Over the past five years Asia has witnessed unprecedented heatwaves, with countries like Bangladesh recording temperatures up to 43.8°C in 2024, leading to nationwide school closures affecting tens of millions of children. Similarly, the 2024 Southeast Asia heatwave saw heat indices peaking at 53°C in the Philippines, exacerbating drought conditions and straining energy resources. In 2022, India and Pakistan faced one of their most severe heatwaves, resulting in significant agricultural losses – the effects of which are still being felt – and highlighting the vulnerability of food systems.

Water scarcity

Similarly telling is the Himalayan region, often referred to as Asia's water tower, which has recently experienced a 23-year low in snowfall, threatening the freshwater supply for approximately 2bn people. This decline impacts on major river basins like the Ganges across Northern India and the Mekong which winds through multiple Southeast Asian countries affecting agriculture, hydropower and drinking water.

Climate-induced disasters elsewhere too have led to substantial economic losses. In 2022 alone, Asia faced over 80 climate-related disasters, resulting in thousands of fatalities and affecting 50mn people sources in India highlight. Additionally, a study on extreme heat highlighted that climate change has significantly increased extreme heat risks for pregnant women globally, with India witnessing an average increase of six such days annually.

Public perception improving

Public concern across Asia about climate change, once one of the major obstacles in addressing it is growing. A survey conducted between December 2024 and February 2025 revealed that over half of Indian adults are deeply concerned about climate impacts, The Times of India reported at the time, with many saying they have personally experienced extreme weather events like heatwaves and water shortages.

Asia Climate Summit 2025

In response to these challenges, the still little known Asia Climate Summit 2025, an offshoot of sorts of global COP meetings, is set to convene in Bangkok from July 8-10 and aims to foster collaboration among governments, experts and stakeholders in much the same way as the now annual gathering of all countries at COP events.

Key agenda items include scaling up carbon markets, mobilising climate finance and exploring nature-based solutions like REDD+ and blue carbon initiatives says the Asia Climate Summit.

The summit whilst still a concept in its infancy having debuted in India earlier in the 2020s will also look at advancements in carbon dioxide removal technologies and the role of artificial intelligence in climate solutions across the continent, in what is being billed as a pivotal opportunity for regional leaders to align strategies, share innovations and commit to actionable solutions. If they take the opportunity and run with it, Asia still has a chance to pull back from the brink. If not, thousands more will perish as a direct result of climate-induced phenomena in the years ahead.