Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research
Name	Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research
Formation	1990
Type	Intergovernmental research network
Headquarters	Kobe, Japan
Region served	Asia-Pacific
Membership	Regional governments, research institutions
Leader title	Executive Director

Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research is an intergovernmental research network focused on coordinating climate and global change science across the Asia-Pacific region. It supports collaborative projects, capacity building, and policy-relevant research linking regional bodies, academic institutions, and international organizations. The network facilitates transboundary cooperation among national agencies and multilateral entities to address environmental change and sustainable development challenges.

Overview

The network operates as a regional node connecting institutions such as United Nations Environment Programme, World Meteorological Organization, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Asian Development Bank, and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It brings together scientists affiliated with universities like University of Tokyo, Tsinghua University, Australian National University, National University of Singapore, and University of Auckland as well as institutes such as CSIRO, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. The network emphasizes interdisciplinary projects linking research on climate change, biodiversity, water resources, coastal zones, and sustainable development across archipelagos, river basins, and megacities including Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila, Mumbai, and Shanghai.

History and Development

Conceived during dialogues involving United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiators and regional science ministers, the network was formalized with support from agencies such as Japan International Cooperation Agency, Government of Japan, and the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Early collaboration drew on programs like International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme and Global Change System for Analysis, Research and Training, and partnerships with research centers including Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation research committees and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Over successive strategic plans the network expanded project portfolios to include themes present in frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Governance and Membership

The governance structure includes representatives from member economies, research councils, and national academies such as Royal Society, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Indian National Science Academy, Australian Academy of Science, and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Decision-making occurs in meetings akin to ministerial forums and science advisory panels resembling the structure of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change working groups. Membership comprises national governments and affiliated institutions from entities including China, India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Republic of Korea, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Pacific island states like Fiji and Samoa.

Research Programs and Initiatives

The network funds competitive projects addressing topics similar to international initiatives such as Future Earth, Belmont Forum, and Global Environment Facility investments. Focal areas include climate impacts in deltas exemplified by the Mekong Delta, glacier retreat studies in the Himalayas, coastal vulnerability in locations like Bay of Bengal and Coral Triangle, urban heat island research in Shanghai and Mumbai, and transboundary air pollution analyses referencing episodes like the 1997 Southeast Asian haze. Projects often integrate methods from groups such as International Council for Science programs and utilize datasets analogous to those maintained by NOAA and European Space Agency.

Capacity Building and Education

Capacity-building activities mirror training efforts by World Bank and Asian Development Bank programs, delivering workshops, fellowships, and summer schools in collaboration with universities including Seoul National University, Peking University, University of the Philippines, and University of Colombo. Educational outreach has aligned with curricula influenced by Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission training modules and exchanges with centers like International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center and CIFOR. The network supports early-career researchers through grant schemes and mentorship models akin to those used by the National Science Foundation and regional scholarship programs.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding sources combine government contributions, competitive grants, and partnerships with multilateral agencies such as United Nations Development Programme, World Bank, and philanthropic organizations like the Wellcome Trust and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Collaborative frameworks often reference agreements similar to Paris Agreement priorities and engage with consortia including Belmont Forum and regional bodies such as Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Pacific Islands Forum. Implementation relies on partnerships with research institutions, non-governmental organizations like WWF and Conservation International, and technical partners including NASA and European Commission research initiatives.

Impact and Notable Outputs

Notable outputs include regionally coordinated assessment reports, datasets on vulnerability in coastal megacities, capacity-building alumni who have advanced to leadership roles in institutions like Asian Development Bank and national science agencies, and policy briefs influencing adaptation measures in river basins such as the Ganges and Mekong. The network’s funded studies have been cited alongside publications from Nature, Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and reports by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, contributing evidence used in national adaptation plans and disaster risk reduction strategies under the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Its legacy includes strengthened research networks connecting actors from India, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific island states.

Category:International scientific organizations Category:Environmental research organizations Category:Asia-Pacific organizations