Changing perspectives – rivers, regions & renewables

Extreme heatwaves have been making headlines from Europe to Asia and closest to home is news that the North China plain will be hit by fatal heatwaves by 2100. Perspectives are changing. Indeed, this is what is needed to solve our water and climate challenges. Positively rivers are already benefiting as seen by the Sino-Swiss joint project to enhance water management & climate adaptation in the Jinsha River Basin. Hear from the experts on lessons learnt & what’s next. Meanwhile, Professor Zhao Jianshi from Tsinghua University outlines the benefits from transboundary cooperation, especially during dry times using the Lancang-Mekong River Basin as an example. A river and a region, the Yangtze River Economic Belt just had its first ever basin-wide environmental audit, which we review. Plus, check out 3 things to know about Hunan province, which connects the Yangtze’s upper and lower reaches. Meanwhile, the Greater Bay Area’s 12% GDP contribution is at risk due to climate change. How can green finance help? See our takeaways from the HKUST conference. Changes are happening in renewables too, though not as fast as wanted in China. To remedy this China is releasing its first ever renewable energy quotas along with Renewable Energy Power Certificates. We explore what these mean. These changing perspectives are encouraging that we will be able to make the shift to a business unusual future in Asia, which still needs to grow on limited resources. Get on top of this shift at our event “Asia Water-nomics: More GDP with Less Water & Pollution” on August 29th at World Water Week 2018 in Stockholm.