Action on Climate Today

ACT (Action on Climate Today) is working to reduce the effects of climate change in South Asia. The initiative is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and managed by Oxford Policy Management. It brings together two existing DFID programmes: the Climate Proofing Growth and Development (CPGD) programme, and the Climate Change Innovation Programme (CCIP).

South Asia is being seriously affected by climate change, and the impact will only get worse as time goes on. By 2050, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that higher temperatures and greater temperature extremes will hit the region. Furthermore, rainfall is likely to become more erratic, with some areas receiving more than they do now and others suffering more frequent and serious droughts.

Over the same period, the population of the region is expected to expand from 1.6 to 2.2 billion. Coupled with rapid economic growth and urbanisation – and the effects of climate change – this will be a great challenge to governments seeking sustainable development for their citizens.