-based alerti

274、ng systems to help improve outreach and response time for communications in disaster-prone areas.71 Shabana Khan,Jyoti Mishra,Critical Gaps and Implications of Risk Communication in the Global Agreements,2022.72 United States Agency for International Development,Strengthening Household Ability to Re

275、spond to Development Opportunities(SHOUHARDO)III Programme of Care Bangladesh,2021.Photo by Dibakar Roy from UH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N35Climate risks and digital solutions in disaster managementFIGURE 3.3Inc

276、reased complexity and uncertainty in weather data and patternsIncreased demands to emergency response capacity and logisticsIncreased exposure of infrastructure assets to disaster-related risksIncreased community vulnerability in previously less-affected areasShift in climate zone and change in temp

277、erature and weather pattern Shifts in disaster pattern in intensity,frequency,and geographical distribution of disastersIncreased stress to post-disaster recovery and reconstruction Improved monitoring of weather patterns Improved climate data collection and analytics Improved prediction methods Inc

278、reased communications efficiency and effectiveness Improved disaster response management,incl.supply chain AI and machine learning algorithms to forecast future disasters Remote sensors for detecting sea levels and ocean activity Satellite-based disaster detection Mobile phone-based early warning sy

279、stem Mobile app-based disaster response for victims and early responders AI/ML algorithms for improving supply chain management Disaster prediction and forecast Disaster responseDisaster resilience Improved detection of vulnerability in infrastructure Improved detection of weather patterns Satellite

280、 mapping to detecting vulnerable infrastructure and community Phone-based community support during infrastructure failureIssue areasImpact of climate changeDigital technology needsExamples of digital solutionsH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M

281、 A T E A D A P T A T I O N36Wide health outcome disparities across APAC are emblematic of inequality across the region.For example,the maternal mortality ratio in lower-middle-and low-income APAC countries is more than four times that of upper-middle income countries in APAC,and 14 times that of hig

282、h-income APAC countries.73 Such disparities can be attributed to a combination of factors,from socio-economic inequality,to limited access to healthcare services,to inadequate healthcare infrastructure.Climate-related hazards threaten to further exacerbate risks to marginalised communities that alre

283、ady experience high vulnerability and exposure.Climate risks that impact public health are spread across two broad areas:First,risks to human health,including rising incidence of infectious disease,non-communicable diseases(NCDs),physical and mental trauma,and malnutrition and dehydration.Second,red

284、uced health system delivery capacity to health infrastructure,supply chains,and workforce(Figure 3.4).In the first category,how infectious diseases spread is changing as weather patterns and changes in habitat affect the ways vectors such as ticks and mosquitos reproduce and interact with humans.The

285、 transmission of dengue,for instance,grew by 12%between the 1950s and 2010s due to climate change.74 In South Asia,the population at risk of malaria infection is estimated to increase by 134 million by 2030.75 Rising incidence of NCDs is also closely linked to climate change.Air and water pollution

286、and exposure to heat waves can cause or aggravate a range of NCDs,such as anaemia,stroke,pulmonary disorders,cancer,cardiovascular disease,and diabetes.76 More than 6.5 million annual deaths are attributed to air pollution,of which over 70%occur in APAC.77 Innovators have addressed these challenges

287、with air quality and temperature monitoring mechanisms,integrated with surveillance systems that can better predict health risks.Governments can use these insights to develop more targeted policies and regulations to reduce pollution from hotspots or high-polluting activities.Telehealth platforms in

288、 APAC emerged during the COVID pandemic as triage for in-person services,including for NCDs,with great successnearly 80%of users of one such platform were able to solve their medical issues through teleconsultations,thereby reducing the spread of infection at health centres.78 73 Organisation for Ec

289、onomic Co-operation and Development,Maternal Mortality,2020.74 The Lancet Infectious Diseases,Twin Threats:Climate Change and Zoonoses,2023.75 Forecasting Healthy Futures,Advancing the Discipline of Climate-Informed Malaria Prediction and Planning,and Supporting its Integration in Malaria Control Pr

290、ogrammes Worldwide,accessed Feb 2024.76 State of Global Air,Global Health Impacts of Air Pollution,accessed March 2024;WHO,Climate Change and Noncommunicable Diseases:Connections,202377 UNEP,Restoring Clean Air,accessed Jan 2024.78 Vikram Kapur,Alex Boulton,AsiaPacific Telemedicine Platforms Will Lo

291、ng Outlast COVID-19,2021.Public healthPhoto by Migs Reyes from PH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N37Climate risks have caused widespread physical and mental trauma across APAC.This can occur through direct injury,such

292、 as during disasters like floods,landslides,cyclones,lightning strikes,avalanches,heat waves,and tropical storms.For example,since 1992,extreme heat has killed more than 24,000 people in India,79 and have led to at least 90 deaths across India and Pakistan in 2022 alone.Secondary trauma is also a si

293、gnificant driver of impact,including on mental health,community conflict,and gender-based violence.Extreme weather events,displacement,loss of livelihoods,and social unrest can directly impact challenges such as anxiety,depression,grief,post-traumatic stress disorder,substance abuse,and aggression.8

294、0 Farmer suicides are a well-documented example of the consequences of economic hardship from drought-induced crop failure.81 A recent study in South Asian countries observed that each 1C increase in annual mean temperatures is associated with a mean increase in domestic violence prevalence of 4.4%.

295、82 Even in comparably high-income communities,climate-related events play a role in mental healthfor example,a 2022 study found that 21%of Australians who experienced climate-related disasters reported having a moderate to major impact on their mental health.83 Digital tools that help individuals ga

296、in access to information to plan,adapt,and access resources prior to and in the aftermath of climate-related disruptions can help reduce these secondary impacts.Some companies are also developing AI tools that offer mental health support at lower costs to bridge care gaps as wider populations seek s

297、upport.84Malnutrition and dehydration are closely linked with changes in weather patterns,resulting in disrupted food systems and water security,especially for marginalised communities.See sections on Agriculture and food security and on Water for further discussion.In the second category of impact,

298、climate change impacts healthcare delivery capacity in several critical ways.The increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events result in damage to healthcare infrastructure and disruption to sensitive supply chains,such as those for blood supply or pharmaceutical product stability.For e

299、xample,seasonal flooding is a common occurrence in Cambodia,especially in provinces like Stung Treng and Kratie,where 31%and 20%of health facilities respectively are at risk of annual flooding.85 Moreover,healthcare workers are not only disproportionately exposed to direct climate-related hazards su

300、ch as heat waves,or while working in disaster zones or on infectious disease outbreaks,but are also under increased strain as overall workloads rise in response to the rising incidence of health risks described above.This is especially acute during climate emergencies that cause surges in demand.Man

301、y health system administrators already rely on digital tools to enable risk monitoring,service delivery optimisation,and resource allocation;these tools will need to be resilient to increasing volatility as system outages and spikes in demand become more common.79 United States Institute of Peace,Ho

302、w Heat Waves Are Destabilizing Asia,2023.80 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC),Synthesis Report of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report,2023;World Health Organization(WHO),Mental Health and Climate Change:Policy Brief,2022;Wellcome,Explained:How Climate Change Affects Mental Health,2022.81

303、Susanta Kumar Padhy,Sidharth Sarkar,Mahima Panigrahi,Surender Paul,Mental Health Effects of Climate Change,2015.82 Down to Earth,Domestic Violence to Rise as Subcontinent Heats Up,2023.83 Climate Council,National Study of the Impact of Climate-fuelled Disasters on Mental Health of Australians,2022.8

304、4 Wysa,Mitsu85 World Bank Group,Cambodia Country Climate and Development Report,2023.H A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N38Climate risks and digital solutions in public healthFIGURE 3.4Changes in the geography,seasonali

305、ty,and incidence of bacteria and vector-borne and zoonotic diseases Air quality,precipitation,temperature monitoring,and nutrition tracking for agro-businesses and consumers Predictive risk mapping,and syndromic surveillance Improved access to digital diagnostic tools for climate-health impacts Pred

306、ictive hazard mapping;algorithms to understand mental health risks Real-time weather monitoring;data on climate-related health impacts during crisis Communication networks for public safety and disaster response Digital platforms for care provision Early warning systems for at-risk facilities Optimi

307、sation models for service delivery Digital healthcare services Remote sensors for hyperlocal mobile air quality monitoring AI-assisted imaging for early diagnosis and treatment of health risks AI-based digital genome sequencing ML-powered symptom outbreak recognition software Personalised e-assistan

308、t apps for monitoring nutritional intake Real-time climate-health analytics dashboards AI-powered predictive models for identifying vulnerable populations and prioritising interventions 5G-based geo-targeted multichannel citizen reporting and alerts IOT-based sensors to monitor industrial safety and

309、 hygiene Mobile health(mHealth)applications for remote patient monitoring and teleconsultation ML-powered and geotagged resource allocation optimisationIncreased exposure to pollutants(e.g.via air and water)Direct injury and death due to extreme events(see Disaster management section)Rising incidenc

310、e of weather-induced stressors,e.g.,heat wavesDisrupted food systems and water security(see sections on Agriculture and food security,and Water)Damage to health infrastructure and supply chains due to extreme eventsHeightened health workforce exposure to poorer work conditions(e.g.heat),demand spike

311、s during disasters,and higher ongoing utilisationIncidence of secondary trauma,e.g.on mental health,community conflict and gender-based violence following extreme events,displacement,loss of livelihood,financial burdens,etc.Infectious diseasesHealth system delivery capacityNon-communicable diseasesP

312、hysical and mental traumaMalnutrition/dehydrationIssue areasImpact of climate changeDigital technology needsExamples of digital solutionsHARNESSING THE POWER OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIESPhoto by ChristophMeinersmann from PCHAPTER 4This chapter spotlights high-potential use cases where digital technologie

313、s can strengthen climate adaptation and resilience across APAC.It outlines five promising use cases of digital technologies for climate adaptation and showcases specific applications within each.It offers insights into the technological development status and deployment across APAC.Each use case sec

314、tion compares global advancements with region-specific examples in APAC,emphasising the role of social investments and the gaps they can help fill.H A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N40We see five broad categories of di

315、gital technology use cases that can address the risks identified in the previous chapter(Figure 4.1).Each use case varies in the level of maturity of the underlying technology and deployment in APAC.The following sections offer detailed insights into each of the use cases.Based on the technical read

316、iness levels(TRLs)of the applications within each,we categorise these use cases as high,medium,or low in terms of technological readiness.86 Similarly,we rate the deployment status of technical applications across APAC based on the number of companies developing these applications in the region.To h

317、elp social investors understand the significance of these technologies,each application is illustrated with a real-life example of a company operating within APAC and its potential impact.86 Technical readiness level(TRL)is a measure assessing the maturity of a technology,ranging from concept(TRL 1)

318、to deployment and operation(TRL 9).TRLs for various applications have been sourced from the World Intellectual Property Organization Green Database,a global innovation catalogue that includes user uploads,patented technologies,and expert profiles.In cases of unavailable TRL information,we conducted

319、qualitative research to determine technology maturity at the use-case level.Photo by jiawei cui on PexelsEmerging digital technology use casesH A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N41Use cases of digital technologies for c

320、limate adaptationFIGURE 4.1DescriptionDigital tech use caseExamples of digital technologiesWeather forecasting and modellingAccurate predictions and insights on changing weather patterns and climate conditions Satellite-based drought forecasting systems Drone-based hyper-local weather forecastingRes

321、ource monitoring and managementMonitoring and managing crucial resources,including land and water,to inform sustainable practices ML and genomics for soil health analysis Blockchain-based water ledgersDisaster preparedness and responseAdvanced systems for early warning,preparedness,and efficient res

322、ponse to climate-related disasters AI and ML algorithms to forecast future disasters App-based flood alerts utilising real-time crowd-sourced dataAgricultural optimisationPrecision agriculture technologies that sense and automate on-and off-farm activities AI-powered automation to improve irrigation

323、 efficiency IoT-based crop health monitoringClimate and health intelligence systemsIntegrated climate and health information to predict,prevent,and respond to climate-related health risks Real-time dashboards for heat waves ML-powered symptom outbreak recognitionPhoto by Lumin Osity on UnsplashH A R

324、 N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N42H A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N43H A R N E S S I N G T H E P O W E R O F D I G I T A L T E C H N O L

325、 O G I E S F O R C L I M A T E A D A P T A T I O N4387 Based on Tracxn database,as of Jan 2024.The figures presented pertain to commercial capital including venture capital(VC)and private equity(PE)investments in climate technology.This excludes philanthropic or public financing,as available data on

326、 public finance for adaptation technologies lack appropriate tagging for digital tech.The figure aims to highlight the commercial readiness of the use case globally and in APAC,emphasising the volume dimension of private capital attracted to date.We distinguish China from the rest of the region due

327、to its concentrated investor base and substantial domestic investments in climate adaptation technologies.Despite demonstrating commercial viability in specific geographies such as Japan,Indonesia,and India,APAC continues to receive less than 5%of global commercial investments.Additional capital is

328、crucial to scaling up existing commercial models,and testing is needed to validate advanced applications across the region.Funding overview(in billion USD as of 2024)87 While the deployment of digital technologies for data collection in weather data monitoring is nearing maturity,applications for pr

329、edictive capacities and communications are still evolving.This evolution is towards the adoption of proven core technologies such as AI-based predictive modelling and phone-based apps to enhance the understanding and communication of climate change impacts on weather conditions across various scales

330、.APAC deployment statusOverall tech readinessWeather forecasting and modellingWeather forecasting and modelling employs technologies to provide accurate predictions and insights into changing weather patterns and climatic conditions.These technologies leverage satellites,weather stations,sensors,dro

331、nes,and,in some cases,smartphones to periodically gather data on Earths atmosphere and climate patterns.By employing sophisticated algorithms,including AI and real-time data analysis,these technologies empower decision makers across diverse thematic areas,ranging from agriculture to disaster managem

332、ent.Relaying timely and precise weather information enables proactive measures that anticipate weather-related extreme events,allowing stakeholders to adapt strategies,optimise resource use,and enhance overall resilience in the face of evolving climate conditions.AI algorithms now actively enhance t

333、he precision of predictive analytics in integrated weather forecasting and communication systems,leading to higher accuracy in predicting weather-related extreme events.Drones are transforming data collection,enabling real-time insights and precise local forecasting.This surpasses traditional methods dependent on stationary sensors and satellite imagery,especially in remote areas with limited cove