Attachments
BACKGROUND
Climate change has been called a “profound existential threat” for the Asia-Pacific region (UNDP, 2024). Indeed, those living in the region are six times more likely to be affected by climate hazards and disasters than those living elsewhere (EM-DAT, 2024), while climate-related shocks cause more damage in the region than the rest of the world, with average annual losses amounting to $924 billion (USD), or 2.9% of GDP (UN-ESCAP, 2023). At the same time, the region has amongst the highest prevalence of all forms of malnutrition in the world, with persistently high levels of undernutrition and a rapid, alarming rise in overweight, obesity, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In fact, more the majority of the world’s stunted children (52%), more than 70% of children affected by wasting, and nearly half of children under f ive who are overweight call the region home (UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank, 2023).
AIM AND METHODS
The overall aim of this report was to investigate and assess the direct and indirect effects of climate change on all forms of malnutrition in the Asia-Pacific region, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations, to inform the integration of nutrition-focused strategies into the World Food Programme’s (WFP) climate response system in countries most at risk. This aim was achieved by conducting a literature review, ten key informant interviews, and data mapping.
FINDINGS
Without mitigation strategies, climate change will dramatically increase the prevalence of all forms of malnutrition in Asia-Pacific
Available predictions paint a stark picture in Asia-Pacific:
• The percentage of the population which is undernourished will nearly double by 2050.
• An additional 11.2 million children will become undernourished.
• An additional 2 million children will be stunted.
• More than 400,000 will die climate-related deaths.
• 44 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) will be lost due to nutritional deficiencies.1
In short, this report highlights a stark increase in malnutrition outcomes in the region, including stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies, as well as likely obesity and NCD outcomes, necessitating urgent mitigation strategies.