The stark warning from the recent COP30 summit in Belem, Brazil, has resonated deeply in South Asia. The world has now crossed the critical 1.5°C warming threshold, and the time for decisive, collective action is rapidly shrinking. In response, a group of parliamentarians from some of the region's most vulnerable nations is issuing a powerful call for a new era of climate solidarity.
A Unified Front Against a Shared Threat
The authors, lawmakers from India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, argue that South Asia's shared geography and interconnected ecosystems make it uniquely vulnerable, but also uniquely positioned to act as one. They warn that by 2050, the region could face annual economic losses of nearly 1.8 per cent of its GDP due to extreme heat, sea-level rise, floods, and droughts. These are not just economic figures; they represent irreversible damage to lives, livelihoods, and centuries-old cultural traditions.
With the existing Paris Agreement framework failing to deliver the required scale of ambition, the demand for a Global South-led approach is growing. The MPs propose a concrete solution: regional climate multilateralism. This would allow countries to pool their scale, resources, knowledge, and technological capabilities across various sectors, creating a force multiplier against climate impacts.
Building the South Asian Climate Cooperation Council (SACCC)
The cornerstone of their proposal is the establishment of a dedicated regional body, tentatively named the South Asian Climate Cooperation Council (SACCC). This is not a call to ignore past challenges in regional cooperation but to learn from them. The MPs point to successful precedents like the Quad's formation after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and mutual aid during the Nepal earthquake and the Maldives water crisis.
The proposed SACCC would stand on three foundational pillars:
1. A Regional Knowledge and Innovation Hub: This network of co-managed centres would leverage each nation's strengths. For instance, the Maldives could host a hub for coastal resilience focusing on coral restoration and maritime renewable energy. Sri Lanka could share expertise from its '30x30' and mangrove conservation initiatives. Bhutan's Gelephu Mindful City project and India's Mission LiFE could guide sustainable urban and behavioural shifts, while India's technical prowess could accelerate regional renewable energy and grid integration.
2. A South Asia Green Climate Finance Facility: Recognizing that implementation hinges on accessible funding, this mechanism would pool regional resources and enhance the capacity to absorb international climate finance. By collaborating with institutions like the Asian Development Bank or the Green Climate Fund, it could issue bonds, offer risk-mitigation tools, and create a robust portfolio of bankable projects to attract global investment.
3. A Scientific Commission for South Asia: This independent body would provide evidence-based guidance on the necessary scale and speed of climate action. It would identify cost-effective, high-impact interventions, support research and development, promote crucial data sharing, and harness the best scientific institutions across the region.
The Path Forward: From Energy Grids to Climate Security
The proposal builds on existing, though limited, successes in regional collaboration. The 2014 SAARC Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation laid groundwork for cross-border electricity trade. A tangible example is the operational power transaction sending electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid. Broader initiatives like One Sun One World One Grid also present opportunities for deeper energy integration among India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.
The MPs conclude that a homegrown, South Asian institutional response is no longer optional. It is an urgent necessity to secure a peaceful, prosperous, and climate-resilient future for the entire region. By establishing formal mechanisms for cooperation, South Asia can transform its shared vulnerability into collective strength, setting a powerful example of climate multilateralism led by the Global South.
