Since the start of 2024, Asia has been experiencing unprecedented heat waves, breaking records set as recently as last year. The sizzling temperatures have led to severe impacts across the region. Countries such as
Thailand, the
Philippines, and
Vietnam have endured some of the highest temperatures ever recorded, signalling a
clear and alarming warming trend. This extreme heat is not only an environmental concern but also a
pressing issue that affects human health, livestock, education, and even the prevalence of diseases such as dengue and malaria.
More than an inconvenience
With the consequences of rising temperatures already being felt across Asia, experts warn that if current trends continue,
global warming could exceed 2.5°C, with devastating effects.
The consistent increase in temperatures, part of the broader global trend of
climate change driven by human activities, is an issue all governments need to meet head-on, and quickly. Professor Tan-Soo Jie-Sheng, Assistant Professor at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy said governments might be hamstrung by current legal definitions around pollution.
“If air quality is bad, the government needs to do something about it, no question. But when it comes to temperature or greenhouse gas emissions, the government’s role isn’t clear because greenhouse gas does not exactly fit the legal definition of a pollutant. That means we have to come up with new policies, and regulations to deal with it. Existing regulations for pollution don't fit in this context.
With heatwaves and extreme weather events becoming more common, governments don't really have a choice but to rework existing regulations or come up with new ones for climate change alone. The societal welfare implications of not doing anything may be too huge for any society to bear,” he said.
This issue is multi-dimensional and requires a comprehensive response. The
risks to livelihoods and food security are profound, with potential cascading impacts on ecosystems and living standards. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat and river flooding, posing threats to people, property, and infrastructure on a global scale. Fisheries, which are crucial to the food security and economy of many Asian countries, are also at risk, with significant implications for living standards and health. Additionally, rising temperatures contribute to the spread of food-borne diseases and mental health issues, further straining
national security and public health systems.
Taking action
In Asia, national, regional, and local governments are responding in various ways.
Japan has taken a proactive stance with its National Adaptation Plan and Action Plan for Heatstroke Prevention. Local Climate Change Adaptation Plans (LCCAPs) are also in place to address specific regional needs. In the
Philippines, water and power companies are implementing contingency plans to ensure water security in response to shortages exacerbated by El Niño. Manila Water is enforcing allocation protocols, deploying mobile treatment plants, and monitoring dam levels to maintain water supply. Additionally, Manila Water Ventures Philippines is activating business continuity plans and exploring new water sources to enhance network operations.
Thailand has developed heat action plans specifically for primary schools, aiming to protect the health and well-being of children during extreme heat events.
Singapore's approach to heat resilience is part of its broader sustainability strategy outlined in the
Singapore Green Plan 2030. Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, highlighted the government's commitment to
addressing the challenges posed by rising temperatures and the Urban Heat Island effect. The plan includes implementing national-level cooling strategies for all segments of society, strengthening community resilience, and deepening scientific understanding of the impacts of rising temperatures through ongoing research projects like Cooling Singapore 2.0.
She said Singapore's initiatives include greening the city to reduce ambient temperatures as part of transforming Singapore into a City in Nature, with a network of green spaces across the island so that by 2030, every household will be within a 10-minute walk from a park.
Additionally, Singapore also recently issued a Heat Stress Advisory and sector-specific guidelines to help different groups cope with heat stress. The Singapore National Climate Change Secretariat also launched a
public consultation to further boost the country’s decarbonisation efforts, seeking views around reducing emissions across all industries, building a net zero electricity grid and remaining competitive in a low carbon economy with a focus on green innovations.
Risk of inaction
If we fail to address the rising heat, several policy problems are likely to arise. More heat-related illnesses will strain healthcare systems and overwhelm healthcare facilities. Escalating economic costs due to productivity losses, damage to infrastructure, and increased energy demands for cooling will impose significant financial burdens. Moreover, social disparities will be exacerbated as vulnerable populations face disproportionate impacts from heat stress, deepening existing social inequalities.
Unmitigated climate change will increase the risk of floods, droughts and wildfires in Japan, according to research from
Deloitte and the
Bank of Japan. They estimate that climate change could reduce real GDP in Japan by 7 per cent by 2100. In the Philippines, the impact could be even greater with the World Bank predicting economic output could fall by 13.6 per cent by 2040. According to the UNDP Thailand is already experiencing rising temperatures, more frequent and severe floods, increased rainfall, and more severe droughts.
Big events that see mass gathering of people are at risk. In June, more than 1,000 people died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca due to temperatures soaring above 51 degrees Celsius. To combat the heat, authorities sprayed water over pilgrims, but this was not effective when the temperature exceeded 35 degrees Celsius, Reuters reported.
Essential steps
The path to effectively managing the heat crisis in Asia depends on several critical actions.
According to the Asian Development Bank, these essential steps include improving preparedness through comprehensive heat action plans, adopting heat-responsive building design standards, implementing risk-based land use management, enhancing employment and labour market regulations to protect workers from extreme heat, and scaling up investments in blue and green solutions as part of urban infrastructure development.
Many of these measures focus on adaptation, though mitigation measures would be more impactful on addressing the crux of climate change — reducing or preventing the emission of greenhouse gases to slow down global warming. This balance is a conundrum that policymakers face, said Professor Tan-Soo.
“Mitigation takes a long time for us to see the benefits, often long after policymakers have stepped down. The impacts are already being felt today, so adaptation is the rational thing to do for now. The question is, would they have the commitment and resources to additionally spend on mitigation?” he said.
Regardless, something must be done, even in the short term, as the need for action is real and urgent. Scientists have warned that the global temperature are likely to exceed 1.5% above pre-industrial levels within the
next 5 years, putting the Paris Agreement at risk. By taking these measures, Asian countries are demonstrating their commitment, but the battle to rein in climate change and mitigate the adverse impacts on populations and economies will require more collaborators and real action.