Climate change: Vulnerability and adaptation. The case of South-East Asia

This paper presents the main results of the Fifth Assessment Report of the IPCC, concerning climate change impacts, present and potential vulnerabilities in the biophysical and socioeconomic areas, and the possibilities to affront these through adaptation policies and actions in the Asian Southeast. Risk, vulnerabilities and adaptation options are presented, followed by an assessment of opportunities, resilience, and limits related to adaptation. Section 1. A of First Part characterizes observed impacts, vulnerability, exposure, and present adaptation responses. Section 1. B examines risks and opportunities. In the Second Part, Section 2. A considers the principles for an efficient adaptation, and the links between adaptation, mitigation and sustainable development; Section 2. B is cantered on regional cooperation mechanism on adaptation issues (APAN), as well as collaboration issues on subnational level and within the countries. The paper concludes that the prospective of resilient pathways to sustainable development are related closely to the transformation of economic, social, technological and political decisions and actions that simultaneously enhance the social and economic wellbeing and the responsible management of the environment.