Providing sufficient food faces challengesRice planting - picture from dialogue earth

Food & Climate

Concerns over the broader impacts of climate change to save sufficient food are rising Southeast Asia, with nearly 60 percent expecting their lives to be significantly affected within the next decade, according to the Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey 2024.

At the same time, rising food prices is team up with climate change are driving increasing levels of food insecurity across Southeast Asia countries.

The Southeast Asian Nations comprises 10 member countries: Brunei, Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. ASEAN’s combined population reached approximately 661 million in 2020, making it one of the most populous regions globally.

A survey links climate change to food insecurity showed that Southeast Asia faces growing food crisis.

A newly-released survey has linked climate change to rising food insecurity across Southeast Asia, with 70 percent of respondents reporting challenges securing sufficient food, according to a report seen by “Food & Climate” platform.

The 70 percent in this year’s climate survey, conducted by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, who reported challenges in securing sufficient food, marks a significant increase from 60 percent in 2023.

Save sufficient food

A large portion of these respondents, 42.5 percent, attribute the worsening situation to rising food prices, while 28.8 percent identify climate change as a key factor affecting sufficient food and availability.

The survey highlights how climate change is exacerbating food insecurity across the region, where extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, typhoons, and heat waves are becoming more frequent and severe.

The report underscores that the impacts of climate change are no longer a distant future concern but are already affecting people’s lives, particularly in terms of sufficient food and access.

Respondents’ concerns over the broader impacts of climate change are also rising, with nearly 60 percent expecting their lives to be significantly affected within the next decade.

Additionally, over half believe the health impacts of climate change will be severe, according to “Vatican news”.

The survey, which gathered responses from 2,931 individuals across all ten ASEAN countries, reflects a growing willingness among Southeast Asians to support climate action.

About seven in ten respondents expressed support for the implementation of national carbon taxes, with over 90 percent indicating they are willing to shoulder the personal costs that may arise from such taxes.

Vietnam (75 percent) and Indonesia (73.5 percent) had the highest levels of support for carbon taxes.

While concerns about food insecurity grow, the momentum for decarbonization continues to build, driven by both government action and individual commitment.

ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute Director and CEO, Choi Shing Kwok, highlighted that the findings “track regional climate perceptions over an important time period marked by the post-pandemic recovery, accelerated climate ambition, and rising geopolitical uncertainties.”

Population growing

The Southeast Asian region’s population is projected to continue growing, increasing pressure on food systems to ensure sufficient and nutritious food for all.

It is expected to reach 723 million people by 2030, according to the World Economic Forum, 2020.

Rapid population growth, increasing disposable income, urbanization, and changing dietary patterns are transforming the food consumption landscape in these countries.

It is widely acknowledged that “Southeast Asia’s rising incomes, growing population, and increasing urbanization have contributed to growth in livestock production and meat consumption, particularly poultry and pork”, according to (USDA Economic Research Service, 2019).

 This trend and population growth present significant challenges for sufficient food and food security in the region, according to “frontiers”.

Agriculture is pivotal in ASEAN economies, contributing significantly to GDP and employment rates.

 In 2020, agriculture constituted approximately 11% of the ASEAN region’s GDP, with some countries, like Cambodia and Myanmar, relying on it for over 20% of their national GDP. Additionally, agriculture remains a major source of employment in 2019 countries such as Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, where it accounted for more than 35% of total employment (Deloitte, 2022).

Traditionally centered around rice production, the sector has witnessed shifts in production activities, with rice’s share of agricultural production value declining and palm oil gaining prominence, driven by its higher value and dietary shifts. Southeast Asia’s agricultural landscape has also faced challenges posed by climate change, resulting in significant production losses of about $ 21 billion due to extreme weather events between 2008 and 2018, according to Asian Development Bank, 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted the sector, causing a 3.1% reduction in agricultural production and a 1.4% decrease in GDP in 2020.