The Second Asia Pacific Seminar on Climate Change - Section 6

6.SEMINAR RECOMMENDATIONS

(Item 8 of the agenda)

1. The climate change scenario models should be adapted to the regional scale. The capacities of experts from the countries of the Asian and Pacific region should be developed for the adaptation and application of these models.

2. Research should be directed towards the improvement of models and methodologies for the evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions and their impacts to provide a reliable basis for decision-making.

3. Regional cooperation should be promoted through information exchange, training, and capacity building, particularly through strengthening institutions on climate responses.

4. Catalytic actions should be promoted by regional and international organizations to reform policies at the national level through pricing, use of economic instruments, and incentives.

5. A system of continuous monitoring and updating should be developed to improve data and methods for estimating greenhouse gas emissions.

6. Greenhouse gas emission control measures and sink enhancement should be applied under a consistent long-range policy.

7. A regional environment fund should be established to include combating adverse impacts of climate change.

8. The most cost-effective means for reducing emissions or enhancing sinks should be identified and pursued effectively by the national governments of the region.

9. Infrastructure support for climate monitoring, including the capacity for monitoring greenhouse gases, should be strengthened.

10. Monetary estimates of impacts should be provided where it is feasible to do so, and these estimates should be used as a complement to any physical description of the consequences of climate change, e.g. the number of people displaced because of flooding, rising sea levels, or effects on biodiversity.

11. Research should be promoted for development of database on climate change.

12. Relevant work on mitigation options with respect to the impacts of climate change should be promoted. The options should take into consideration the situation of the Asia Pacific region including labor costs, suitable technology options, and operational conditions.

13. Mechanisms should be promoted to ensure access to cost-effective technologies and methodologies for minimizing greenhouse gas emissions in the Asian and Pacific region.

14. In ranking the options to combat sea level rise, preference should be given to the viable options suited to the needs of each individual country.