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Purpose
With climate change and environmental degradation being major issues in the world today, it is imperative for governments within a regional setting to collaborate on initiatives, harmonize their policies and develop strategies to counter threats. In South Asia, several attempts have been made to create a common framework for action in implementing synchronized policies. However, both political and technical deterrents have thwarted moves to accommodate priorities and interests of collaborating states. The purpose of this paper is to assess these issues and existing policies/strategies in selected South Asian countries and evaluate integrated plans of action based on collaborative partnerships.


Design/methodology/approach
Using a broad exploratory and interpretive approach, this paper evaluates how harmonization of environmental principles and synergies among countries can help reduce the effect of climate change and environmental hazards. Based on a review of ideas and concepts as well as both primary and secondary sources, including official records, legislation, inter-state and regional agreements, evaluation reports, impact studies (social, economic and ecological), and commentaries, it highlights several initiatives and processes geared to creating environmental protection standards and practices for the South Asian region.


Findings
Climate change has resulted in devastating impacts on people. It contributed to the proliferation of climate refugees and high incidence of poverty in South Asia. The region faces both political and technical obstacles in developing a sustainable approach to combat climate change. This is exacerbated by non-availability of information as well as reluctance to acknowledge the problem by key actors. The best strategy will be to integrate policies and regulations in the various countries of the region to develop strategic plans. The approach of prevention and protection should replace the existing emphasis on relief and rehabilitation.


Originality/value
The paper provides a critical overview of the climatic and environmental problems encountered in the South Asian region and provides pointers to resolving shared problems through the use of policy instruments for regulating the problems within the gamut of regional environmental governance. It attempts to identify solutions to offset regulatory and institutional barriers in achieving preferred results by emphasizing the need for redesigning regulatory structures and policy approaches for ecological well-being.

Purpose: With climate change and environmental degradation being major issues in the world today, it is imperative for governments within a regional setting to collaborate on initiatives, harmonize their policies and develop strategies to counter threats. In South Asia, several attempts have been made to create a common framework for action in implementing synchronized policies. However, both political and technical deterrents have thwarted moves to accommodate priorities and interests of collaborating states. The purpose of this paper is to assess these issues and existing policies/strategies in selected South Asian countries and evaluate integrated plans of action based on collaborative partnerships. Design/methodology/approach: Using a broad exploratory and interpretive approach, this paper evaluates how harmonization of environmental principles and synergies among countries can help reduce the effect of climate change and environmental hazards. Based on a review of ideas and concepts as well as both primary and secondary sources, including official records, legislation, inter-state and regional agreements, evaluation reports, impact studies (social, economic and ecological), and commentaries, it highlights several initiatives and processes geared to creating environmental protection standards and practices for the South Asian region. Findings: Climate change has resulted in devastating impacts on people. It contributed to the proliferation of climate refugees and high incidence of poverty in South Asia. The region faces both political and technical obstacles in developing a sustainable approach to combat climate change. This is exacerbated by non-availability of information as well as reluctance to acknowledge the problem by key actors. The best strategy will be to integrate policies and regulations in the various countries of the region to develop strategic plans. The approach of prevention and protection should replace the existing emphasis on relief and rehabilitation. Originality/value: The paper provides a critical overview of the climatic and environmental problems encountered in the South Asian region and provides pointers to resolving shared problems through the use of policy instruments for regulating the problems within the gamut of regional environmental governance. It attempts to identify solutions to offset regulatory and institutional barriers in achieving preferred results by emphasizing the need for redesigning regulatory structures and policy approaches for ecological well-being.

"This book focuses on the gendered experiences of environmental change across different geographies and social contexts in South Asia and on diverse strategies of adapting to climate variability.
The book analyzes how changes in rainfall patterns, floods, droughts, heatwaves and landslides affect those who are directly dependent on the agrarian economy. It examines the socio-economic pressures, including the increase in women's work burdens both in production and reproduction on gender relations. It also examines coping mechanisms such as male migration and the formation of women's collectives which create space for agency and change in rigid social relations. The volume looks at perspectives from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal to present the nuances of gender relations across borders along with similarities and differences across geographical,socio-cultural and policy contexts.
This book will be of interest to researchers and students of sociology, development, gender, economics, environmental studies and South Asian studies. It will also be useful for policymakers, NGOs and think tanks working in the areas of gender, climate change and development."

Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Contents -- Preface -- Chapter 1 - Introduction -- 1.1 - Philosophy of Climate Change -- 1.2 - Past Climate Changes -- 1.3 - Global Emission Scenario -- 1.4 - Why South Asia -- Chapter 2 - Scientific Assessment -- 2.1 - Causes of Climate Change -- 2.1.1 - Natural Causes -- 2.1.1.1 - Sunspots and Solar Radiation -- 2.1.1.2 - Sea Surface Temperature -- 2.1.1.3 - Volcanic Eruptions -- 2.1.2 - Anthropogenic Causes: Greenhouse Gas -- 2.1.2.1 - Carbon Dioxide -- 2.1.2.2 - Methane -- 2.1.2.3 - Nitrous Oxide -- 2.1.2.4 - Sulfur Dioxide -- 2.1.2.5 - Chlorofluorocarbons -- 2.1.2.6 - Water Vapor -- 2.1.3 - Anthropogenic Causes: Aerosols -- 2.1.4 - Anthropogenic Causes: Terrestrial -- 2.1.4.1 - Deforestation -- 2.1.4.2 - Livestock Management -- 2.2 - Impact of Climate Change -- 2.2.1 - Impact on Atmosphere and Ocean -- 2.2.1.1 - Temperature -- 2.2.1.2 - Cyclones and Storms -- 2.2.1.3 - Rainfall/Precipitation -- 2.2.1.4 - Melting of Glacier -- 2.2.1.5 - Sea Level Change -- 2.2.1.6 - Aquatic Acidification -- 2.2.2 - Impact on Land and Humanity -- 2.2.2.1 - Food and Agriculture -- 2.2.2.2 - Water -- 2.2.2.3 - Pollution -- 2.2.2.4 - Health -- 2.2.2.5 - Infrastructure and Economy -- 2.2.2.6 - Coastal Zone -- 2.2.2.7 - Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta (Sundarbans) -- 2.2.2.8 - Narmada-Tapti Estuary (Gulf Of Khambhat) -- 2.3 - A Quick Appraisal -- Chapter 3 - Political Ecology -- 3.1 - Carbon Politics: Two Schools -- 3.1.1 First School: Globe is Warming -- 3.1.2 Second School: Globe Is Not Warming -- 3.2 - Carbon Politics: Three Worlds -- 3.3 - Paris Agreement -- 3.4 - Future Strategy and South Asia -- Chapter 4 - Carbon Policy of South Asia -- 4.1 Policy and Strategy -- 4.1.1 - Afghanistan -- 4.1.2 - Bangladesh -- 4.1.3 - Bhutan -- 4.1.4 - India -- 4.1.5 - Maldives -- 4.1.6 - Nepal -- 4.1.7 - Pakistan

Chapter-01: Introduction -- Chapter -02: South Asia Region & its Urban Agglomerates -Changing Risk Characterization -- Chapter -03: Disaster Management Scenario of South Asia -- Chapter -04: Manifestations and Impacts of Climate Change in SAR -- Chapter -05 : Urban Setups in South Asia Region (SAR) under Climate Change induced Risk -- Chapter -06 : Challenges of Urbanisation led neo risks and vulnerabilities -- Chapter -07: Institutional Structure for DRR, CCA and Urban Governance -- Chapter -08: Conclusions and Future Perspective – A Road Map.

Introduction -- Theories of regional cooperation -- Climate change danger in South Asian countries -- SAARC policy initiatives for cooperation in climate change -- Responses of the SAARC member countries -- Climate change and regional cooperation in SAARC: problems and prospects -- Conclusion.

This open access book documents myriads of ways community-based climate change adaptation and resilience programs are being implemented in South Asian countries. The narrative style of writing in this volume makes it accessible to a diverse audience from academics and researchers to practitioners in various governmental, non-governmental and international agencies. At a time when climate change presents humanity with a gloomy future, the stories of innovation, creativity, grassroots engagement and locally applicable solutions highlighted in this book provides insights into hopeful ways of approaching climate solutions. South Asian countries have been dealing with the impact of climate change for decades and thus offer valuable learning opportunities for developing countries within and beyond the region as well as many western countries that are confronting the wrath of climate induced natural disasters more recently. SANDEE has been a pioneer in the development of research and training in environmental economics and related issues in South Asia and Prof Maler has been throughout SANDEE's history, its mentor, and its strongest supporter. Many young economists in South Asia have significantly benefited from Prof Maler's guidance and inputs. The present volume on "Climate Change and Community Resilience: Insights from South Asia" is a fitting tribute and an excellent reflection of Prof Maler's contributions to the SANDEE programme throughout his association. - Mahesh Banskota, Ph.D. Professor, Development Studies School of Arts, Kathmandu University This comprehensive volume aptly identifies grassroots initiatives as the core of the problem of adaptation to climate change. The analysis of the different experiments is lucid, inclusive, and full of interesting detail. The methodologies used and the subjects covered span a range of frameworks and narratives. Put together, the studies are a fitting tribute to Karl-Goran Maler, who spent years putting his impeccable expertise to use for the cause of enhancing research in South Asia. - Kanchan Chopra, Ph.D. Former Director and Professor, Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi, and Fellow, SANDEE The slow international policy response to climate change elevates the importance of understanding how communities can respond to climate change's many threats. This unusually accessible volume provides that understanding for South Asia while being relevant to the rest of the world. Its emphasis on research by scholars from the region makes it a wonderful tribute to Prof. Karl-Göran Mäler, who contributed so much to the growth of environmental economics research capacity in South Asia. - Jeffrey R. Vincent, Ph.D. Clarence F. Korstian Professor of Forest Economics & Management Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, USA