Local networks in climate response

𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮? 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. 🔑🌏 Lasting climate impact in #Asia will only come when we put trust and resources in the hands of local leaders. Effective action must be holistic: rooted in indigenous wisdom, responsive to local realities, and attentive to the interconnected social, economic, and community dimensions of resilience. Locally-grown solutions reflect cultural context, societal priorities, and the complex interplay shaping how climate action works on the ground – details often missed by global or Western-centric approaches. That’s the key to 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 #climatesolutions – ensuring no one is left behind in the net-zero transition. Empowering communities most at risk and giving them a seat at the table builds resilience alongside equity and opportunity. 👉 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Home to the majority of the world’s population, rapidly growing economies, and communities on the frontlines of climate risk, it’s also where some of the most innovative, context-driven climate responses are emerging. However, 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝟭𝟳% 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆- 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 in recent years. With geopolitical headwinds stalling climate ambition elsewhere, the opportunity to do more is huge. Now is the moment for bold regional leadership. For governments, businesses, and philanthropic organisations to align behind Asia’s locally-led climate agenda. By supporting local innovators, strengthening community networks, and unlocking catalytic finance, we can scale impact from the ground up. We can already see powerful examples taking place, from regenerative rice farming, to enterprises driving clean energy adoption in rural areas. These stories remind us that solutions 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱. The next phase depends on 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. If all of us work together, we can empower Asia’s changemakers and accelerate the shift to a more sustainable future. 🌏 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝘁. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. The challenge is ensuring they have the trust, resources, and visibility to scale. 💬 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮? Comment below to collaborate with One Earth Summit OHG and join our mission to scale the region’s most promising climate solutions. 💡Follow Poman Lo for more insights. #NetZeroFundersTable #ClimateSolutions #LocalLeadership #InclusiveGrowth #SDG

Dryland regions, which make up over 40% of the Earth’s land surface and support more than 2 billion people globally, are among the world's most climate-sensitive and socio-politically marginalised areas. Characterised by high interannual rainfall variability, weak infrastructure, and limited access to services, these regions are uniquely vulnerable to climate extremes, particularly droughts, which account for more than 80% of disasters in arid and semi-arid zones (UNCCD, 2022). Anticipatory action (AA), defined as pre-emptive measures taken before a predicted hazard materialises, has gained global traction in response to the rising frequency of shocks. It is now embedded in Forecast-based Financing (FbF), Early Warning Early Action (EWEA) frameworks, and anticipatory humanitarian aid pilots by the IFRC, FAO, WFP, and Start Network. These systems typically rely on triggers such as rainfall anomalies, vegetation stress, or IPC classifications, and are intended to release funds before a shock becomes a humanitarian crisis. Most anticipatory frameworks prioritise model-based, probabilistic forecasts from meteorological and satellite data. While technically sophisticated, these systems frequently fail to engage with the knowledge systems already used by local populations. Dryland communities have developed complex ecological observation methods, including biological indicators, seasonal memory, and mobility strategies, to detect and respond to early signs of stress. These approaches, however, are rarely recognised, formalised, or resourced in national or international anticipatory systems. Research in regions such as the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and Central Asia shows that anticipatory behaviours at the community level often precede formal alerts (e.g., Hermans & McLeman, 2021; FAO, 2020). Yet, without validation by scientific metrics, these actions are excluded from planning, funding, or coordination. This creates a persistent disconnect between institutional forecasts and lived realities. If anticipatory action is to succeed in drylands, it must be grounded in plural knowledge systems, not just imported science. This does not mean rejecting meteorology, but instead designing systems that: 1. Co-produce risk thresholds with local actors; 2. Recognise non-probabilistic indicators, including ecological, cultural, and spiritual signs; 3. Build trust and decentralised ownership of early action protocols; 4. Allocate resources to strengthen local anticipatory capacities—not bypass them. Innovation in anticipatory action must begin by asking: Whose knowledge counts? If the answer continues to exclude dryland communities and their ways of knowing, then anticipatory systems will remain too late, rigid, and narrow to meet the challenges ahead. #AnticipatoryAction #Drylands #ClimateResilience #KnowledgePluralism #ForecastBasedFinancing #EarlyWarningSystems #UNCCD #ClimateAdaptation #HumanitarianInnovation #GlobalSouth

India’s climate landscape is evolving rapidly, outpacing our R&D efforts. How has it changed and what can we do? Read my Op-Ed @ Hindustan Times on why “a local early warning mission is as important to the Earth’s future as any space mission” Download and Read: https://lnkd.in/dFxAZNyT _____________ As I receive the national science award, I emphasize the urgency of becoming "Climate-Equipped to Future-Proof Our World." ⦾ Future-proofing is no longer about jobs, finances or development—it's about climate readiness. The sooner we get it, the better our chances for survival. ⦾ We need to move beyond forecasts. We require localized early warning missions for landslides and flash floods and climate-sensitive diseases like Dengue. This necessitates an R&D institution for data exchange, inter-ministerial cooperation, and effective disaster management. ⦾ A proactive approach is needed, as reactive disaster management responses to forecasts do not always save lives. We need to disaster-proof regions at the district and panchayat levels. We have the technology and capacity to achieve this—we also need the will to implement it. ⦾ Publicly funded data should be available in the public domain. Poor implementation of our data accessibility policy has created barriers to transdisciplinary research. We need an urgent push to make India’s data accessible, ensuring it supports research and decision-making. ⦾ Climate adaptation requires collective action, with local communities playing a crucial role. Educating people about climate risks and engaging them in disaster preparedness can enhance response strategies. By involving communities, we strengthen our climate resilience. ⦾ A multilayered approach is needed as India stands at a critical juncture in its climate journey. By investing in early warning systems, ensuring data accessibility, and proactive policies, we can mitigate the impacts of climate change and safeguard the most vulnerable.

Rethinking Climate Action: Lessons from the Local Level When we talk about climate action, national policies usually get the spotlight. But real, tangible progress often starts in cities and regions—where decisions directly shape how people live, move, and build. A growing number of local governments and industry leaders are proving that sustainability is not just a goal—it’s a practical path toward healthier communities, more efficient infrastructure, and resilient economies. From green buildings to zero-emission transit systems, the shift is happening where it matters most: close to the people. A few key insights: ✅ Local climate action isn’t waiting for national direction. Cities are setting their own emissions targets, updating building codes, and investing in green spaces—all while creating jobs and reducing public health risks. ✅ Sustainable mobility starts with design. Avoiding the need for cars and shifting to clean transport options (like electric buses or bike infrastructure) is proving both feasible and impactful. ✅ Buildings are a huge part of the puzzle. Forward-thinking developers and municipalities are reimagining how we construct and operate the spaces we live and work in—tackling both energy use and material emissions. ✅ Electric transport is scaling fast. From freight trucks to two-wheelers, electrification is opening doors for cleaner urban logistics, especially in emerging economies. ✅ Investment needs to match ambition. The scale of opportunity at the local level is massive—but underfunded. Unlocking real progress will require targeted, inclusive investment that flows to where it can make the most impact. The big takeaway? Climate innovation isn’t just about policy—it’s about people, systems, and the courage to lead where you are. The future is being built from the ground up.

C40 cities reduced per capita emissions by 7.5% between 2015 and 2024. While nations debate, cities deliver. I've seen this pattern across 60+ countries. From Kazakhstan's startup ecosystem to mountain communities in Nepal - local leaders move first. They don't wait for permission. They don't wait for consensus. They act. When I was building ecosystems across Asia, the breakthrough moments never came from top-down mandates. They came from mayors, community leaders, and local champions who saw problems and solved them. Climate action works the same way. Cities understand something nations forget: people live locally. They breathe local air. They drink local water. They face local floods. Local problems demand local solutions. The mountain communities I work with don't wait for global climate agreements. They build early warning systems. They relocate vulnerable populations. They adapt their farming practices. Because survival is local. Your city, your community, your block - that's where climate action starts. Not in conference rooms. Not in policy papers. In the place you call home. #ClimateAction #LocalLeadership #CitiesLead

From hotter temperatures and extreme weather to rising sea levels and declining water supplies, climate change is impacting people, ecosystems, and livelihoods worldwide. Every person, plant, and creature on this planet is affected. We have a narrow path to avoid climate catastrophe. Human-induced warming has already reached about 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels. To avoid dangerous warming of more than 1.5°C, we must take decisive action, enacting rapid and large-scale cuts to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Unfortunately, based on the national climate pledges submitted in the lead-up to COP-26 in 2021, the world is well off course. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates we are expected to reach 1.5-1.6°C of warming by 2040. The consequences will be severe. The Role of Local, Regional, and Urban Actors With little time remaining, countries must use every tool at their disposal to pivot to a low-carbon future while building resilience and adaptive capacity. While national governments must drive decisive action, every region, city, and village plays a fundamental role. Local authorities are closest to the people and best equipped to implement climate policies and engage communities in meaningful climate action. Local and regional governments are not only providers of essential services but also influential leaders in their communities. Civil society and private sector partners at city, state, and regional levels are crucial for achieving ambitious emissions reduction, adaptation, and resilience targets. To realize and raise climate ambition, countries must adopt an all-in, whole-of-government, cross-sectoral approach with integration between local, national, and global levels. This includes the active participation of women, youth, indigenous groups, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and the private sector. Concrete examples of local climate action include efforts to make buildings more energy-efficient, increase access to clean energy, and develop low-carbon public transport. Communities can scale up sustainable waste management, produce more food locally, create greener cities, and leverage nature-based solutions. These efforts can significantly impact national and global emissions reduction efforts while boosting local economies. Local Action Under the Climate Promise UNDP supports climate action across all levels of government. The Climate Promise initiative, launched in 2019, has helped 120 countries enhance their climate pledges. At COP26 in 2021, UNDP launched the second phase, 'From Pledge to Impact,' to scale up support for turning NDC targets into concrete action. https://lnkd.in/dNHFG-kx #ClimateAction #Sustainability #LocalLeadership #UNDP #ClimatePromise #NDCs #GreenFuture

When we talk about #climateaction, the focus is often on infrastructure, technology, and policy. Yet the most resilient societies rely on something less visible but equally critical: strong #communities. In the #MiddleEast, social cohesion has long been a natural resilience system enabling faster recovery from shocks, safeguarding livelihoods, and keeping value within local economies. Examples from the region show the power of community in climate resilience: - Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia: Farmers have revived ancient irrigation systems, sharing water resources collectively. This heritage-based approach reduces drought vulnerability while strengthening cultural identity. - Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia: Fishing communities regulate catch levels through local agreements that align with national marine protection, helping ecosystems adapt to rising sea temperatures. - Liwa, UAE: Date farming cooperatives pool resources for irrigation and storage, protecting livelihoods during extreme heat. These are examples showing that climate resilience is built as much through social infrastructure as physical infrastructure. In preparing for the future, investing in people’s connections, culture, and shared responsibility is as important as any technical solution. Strong communities are not just part of the solution, they are the foundation of it. #resilience #sustainability #adaptation #socialsustainability #CenterforSustainableFuture Elie El Khoury Mario Sanchez Ibrahim Saleh Farah Assaad Valentin Lavaill Kearney Kearney Middle East and Africa